Help please.

[Patsy-57]

I was gob smacked last week when my boss said he wanted me to have an occupational health assessment. Also no ill health retirement only if you have a terminal illness. I said I would like to contact my Union for advice. This just came out of the blue.

[popsmith1874]

Hi yes contact your Union and get in touch with occupational therapist if you have one, he's talking crap and just another manager who doesn't understand the problems we face day in day out

[Patsy-57 in reply to popsmith1874]

Sounded crap to me too and as I once said to my GP when she asked if work was supportive my reply was they pay lip service to it.

[medway-lady]

Don't know how many he employs bt this does not sound right. I'd go to a solicitor specialising in employment law. But first stop call the CAB and Google the employment bit of Direct Gov for the first bit of advice. Do not just agree but find out your rights first you might want to have a friend present as he seems to be trying to intimidate you by this sudden action. Try to find out your legal rights the NRAS do offer advice and that would be a great first step too. Unions can be great but I still would ask for more advice. 

[Patsy-57]

Thanks for your reply I won't budge and have said I want my Union present in future meetings.

[swapshop]

Sorry you're having a hard time, I don't know the background to your circumstances and your work don't sound too supportive, but i have found an OH referral really helpful for work.  It can be a good opportunity to understand what reasonable adjustments can be put in place and for me it helped that a third party agreed the changes.  At my work it is for the employee to decide whether OH can contact their doctor and the flip side is that the employer doesn't have to give adjustments if I haven't been involved with the process and chosen to take up their offer so that they can help me.  Hope you can get it sorted with support 

[Patsy-57]

Thank you for your reply.

[oldtimer]

I'm sure that the occupational health people will know more about retirement on medical grounds than your manager (by the sound of it!) 

An OH assessment is often very valuable and can help you stay in work with modifications to your workload, workplace, etc. 

But if you have a hostile manager, keep a record of everything that is said, dated and recorded immediately afterwards. Perhaps ask if you can record any discussions (think of a tactful way of asking like "I would like to be able to think about the suggestions that are made in more depth, so is it all right if I record our discussion?")

[Patsy-57]

Thank you so much. Already thinking of keeping notes and started to use email as paper evidence. Your advice was really helpful.

[Chrissycl]

I am just going through the process of ill health retirement, I work in education and my Head has been very supportive, The first step is an OH appointment and its them who decide on wether I am bad enough for ill health retirement. They have an independent  medical panel  I have to see  then reports from my Rhuematoligst and my GP. Its not guaranteedthat I will get it but at least the possibility is there.

[Patsy-57]

Many thanks For your reply.