Positive occupational health assessment

[Summerrain14]

I had a telephone based occupational health assessment yesterday for work. The person knew her stuff. Recommendations have been made to reduce the hours of my working days if possible with a slightly later start and finish. To remain on four day working week too. Assistance from access to work for a work based desk assessment and dragon dictate software to reduce the typing. More support for taxis to work from home. Regularly breaks and being able to work from home where possible during a flare up. Regular meetings with manager to ensure I am managing. Report sent to me last night. Declared fit to work with these reasonable adjustments. So happy. I was so anxious about my occupational health assessment but so pleased I did. NRAS were amazing with their support too. Assessor really seem to get pain and fatigue too. So thankful. 😊

[Hidden]

Summerrain14 that is so good to hear and I bet it made you feel GOOD! x

[Summerrain14 in reply to Hidden]

It is such a relief. I was pretty anxious about it all. x

[Hidden in reply to Summerrain14]

I have been working with my HR and my immediate boss and sometimes have felt having an assessment would be easier but it does depend on who is being used as the assessors. Though they have been really good at work the understanding is not always there no matter how hard they try. Did request one before COVID hit but will see what happens the other side of it.

[Summerrain14 in reply to Hidden]

HR and my current manager are also very supportive too which is great. They encouraged me to have an occupational health assessment to ensure they are supporting me the best way they can. Completely agree with depends on who is being used. I hope that you do get a referral to occupational health. The assessor yesterday said that it is good to have an official document on my records to protect me as If I had a manager in the future who was not supportive they would legally have to follow the recommendations in the report. Recommendations have also been made for my HR department to be more flexible if any sickness triggers happen and to allow me any time off for medical appointments too. Which in all fairness my current manager and HR advisor do.I had a real battle with a previous manager though who told me I would have to make up any time I had taken for hospital appointments. x

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to Summerrain14]

This sounds really good..and will really help you on with. I’m currently waiting for a OH referral and my situation sounds very much like mine and these are basically the recommendation that I would like whilst waiting for a hand operation, that’s unlikely to happen now for a while. Can employers reduce your wages for a 4 day week though or can you have it as a reasonable adjustment..whatever the case if it’s needed it’s needed. Stay well x

[Summerrain14 in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

Sorry for the delay, working from home so just catching up with daIly life things. Yes my income will be reduced for doing a four day week. Not sure about the late starts and earlier finishes but will let you know when I speak with HR and or my manager. Hope you hear something soon. Stay safe x

[Hidden in reply to Summerrain14]

Summerrain14 what my employers have done to reduce impact of reduced pay is used my company sick pay allowance each week. So we have broken it down into hours then each week we work out what I have worked and the balance covered by company sock pay. This has meant I have for 5 months received total full pay plus used a few holiday allowance up.

This is being done whilst I am sorted on meds.

[Summerrain14 in reply to Hidden]

Aww that’s really good. Not sure if this is an option for me and wasn’t offered when we discussed a reduction of my working hours to 28 hours a week. I am not sure if my manager or HR following receiving the occupational health report will contact me. I suspect so and will ask my manager about this. I am receiving working tax credits so not sure how things will work out as usually takes around a month for it to be assessed. Understandably it may take longer at the moment. Really appreciate you sharing this with me though. x

[Hidden in reply to Summerrain14]

Well with everything going on and how they are doing the pay during COVID worth remembering in case it hits you hard!

[Summerrain14 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much. I never even thought about asking. Daft I know. I’ll have a chat with my manager.

[KittyJ]

That’s sounds really good 😊

[Pippy25]

So refreshing to hear Summerrain and glad you will be getting the assistance you need.

[Hidden]

That’s a huge relief for you . Good to here a bit of good news x

[Summerrain14 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much. x

[springcross]

Really pleased for you Summerrain. x