occupational health

[Florah]

Good morning,

I’m in a really fast pace, demanding , full on job within children’s social care. I’m currently on probation, and struggling why the role. Managers aren’t supportive, always see negative. They’re referring me to occupational health. Any advice or ways to support?

Thank you

[Wired123]

unfortunately probation is quite a precarious position to be in. If I were you I would suggest taking some advice from a lawyer. Typically companies can end your employment without having to give good reason, there is no recourse to appeal until you have two years’ service (thank the current Foreign Secretary for that law he passed with he became PM).

However if you can prove some kind of discrimination (Sex, race, disability) you can take court action.

If occupational health can deem you have a long term condition this can be classed as a “disability” which they cannot discriminate against.

As you say the managers are not supportive, they could use the occupational health report against you to push you out. If you have a great employer they may use the report to find ways of supporting you.

I would strongly suggest legal advice to protect your position and also get some guidance on what you say and don’t say at the occ health assessment.

Please remember HR is ultimately on the company‘s side not the employee’s - even though they may say otherwise. Also occupational health is paid for by the company, no prizes for guessing whose side they are on.

[HealthStarDust]

Contact ACAS, or CAB, or Union if you have one. Or, google for any specialist retention employment advice in your area. Many are attached to health services such as talking therapies in the NHS these days or related services.

Occupational Health may advise on any number of aspects of your health including reasonable adjustments, however, ultimately it comes down to you and your manager to decide if you are well enough to carry out your role and duties including with support and occupational health recommendations just as a GPs can be ignored.

Here’s a link of reasonable adjustments and related information for disability and work scope.org.uk/advice-and-sup... (assuming you would be defined as disabled and your employer can be reasonably expected to know of your disability… complicated area, best peak to the experts).

Without knowing the circumstances of your situation, that’s all I can suggest. Going forward, it may be an idea to join a disability forum or network.

Meanwhile, I sense you are feeling vulnerable with it all? Take care of yourself and perhaps consider taking sick leave if needed to look after yourself.