HR taking the Mickey!
Posted , 12 users are following.
Hi. Was due to have my op on February 7th 2018 but just prior to it had to meet with the anaesthetist. She took my BP several times and it was 214/115...."in stroke category" apparently. She rang my doctor who fitted me in immediately, started me on BP tablets & signed me off work. Six weeks of check ups & tablet increases brought my BP down. I had my op on April 3rd. My wound did not heal well & I was in hospital for 11days. I am now almost 4 weeks in, in alot of pain, not sleeping, feeling really down. Last week, my line manager paid me a welfare visit. Yesterday I received a letter from HR saying another welfare meeting has been planned for Fri 4th May @ our education offices around 15 miles away. That I should be aware that it is a formal meeting to discuss this absence and my options and can bring a union rep with me!!! I find it utterly insensitive and ludicrous....I cannot drive, can barely dress myself & get to the toilet let alone attend a meeting many miles away!! I am feeling so so depressed and stressed & cannot sleep. I have other health issues due to a non functioning pituitary tumor in 2002 and am supposedly covered by the disability act but rarely is any notice taken of this. I have a doctor's note until June 10th at least. Has anyone else had this problem? I am beside myself with worry. Am I within my rights to request postponement of the meeting for several weeks whilst I recover? Kim
0 likes, 35 replies
pattiecake kim87231
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kim87231 pattiecake
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A very good suggestion...I will ask.my union tomorrow & let you know what they say.
kim87231
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My union said that apparently they are within their rights to request a meeting despite a doctor's note. I have been advised to request postponement based on availability of my union rep but still waiting for a return phonecall from her! My BP is high again & feeling awful. Rather fed up.
mick141959 kim87231
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kim87231 pattiecake
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Thanks for your reply. Spoke to my union & they said that if I refused to attend, they could hold the meeting without me being present!!! Also they can ask me to attend a meeting despite having a doctor's note. Apparently best way forward is to ask for postponement based on availability of my union rep..but am still waiting to hear from her. I wish I could just focus on my recovery rather than this.....it's causing me such stress! My BP is back up (keeping a record now) and can't seem to relax at all.
missmagwumps kim87231
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I think the key word here is your a not REFUSING - just unable to attend due to your mobility limitations after major surgery aka a Total Knee Replacement ! Ask for a postponement until after your certificate expires and no doubt your GP will give you another one!
Hope your union comes up trumps - after all - that's what you pay yours subs for !
Keep us informed and keep strong....x
angela66615 kim87231
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angela66615 kim87231
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brenda60190 kim87231
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I would photocopy everything that you send to your employer and would be cautious in what you say and/or write. The medical certificate cannot state the exact date of your return to work , before you can return to work you need a signing off note.
I personally would send the medical certificate into your employer with a very brief covering note simply stating that you enclose the medical certificate from your dr.
Enough said. The note is self explanatory.
You do not need to commit yourself to a date of return so soon after surgery. The Company in my opinion is being unreasonable by expecting you to have a miraculous recovery following major knee surgery.
Are u being monitored blood pressure wise? If that is not responding to medication that is another reason for you not to be put under pressure by this Company. NB I would suggest sending everything by recorded delivery/registered post. I assume you have someone who you can trust to do this as you will not yet be fit enough to leave the house.
You cannot commit to a date to return to work. That is the reality of the situation.
you have to follow medical advice. You need a signing off note anyway otherwise as far as I know your employer is acting illegally by pressing you to return against m3edical advice. Try not to worry too much. x
kim87231 brenda60190
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I get the feeling that they are trying to make me retire Brenda. I work for a specialist teaching time which lost its funding years ago. When someone leaves they are not replaced & therefore they pay one less salary. Good idea to keep a record of everything. HR already have a copy of my Doctors note. But I can draw attention to it or send another copy. Thanks for the advice...much appreciated.
brenda60190 kim87231
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You are welcome. Don't let them grind you down. Employers such as these pretend everything is informal , just trying to take u off guard, don't worry you have your dr and surgeon on your side. How ridiculous to try to make u go back to work so soon following major knee surgery . Supposing you fell at work, the Company would be liable. Also could be prosecuted under the Health and Safety At Work Act of 1974.If u google return to work following TKR u will see that it is between 6 to 12 weeks before someone can think of returning then dependent on the nature of the job.
SICK NOTE. U have already sent one in. I would get a copy from your dr or a letter .
Never go anywhere near any meetings informal or otherwise without reliable witnesses is my advice. If you have not got a copy of medical certificates u could perhaps ask your dr for a letter or a copy ? It is good to keep notes, a diary and photocopies of everything. If u go to any meetings after u feel able to take a brief case with you document holder.
?Bullies don't like the tables turning on them so......
Keep strong. Brains baffles bull s.... !!!
?BLOOD PRESSURE I assume you monitor your blood pressure then take the readings to your dr. If not u can buy a bp machine from one of the chain chemists and even have it delivered, I would keep a record of the readings and a diary and let your dr know. You can perhaps explain how all this stress has increased your blood pressure. On the other hand it may go against you so needs careful thinking about.
mick141959 kim87231
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Do you work in the uk .
Your company from what you say don’t offer much compassion. Inform your area union officials ASAP and get them around for a visit so you can give them all the information before you have the meeting. I hope that there welfare visit they made to your home was surely with your knowledge and not just turning up at the door. Please let us know how you get on. I personally have been 8 weeks since TKR and have not driven yet.My walking has improved with no crutches and upstairs is fine but coming down is a different story.Stiffness on the knee I’m led to be could be for some time though . Everyone is different
kim87231 mick141959
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Yes...UK. Compassion isn't in their vocabulary. Just money... how much it's costing them. I think from the wording of the letter that they are trying to get rid of me......by harassing me to retire. Unfortunately, although I spoke to an excellent union person on the phone, my area rep who would come to the meeting hasn't yet returned my phone call!
mick141959 kim87231
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kim87231 mick141959
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Hi. Fortunately my union rep rang me this afternoon & said that she would contact HR on my behalf to postpone the meeting. She has a big caseload so she was going to tell them that she can't make it for a few weeks. I feel like a weight has been lifted off me. Will log all calls etc. Good advice. Thanks Kim x
angela66615 kim87231
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Hi again Can you get it in writing that your Union rep has cancelled the meeting due to heavy workload. I would keep your dr informed of all of this, he or she will be displeased at having their medical expertise questioned and u never know may help behind closed doors. He may know the Occupational Health physician at your place of work and have a 'quiet word' with him or her.
?Make sure that you don't lose out financially in all this either, hold out for what you are entitled to. I would ring up a solicitor who specialises in employment law as well. Good luck x
kim20134 kim87231
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Angela is so right. You need to document everything and your union rep cancelling due to work load is not your fault.
I have a friend who was very very unfairly treated by her employer. She was in a near death situation two years ago and hospitalized for months. They badgered her with calls, emails and meetings. This hampered her recovery not helped. She took it to Tribunal and almost won the case but for technicality. She hadn't documented events properly. Try and get printouts of calls, dates, length of call. You can also get a device quite cheaply tore co record the calls.
Good luck to you. I despise Bully boy tactics