Getting work advice

[boyse7en]

A friend of mine has some problems with work and I don't know where to point her in the right direction for advice.

Short version is: She had an operation in December and was signed off work for 4 months. Unfortunately recovery hasn't gone as well as expected so she was off until early May. She then started back doing mornings only, and then this gradually ramped up to being back full time. She found that the pain of working full time was too much and asked if she could go back to shorter hours for a while before ramping up again.
Work refused and told her not to come in until she had seen consultant (which she saw yesterday). She's worried that they are going to push for her to be dismissed on ill-health grounds. She wants to return to work part-time but they are refusing.

I'm not sure whether the employers are acting fairly or not, but would like her to at least know where she stands legally.

[Magic919]

I'd suggest seeing an appropriate solicitor.

[Foliage]

Sounds like they are being accommodating and will continue to be accommodating, I don't think she should worry.

[anonymous-user]

The employer may just be taking seriously its duty of care not to allow an employee who is not well enough to work to do so (and/or is doing a bit of CYA, but CYA is not illegal) . It may be that if the recovery is long delayed, the employer will move towards a dismissal, but if it is wise it will follow due process before doing so. This does not sound like a situation where the employee needs at present to lawyer up. But if you want to take some initial advice, contact someone such as Marty Burn at Oxford Employment Law or PM me for some further suggestions. I reiterate, however, that this does not sound like a situation that warrants jumping into conflict mode,or at least not yet.