Is this the norm?

[150bhp]

As said, is this the norm with HR departments? I've been off work since 10th of August with a broken ankle, I'm a gas service/breakdown engineer. I have kept in contact with my manager with regards to when i was getting my second cast on, when i would be getting my cast off and when roughly id be returning to work. Today i received a letter from HR department asking me to attend a meeting this Friday that said "to ascertain if there is any help or assistance we can offer you" I called the HR Officer to ask if this was just a standard letter for general absenteeism that i could ignore as there is nothing they can do for a broken ankle but was told it was to discuss getting me back to work sooner than the doctor advised. She suggested me going back to work in the office on light duties??? I told her i was taking strong painkillers and had to keep my leg elevated and once the cast is off i still had to rest it and slowly build up the strength again. I am aiming to be back at work on full duties just two weeks after my cast is off but this didn't seem good enough for her and is adamant I'll need to go in for this meeting, now however, at a later date. I feel their approach is heavy handed and the best "help or assistance" they could give is to let me fully recover to the guidelines my doctor gave me. So where do i stand if they try and make me work in the office while I'm still in discomfort and trying to heel, can i refer them to the doctors note i produced that signed me off for 8 weeks? Sorry for going on but I'm pretty fuming tbh, cheers for reading.

[edc]

If you are signed off and not fit for any duties then fair enough. Just say so. If your Doctor thinks you can work but perhaps not in your existing role as you need to drive etc then you may be fit for 'light duties'. If you can't travel to the office due to your condition then ask if they will meet you at home or if they can assit with travel arrangements.

[150bhp]

edc said:

If you are signed off and not fit for any duties then fair enough. Just say so. If your Doctor thinks you can work but perhaps not in your existing role as you need to drive etc then you may be fit for 'light duties'. If you can't travel to the office due to your condition then ask if they will meet you at home or if they can assit with travel arrangements.

So I'm within my rights to refuse to return early even for light duties if i feel my ankle isn't fully up to it? I don't see how me traveling to and from work and sitting in an office is going to benefit or help me build up strength in my ankle. The doctor advised me to go for short walks and light swimming after the cast is removed and then see how it is after two weeks. The HR girls attitude seemed one of get back to work early at all costs, seemed a bit strange and heavy handed.

[Stevenj214]

I thought 'sick notes' had been changed to 'fit notes' and should say what, if any, duties someone could still carry out?

Being back at work on light duties would not prevent you taking short walks and going swimming before work, during lunch or after.

Your employer seems to be going by the book (although we can't comment on the individual HR assistant's attitude) whereas you seem to want to stay at home and watch Jeremy Kyle recuperate.

[KrazyIvan]

Its up to your Dr to say when you are fit for work, not HR.

Go to the meeting and just say you'll be back at work when your Dr says your fit to do so. However dont expect a pay rise or a pat on the back at your next review. Its not fair but thats the world of work.

Bare in mind also that if you are signed off work, you'll need your Dr to sign you back to work if its before the end of the last "fit for work note" or what ever they are called, and if you go back when you are still signed off and have an accident it will all get very messey.

PS, hope you feel better soon, as day time holiday tv sucks

[edc]

150bhp said:

edc said:

If you are signed off and not fit for any duties then fair enough. Just say so. If your Doctor thinks you can work but perhaps not in your existing role as you need to drive etc then you may be fit for 'light duties'. If you can't travel to the office due to your condition then ask if they will meet you at home or if they can assit with travel arrangements.

So I'm within my rights to refuse to return early even for light duties if i feel my ankle isn't fully up to it?

Not exactly. Your Doctor will deem whether you are fit to return to work as normal or on light duties. If the Doctor is happy for you to return, in whatever capacity, and you then unilaterally decide you are not going in as you don't feel fit then expect some response to this.

[150bhp]

Stevenj214 said:

I thought 'sick notes' had been changed to 'fit notes' and should say what, if any, duties someone could still carry out?

Being back at work on light duties would not prevent you taking short walks and going swimming before work, during lunch or after.

Your employer seems to be going by the book (although we can't comment on the individual HR assistant's attitude) whereas you seem to want to stay at home and watch Jeremy Kyle recuperate.

I could possibly go a short walk during lunch but no swimming as I'm up at 630am with my son, start work at 8am and finish work at 8pm with a half hour lunch break. With regards to Jeremy kyle i prefer repeats on Dave

[150bhp]

Just spoke to my brother who works for the same company, as does his friend. His friend broke his ankle last year and got the same letter, he had to go to a physiotherapist of my company's choosing. All went well as the physio could see he was still in some pain. 1 week later he got a letter from our company saying the physio has deemed him fit to return to FULL duties, he went to see his GP who after examining him signed him off for a further 8 weeks. So it would seem they couldn't really give a toss whether you've recovered or not. By the way my brothers friend is still having problems to this day with his ankle so wasn't faking it.

[Stevenj214]

I'm not suggesting that you are faking it, or that your company is good/bad/indifferent when it comes to personnel issues, however at the moment your company wants to have a chat with you to see if there's any way they can help you back to work in any capacity. You are adamant that you can't return until your ankle is healed and back to full strength, at which point you're willing to return to your usual duties. Who is being difficult so far?

You don't know what will come from this chat - you may be offered part time office based work until your ankle is fully healed. You simply don't know.

[150bhp]

Stevenj214 said:

I'm not suggesting that you are faking it, or that your company is good/bad/indifferent when it comes to personnel issues, however at the moment your company wants to have a chat with you to see if there's any way they can help you back to work in any capacity. You are adamant that you can't return until your ankle is healed and back to full strength, at which point you're willing to return to your usual duties. Who is being difficult so far?

You don't know what will come from this chat - you may be offered part time office based work until your ankle is fully healed. You simply don't know.

I am not being difficult. I do know what the meeting is about as i have already said, they want me back in on light duties before my doctor at the hospital said i should. I'm in a lot of pain, still cant put any weight on it and I'm taking strong painkillers which make me light headed. Now, unless I'm missing something, i don't see how I'm being difficult. If i had someone working for me i wouldn't badger them to come in before they were heeled, id be telling them to take care and see them when they're mended. Please bear in mind i am not enjoying being out of action and my company isn't paying me a full wage and i think its completely heavy handed to expect me to go back before I've even got my cast off. Its hard enough even getting upstairs to take a fking dump never mind getting a taxi to and from work, sitting in an office, and trying somehow to get a lunch carried with my crutches.

[E Ponym]

Try to be positive with your company.

Ask if there is any extra training that you can do while you are at home, desk-based, health & Safety etc. Get HR to ask your manager, his manager etc. if there are any gaps in your experience/qualifications that could be usefully filled by two weeks reading/research.

You can't really go in and collect the manuals/PC/Laptop etc. that you would need for the work but that it would be simple for HR to drop them off for you.

In other words make HR jump through the loops, try to make it their problem, not yours while appearing to cooperate fully.

[150bhp]

E Ponym said:

Try to be positive with your company.

Ask if there is any extra training that you can do while you are at home, desk-based, health & Safety etc. Get HR to ask your manager, his manager etc. if there are any gaps in your experience/qualifications that could be usefully filled by two weeks reading/research.

You can't really go in and collect the manuals/PC/Laptop etc. that you would need for the work but that it would be simple for HR to drop them off for you.

In other words make HR jump through the loops, try to make it their problem, not yours while appearing to cooperate fully.

Thank you, this is a really helpful tip. I might just suggest this to them.

[Stevenj214]

150bhp said:

Stevenj214 said:

I'm not suggesting that you are faking it, or that your company is good/bad/indifferent when it comes to personnel issues, however at the moment your company wants to have a chat with you to see if there's any way they can help you back to work in any capacity. You are adamant that you can't return until your ankle is healed and back to full strength, at which point you're willing to return to your usual duties. Who is being difficult so far?

You don't know what will come from this chat - you may be offered part time office based work until your ankle is fully healed. You simply don't know.

I am not being difficult. I do know what the meeting is about as i have already said, they want me back in on light duties before my doctor at the hospital said i should. I'm in a lot of pain, still cant put any weight on it and I'm taking strong painkillers which make me light headed. Now, unless I'm missing something, i don't see how I'm being difficult. If i had someone working for me i wouldn't badger them to come in before they were heeled, id be telling them to take care and see them when they're mended. Please bear in mind i am not enjoying being out of action and my company isn't paying me a full wage and i think its completely heavy handed to expect me to go back before I've even got my cast off. Its hard enough even getting upstairs to take a fking dump never mind getting a taxi to and from work, sitting in an office, and trying somehow to get a lunch carried with my crutches.

So they definitely want you back in on light duties now? Or, as you said in your first post, the meeting is "to ascertain if there is any help or assistance we can offer you" and when you called to clarify, the HR girl suggested that light office duties may be appropriate.

The outcome of the meeting may very well be that you cannot do any work. Or it may be that the company will pay for a top physio for you. You might even be feeling a little depressed sitting at home doing nothing and some counselling might be appropriate. Or it may be any number of other things. You just don't know.

If I had someone working for me who was injured or unwell, I would be offering whatever I was able to help support them in their recovery/return to work.

[150bhp]

Stevenj214 said:

150bhp said:

Stevenj214 said:

I'm not suggesting that you are faking it, or that your company is good/bad/indifferent when it comes to personnel issues, however at the moment your company wants to have a chat with you to see if there's any way they can help you back to work in any capacity. You are adamant that you can't return until your ankle is healed and back to full strength, at which point you're willing to return to your usual duties. Who is being difficult so far?

You don't know what will come from this chat - you may be offered part time office based work until your ankle is fully healed. You simply don't know.

I am not being difficult. I do know what the meeting is about as i have already said, they want me back in on light duties before my doctor at the hospital said i should. I'm in a lot of pain, still cant put any weight on it and I'm taking strong painkillers which make me light headed. Now, unless I'm missing something, i don't see how I'm being difficult. If i had someone working for me i wouldn't badger them to come in before they were heeled, id be telling them to take care and see them when they're mended. Please bear in mind i am not enjoying being out of action and my company isn't paying me a full wage and i think its completely heavy handed to expect me to go back before I've even got my cast off. Its hard enough even getting upstairs to take a fking dump never mind getting a taxi to and from work, sitting in an office, and trying somehow to get a lunch carried with my crutches.

So they definitely want you back in on light duties now? Or, as you said in your first post, the meeting is "to ascertain if there is any help or assistance we can offer you" and when you called to clarify, the HR girl suggested that light office duties may be appropriate.

The outcome of the meeting may very well be that you cannot do any work. Or it may be that the company will pay for a top physio for you. You might even be feeling a little depressed sitting at home doing nothing and some counselling might be appropriate. Or it may be any number of other things. You just don't know.

If I had someone working for me who was injured or unwell, I would be offering whatever I was able to help support them in their recovery/return to work.

" was told it was to discuss getting me back to work sooner than the doctor advised. She suggested me going back to work in the office on light duties??? I told her i was taking strong painkillers and had to keep my leg elevated and once the cast is off i still had to rest it and slowly build up the strength again." This is what i said in my first post. This sounds to me that they defo want me back in on light duties. As for the counselling, are you having a laugh? Ive been off for 2 weeks, not locked up in solitary for a year! And as far as the physio is concerned id be a bit wary considering what i said about my brothers friend.

[150bhp]

Also i would say her tone suggested id be back on light duties.
Right I'm off, thanks for all the replies guys

[Stevenj214]

150bhp said:

Stevenj214 said:

150bhp said:

Stevenj214 said:

I'm not suggesting that you are faking it, or that your company is good/bad/indifferent when it comes to personnel issues, however at the moment your company wants to have a chat with you to see if there's any way they can help you back to work in any capacity. You are adamant that you can't return until your ankle is healed and back to full strength, at which point you're willing to return to your usual duties. Who is being difficult so far?

You don't know what will come from this chat - you may be offered part time office based work until your ankle is fully healed. You simply don't know.

I am not being difficult. I do know what the meeting is about as i have already said, they want me back in on light duties before my doctor at the hospital said i should. I'm in a lot of pain, still cant put any weight on it and I'm taking strong painkillers which make me light headed. Now, unless I'm missing something, i don't see how I'm being difficult. If i had someone working for me i wouldn't badger them to come in before they were heeled, id be telling them to take care and see them when they're mended. Please bear in mind i am not enjoying being out of action and my company isn't paying me a full wage and i think its completely heavy handed to expect me to go back before I've even got my cast off. Its hard enough even getting upstairs to take a fking dump never mind getting a taxi to and from work, sitting in an office, and trying somehow to get a lunch carried with my crutches.

So they definitely want you back in on light duties now? Or, as you said in your first post, the meeting is "to ascertain if there is any help or assistance we can offer you" and when you called to clarify, the HR girl suggested that light office duties may be appropriate.

The outcome of the meeting may very well be that you cannot do any work. Or it may be that the company will pay for a top physio for you. You might even be feeling a little depressed sitting at home doing nothing and some counselling might be appropriate. Or it may be any number of other things. You just don't know.

If I had someone working for me who was injured or unwell, I would be offering whatever I was able to help support them in their recovery/return to work.

" was told it was to discuss getting me back to work sooner than the doctor advised. She suggested me going back to work in the office on light duties??? I told her i was taking strong painkillers and had to keep my leg elevated and once the cast is off i still had to rest it and slowly build up the strength again." This is what i said in my first post. This sounds to me that they defo want me back in on light duties. As for the counselling, are you having a laugh? Ive been off for 2 weeks, not locked up in solitary for a year! And as far as the physio is concerned id be a bit wary considering what i said about my brothers friend.

With the word "discuss" being the key point.

It's obvious that you have decided in your head what you think your employer wants from you and what you are willing to give (nothing) so there is little point in any further discussion from me.

To succinctly answer your thread title question - is it the norm for an employer to want to help their employees recover/return to work? Yes.

[edc]

150bhp said:

E Ponym said:

Try to be positive with your company.

Ask if there is any extra training that you can do while you are at home, desk-based, health & Safety etc. Get HR to ask your manager, his manager etc. if there are any gaps in your experience/qualifications that could be usefully filled by two weeks reading/research.

You can't really go in and collect the manuals/PC/Laptop etc. that you would need for the work but that it would be simple for HR to drop them off for you.

In other words make HR jump through the loops, try to make it their problem, not yours while appearing to cooperate fully.

Thank you, this is a really helpful tip. I might just suggest this to them.

This looks like a roundabout way of saying make the HR person's job difficult/being awkward

To be frank it is not an HR person's job to deliver training materials to an employee. That should be up to the line manager to organise if applicable. I would be wary about deliberately being obstructive as ultimately an HR person liases with the operation; doesn't manage you, your workload or the resource planning for your team or dept. Most of what you communicate back will be fed back to your line. Your line management will form an opinion and then upon your return some people wonder why things are different.

Ask yourself why the HR person is asking you these questions? They are not some sort of sadist but more than likely your line manager or dept manager has asked a permutation of:
- how long is this going to carry on for?
- can I get a temp?
- can I get rid of him
- I have got a target to hit
- my team are complaining about working extra hours
- customer complaints are going up
- how else can I cover the workload
- etc etc

[herbialfa]

Hve not read most of the above posts, but I believe if you have any sort of cast on you are not insured!


Fire away if I'm wrong!

[scirocco265]

From my experience, all HR departments have a duty to 'stay in touch' and usually send these letters during a 'long' period of sickness absence. Remember the employer has demonstarte certain paper exercises are carried out. Don't stress about it, it's the norm.