Occupational Health Visits

yves765

Member
Messages
12
i have been in my job for a yr.

When I started I told the woman who employed me about my Diabetes and Period problems.

I even put this on the declaration form when I was offered the job.

I was subsequently sent to a Occupational health visit, from which I was told that:
They would keep my Sickness Absence due to my heavy periods separate from my normal sickness absence.

i am being sent to occupational health again on 27th August, and when i spoke to a woman from HR I was told that my manager who is now Head of the Department was wrong to keep my Sickness absence due to my periods separate from my normal sickness abscence.

They have also requested confirmation of my medical history from my GP which I have agreed to.

I had a return to work after sickness interview with my new line manager, who told me that from now on I would have to take my hospital appointments as holidays. I have disputed this with him and he said he would look into this. I was advised after Occupational health visit last year that there would be no problems with attending appointments.

I got the impression from my new manager that they want to see hospital letters, but they have not asked me outright, so I have not volunteered to bring the letters in.

I am not sure what is going on but I feel that previous decisions have been changed and my record has an increase of sickness absences since, everything has been lumped together.

I have been keeping notes of these meetings in my diary.
Please advise as to what could be happening as have further gastroenterology appointments in September to find out why I am having problems keeping food down an following a positive FOB fecal tes.
 

jopar

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,222
The hospital viisit sadly your employer can ask you to eithr use holiday leave or unpaid leave to attend, however they can not stop you from attending the hospital clinic but they can ask to see prove of appointment...

How they see your sick leave is a difficult one, I'm not sure where sick leave due to period problems lays... But if you have had sick leave due to your diabetes this is a slightly different matter as diabetes is a disability that comes under the disability discrimination Act so you would have some protection here...

The occupational health is separate from your employers, they are a go between to help work out, if there is anything which can be done within your work enviroment/load shift time patterns etc that we help you as well as your employer...

I would suggest that you discuss the separation of sick leave into different sectors, so that it give a clearer picture of what is causing what problem, and whether it should or shouldn't really be included in any action etc against you from your employers...

I would assume that some of your problems aren't going to be long term problems so at some point should be resolved, this would be worth pointing out to the occupational health doctor...

If you can think of any changes to your work pattern, duties ect that are quite easy to arrange, which might enable you to maintain a better attendence then suggest these to the occupational health as well... As they are there to try to help you and your employer to keep you employed, not to actually find a way to sack you..
 

Katharine

Well-Known Member
Messages
819
Is there something that can be done about your periods since they are the biggest issue with your absences.

Would a gynaecology appointment help?
 

yves765

Member
Messages
12
I am not sure but will ask and see what gp says, if anything more can be done.
I am taking traonemic and metafamic acid 500 mg.
 

Spiral

Well-Known Member
Messages
856
yves, are you in a union? If you are, get some advice. If you are not, maybe you need to think about the advantages of joining one.

There are often differences in the rules for time off for routine check ups and medical appointments and emergency care and specialist referrals. The issue of time off for medical appointments has recently been an issue in my workplace. My union established that different managers have interpreted the rules around medical appointments in very differnt ways and practice is not consistent - this is being addressed.

Generally, employers are entitled to ask to see letters or appointment cards to confirm you really are going to a medical appointment, but the sensitive personal medical information remains confidential unless it has an impact on your employment, in which case the occupational health doctor and your own GP may need to exchange information, with your consent, and you can ask to see any report before it is sent off.
 

madness

Member
Messages
11
its all so confusing, I feel upset that the reccomendations that were made by occ health last year are being questioned again. nothing has changed.

They agreed to me being allowed to attend hospital appointments. I was not asked to produce letters, so far it has only been inferred, and am not going to offer to help until they ask for these things in writing.

I went for the appointment, but feel that this wont make a difference, the occ health doctor told me to be careful, this is all very stressful, my blood pressure is on the rise and my BG gets higher as I get more stressed.

i just want to go to work and be left alone, my bofriend commited suicide 5yrs ago, I got made redundant, lost my flat, got diabetes and have been trying to pick up the pieces of my life. i had hoped that his would be a clean break, I have been honest from the outset and I find myself back down the same road.

I now understand why alot of diabetics are angry and miserable, you get pushed around and looked down upon by some in the medical profession for not controlling sugars, and employers pretend to understand but they have no idea.

I feel like giving up work and going on benefits, but I cant get any of the disability benefits, so I am forced to stay working and am not being allowed to do my job without the extra hassle.