Help! Work won't accept Fit Note

JenCo

Hi all, 

What would you do if your workplace refused to accept your fit note? My GP says I'm fine to work from home but my workplace says I have to come into the office. I have panic attacks at the thought of going to an air-conditioned building where the windows don't open and is full of people not wearing masks. 

I'm not customer-facing, my role is digital and I've been WFH since March. All of a sudden it's imperative that I go in or I'll be put on sick leave. I'm not sick, I'm disabled and I have anxiety. I feel like they want me to be a lier or put myself (and colleagues if I get it and give it to them) at risk. 

What can I do?

Tori_Scope

Hi @JenCo! It looks like you've made the same post twice, so I've deleted the one that you put in the Coffee Lounge, but will leave this one up for people to respond to  

Cher_Alumni

Hi @JenCo

Thanks for telling us about your work situation.  I can imagine this isn't helping your anxiety at all, is that being carefully monitored by your GP?

In the first instance, I'd recommend getting in touch with ACAS to discuss this more.  Their telephone helpline number is 0300 1231100 and is open Monday to Friday between 8am to 6pm.

Another good point of contact is the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) who support disabled people around workplace discrimination.  For more information on how to get in touch with them visit their Contact Us page. 

Good luck with this and please keep us updated with how you get on.

janer1967

Hi @JenCo

I would first of all put a request in writing for reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act. As you have already been working from home this should be a reasonable request and they should consider it and give a good reason if they cannot put this in place

I would recommend a meeting between yourself and your manager to discuss this.

Are you in a union at all ? and also as suggested ACAS and the Equality Service would be good to seek advice from

JenCo

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. I'm afraid my work wasn't having any of it and I can't face the idea of challenging them. I'm just finishing up my notice period now. I resigned because they were being very strange about it and threatening disciplinary action. the day after I submitted my letter of resignation Michael Gove goes public to say if you can work from home continue to do so. Really? Cheers...

Oh well, would have been hard to work for any organisation that determined to bully people anyway. My only loss is financial but I'm so relieved it's basically paid off! Anyway, thanks again all. 

Cher_Alumni

@JenCo I'm so sorry to hear that it went this way   It sounds like your needs were overlooked completely.

How are you feeling now?  Are you looking for another job?  Please let us know if we can help you with anything.