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Diagnosed with long covid 19 advised to take 3 months unpaid leave public sector

luckpenny

looking for some help l work for the council now for over 35 years.
last year I caught covid I had a peek flow reading and the doctor prescribed 2 inhalers for asthma I also suffer from chronic fatigue and brain fog
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure 30 years ago along with high cholesterol
I have recently been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate which explains the running to the toilet all the time so much so I have stop going out incase of having an accident.
I also suffer from anxiety and stress so much so that I have had headaches lasting days.
my doctor has put me on anti depression and prostate medication.
HR has suggested I take a further 3 months leave without pay which I have now agreed as the alternative might have lead to a finale hearing dismissal.
The OH thinks I might get better within 6 to 12 months but my own doctor has not put a timescale. sorry to be so long winded but I'm not sure what happens next.

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Comments

Sandy_123

Hi @luckpenny sorry to read about everything your going through. Have you got a union rep to suport you with work meetings and decisions? Have they offered you lighter duties?

luckpenny

yes I do have a union rep who sits in on meetings I have not been offered any other jobs as the OH report says they cannot see what job would be suitable given my circumstance and medical record. I have always wanted a return to work the thought of not working was not an option for me until now If I resign I will loose a large portion of my work pension.

Sandy_123

@luckpenny that's good that you have a rep. You could also get advice from citizens advice. Are you providing sick notes while your off.

luckpenny

Hi all yes l was getting sick / fit notes stating long covid on them l get esa £111 roughly and they said l didn't need to send them in anymore. And because l was not being paid by work l never ask for a fit note to cover the 3 month's off should l keep sending them into work l wasn't sure... Many thanks

janer1967

Hi

I'm presuming you have no entitlement to company sick pay and have you had your entitlement of ssp

If you haven't you should remain sick and signed off rather than unpaid leave

luckpenny

sorry I'm not to clued up on this I had 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay
it was HR who recommended I take a further 3 month unpaid leave before it goes to a final hearing.
thank you in advance.

janer1967

OK you will have had your full sick pay entitlement

You could be eligible for new style esa not 100 percent sure if you can if still classed as working

Are you hoping to return to the job if not then it maybe worth looking into medical dismissal

calcotti

janer1967 said:

OK you will have had your full sick pay entitlement

You could be eligible for new style esa not 100 percent sure if you can if still classed as working

Are you hoping to return to the job if not then it maybe worth looking into medical dismissal

I understood from the posts that OP was already getting new style ESA (which they would have been entitled to from when the 28 week period of SSP entitlement ended). They should have been getting the ESA alongside their half pay.

luckpenny said:

Hi all yes l was getting sick / fit notes stating long covid on them l get esa £111 roughly and they said l didn't need to send them in anymore.

Actually £114.10/week now.

luckpenny

I have been told that I miss the 85 rule not because of the years I've worked but because I was born after 1960 otherwise I would have left. The works doctor thinks it possible I could get be better in a year with all the advances in medical research so he wont sign me off. I'm a little stressed at the thought of loosing a large chunk of my pension that I have worked for

LNH

please do ask to speak with your unions pension rep and inform them of what is currently happening also as it sounds like the union rep attending your meetings with you is not doing the job properly, as they should be backing you up and stopping such stress getting to you as that is not making your illness any better at all either, get a second rep to give you advice and support. sorry about your situation and that i cant help you any more. I'm also local council employed born after 1960 but with 41 years working for them been of 9mths to date was told I could take my pension now as is as I'm 60 but I may be able to return to work in a year or two OH Dr said that as well unfit for any work and would be that way for 18mths min but will not put me through a medically unfit for job or work etc my union pension rep told me to not take pension say on sick as long as doctor keeps fit notes coming wait for employer to make first move as well as I'm due to fully retire at age 66yr 9mths. hope that's all of some help to you in some way. Regards Les

luckpenny

Yes Les I went back to my doctor and explained the situation I'm just waiting on the GP report I stop getting fit notes not sure if this is right.

LNH

Hi luckpenny, I think you should keep on sending your employer sick/fit notes as long as your doctor keeps issuing them to you. One reason is as long as your on the sick your employer will still have to continue paying into your pension fund, so it adds funds and months to your final pension. I'm not sure but I think you should not agree to a 3mth unpaid leave term as this will affect your employers payments into your pension, but please please get on to your union and get that specialist advice from the unions pensions champion. I'm with unison and they have been amazing not sending a rep from my work place but a full time union rep to attend with me, and be there to support me and have my back. Your employer will not care your just another number to them sorry to say, well that's what I have found out since my sickness started not my manager or colleges just employer any how. Regards Les