So upset about treatment at work

egalite22

Hi everyone. My name is Egalite22 and I'm new to the forum. I moved 2.5 hours drive away from all my family and friends to start my 'dream job'. I was only 2 months and 19 days into the job when I had a haemorrhage stroke. I was off work for 3 months and then back on reduced hours. I feel like I am being treated like damaged goods at work and my work is being continually undermined. I had a 20 minute 'informal' meeting on Friday, just before the start of my annual leave, without an agenda of representation. I was told that when I come back I have to decide between a formal assessment of medical capability of an informal process with a settlement.
I am so upset and not sure what to do. 

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

I am sorry this is happening to you 

Are you still on reduced hours ? Did you have any work medical assessment before you went back to work 

I would say go the formal way makes it official and you can appeal etc go to tribunal if its unfair dismissal though your length of service would bf a factor 

However this may mean you sacrifice the settlement which in essence they are paying you off so there is no comeback . How much is the settlement worth to you ?  I can't imagine you would get much with the short time you have been there 

Are you still in your probationary period was it extended due to your absence 

Lots of questions Sorry but it isn't straight forward 

You might want to contact acas for advice 

egalite22

Hi. I had a talk with Occupational Health before going back to work and they recommended that I work three 6 your days a week, one from home. I've ended up having to go into work each day and having to do work on my recovery days. I am still on an extended probationary period but don't know when this is due to end.
I don't think I want to work at a place which views me like I'm damaged goods. I'm worried because I can't drive (am waiting to hear from DVLA), I love in an isolated village and can't afford my rent if I lose my job. 

janer1967

I understand your concerns 

If you lose your job you could be eligible for benefits and help with rent 

Tbh if you are still in your probation period you maybe better off taking the settlement option as in all honesty because your employment hasn't been confirmed they could just dismiss for absence or not meeting performance targets and then there would be no settlement 

How many weeks are the offering they will also have to pay your notice period if they don't want you to work your notice 

To put your mind ar ease do a benefits calculator to see what you could be entitled to it could be new style esa if you qualify or uc 

Again I would advise contacting acas it's not easy to advise on here without knowing all details 

egalite22

Thank you very much for your helpful advice. I really appreciate it.

janer1967

You are very welcome just ask I'd you need anything further 

Geoark

Hi @egalite22

To look at this in a different way, you are still on probation which means they could just decide that you do not fit in and let you go. So it does seem they are trying to be fair towards you.

I used to be the chair of a non profit organisation and used the work capability route on staff a couple of times. Not to try and get rid of them, but to confirm what their needs were and to see if we could support them in maintaining their jobs. 

On one they did produce a back to work program, I took one look at it and out right rejected it. To put some context here, the employee had contracted meningitis, and the effects on their body raised a number of concerns. Instead the board approved a much longer time line, along with some checks along the way, for his safety and others. We brought in part time contractor to work alongside him and to feed back any concerns. The final concern was them using the ride on lawn mower, especially as we have raised lawns. After six months they were able to return to full duties. 

Obviously I don't know who your employer is or what they are thinking. But if they just wanted to get rid of you they are doing it the long way considering you are still on probation and will have to meet the cost of the assessment. But I would also recommend speaking to your union if you have one, or ACAS as already suggested.

egalite22

Thank you for this helpful perspective.

L_Volunteer

Glad you have found it a helpful perspective @egalite22. Thanks for your positive feedback. If we can do anything else to support you, please don't hesitate to let us know. We are all here for you