Meeting with HR & Manager.

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UkGuy94
UkGuy94 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected
in Work
Hi lovely people, 

My name is **** and I'm 28 and work for a financial institution. 

I've been there for 20 months employed full time.

I've had 2 rounds of sickness leave due to my 2 terminal diseases which I suffer from sadly. 

One has been for 6 months and this current one has been 6 weeks thus far. 

I've been told to go to a meeting with HR and my manager on Friday. 

Work have always known about my illnesses from the start. 

I had an assessment by OH, but the recommendations were ignored, as you can imagine I am really frightened about going in tomorrow. 

Please any advice or help thank you! 

Comments

  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,714 Championing
    Hello and welcome @UkGuy94 How are you doing today? A little nervy I imagine? I'm sorry you're dealing with this on top of your conditions - are you being supported with those by your medical team?

    Would anyone be able to accompany you tomorrow? A friend or even a union representative if you are in a union? Just having someone else about might ease some of your anxiety.

    Whilst, also think about writing down things you have on your mind that you want to ask about during the meeting. As you have had disability-related absences, you might want to know more about what the company's sickness policy is around these and the support they can offer. Here's a webpage from ACAS about Disability-related absence and employer requirements.

    I'm sorry the recommendations put forward by Occupational Health haven't been actioned, maybe tomorrow would be a good time to explore these too? 

    I understand how daunting things like this can be, however our fear of what might happen is sometimes worse than the reality. Remember - your health is the priority here and you have done nothing wrong  <3

    Please let us know how you get on and wishing you lots of luck. Take care.
  • UkGuy94
    UkGuy94 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected
    Thank you so much for your comment, yes I have an amazing medical team. 

    Just dreading this tomorrow! Going to tell them nothing new lol seems so pointless! 
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 63,123 Championing
    Hi @UkGuy94 I know its stressful but it might go better then you think. You can ask them why they are not taking oh recommendations into account.
    Good luck with tomorrow 
  • UkGuy94
    UkGuy94 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected
    Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes :)
  • UkGuy94
    UkGuy94 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected
    Thanks so much, I am so nervous! I have a feeling they will try to force me to resign to make it easier for them but I shall see tomorrow. 
  • UkGuy94
    UkGuy94 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected
    edited April 2023
    Hi,

    They want me to go to Occupational Health for an assessment they believe they'll deem me unfit to work but have to go through the process. 


    I'm so scared and don't know what to do now can anyone please advise! 

  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,714 Championing
    Hi @UkGuy94

    First things first, you got the meeting done with. Try to relax, make yourself a drink and ideally get a biscuit. You did great getting through it.

    Now, they can't know the occupational health (OH) outcome for sure as they aren't qualified therapists.  My past experience of having an OH assessment was good, they are there to see if there are any reasonable adjustments that can be made to ensure that you can carry on working - this Scope webpage has more detail around the process. The OH therapist will act objectively and independently from your employers so be assured it will be carried out fairly. Also, a OH referral is commonplace as part of supporting workers off sick so try not to be too scared.

    Did you have the opportunity to ask your manager any questions? Did you enquire about the sickness policy and what further they could do to support you? 

    I hope you're relaxing a little more now. Take care and remember we're here for you.
  • UkGuy94
    UkGuy94 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected
    Thanks for the reply! 

    They've told me I have half pay until August. 

    They have said they will wait for the OH report, but they believe it will deem me unfit to work and then they will dismiss me. 

    I'm just so worried, is there any benefits or help I can claim? As I am so scared. 
  • UkGuy94
    UkGuy94 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected
    I've got a colleague going with me, no appointment through yet. 

    Really trying to stay positive, but I think they're trying to push me out.
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 63,123 Championing
    Hi @UkGuy94 thank  you for the update and we'll done for getting through it. 
    I've been to several oc health appointments in the past and they are there  to help you and are really nice, so try not to worry.
  • UkGuy94
    UkGuy94 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected
    edited May 2023
    Hi folks, 

    Heartbroken they've found me to be unfit to work and will be dismissing me tomorrow. 

    I'm completely shattered by this news, I really really tried to show the best side of me. 

    I feel like my life now has been stolen from me.

    I'm now petrified I'll have no money please can anyone help me! I'm worried sick. 


  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    You can look into claiming New style ESA if you've paid the correct amount of NI contributions in tax years 2020/21 and 2021/22. (assuming you're no longer claiming SSP from your employer) You will need a fit note to be able to claim this. It can be backdated for a maximum of 3 months (unless you were claiming SSP during that time) You will receive £84.80/week if entitled to payments. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

    You can also check entitlement to Universal Credit. It's a means tested benefit so if you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. You will need to report your health condition, supported by a fit note within 7 days of this. If you're expecting final pay from your employer soon then you should wait until after this to claim UC.

    If you claim both the above together the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

    Please note, if you're claiming tax credits this will end once you claim UC. If you're claiming help with any rent through housing benefit then this will end 2 weeks after you claim UC. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/What-is-Universal-Credit

    Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to UC. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator




  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    edited May 2023
    I might even question if this was an unfair dismissal @UkGuy94 - especially if you would have been fit to work had they provided the reasonable adjustments recommended (which by law they need to provide)  :(

    One resource you might find useful is Acas. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you wish to talk about this further or if there's anything else we can do to support you with this. How are you coping at the moment?  :)
  • UkGuy94
    UkGuy94 Online Community Member Posts: 42 Connected
    Hi everyone, 

    Still quite sad about all of this really I'm in the process of applying for benefits. 

    Unsure if I'll survive without the benefits coming in tbh. 

    Feel totally abandoned by my previous employer and the benefits process is so long! 

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