I am currently off sick and have recently told my employers that I have been told that it could be ME/MS/CFS.
My problem is I dont know if I should allow them access to my medical records, I have been trying to think of the pro’s and con’s but have only come up with a couple of reasons why I should/shouldn’t
It would prove that they could have reasons to retire me on ill health.
It would make them more averse to firing me because of disabilty act.
It would show that I had had these problems for a few years but had not disclosed them.
We do have a medical form that has to be completed on starting with the company and i dont remember ever having filled one in but it could be that the forms were brought in a few years after i started my employment there. I know i’m not going to be well enough to go back as i’ve struggled to keep going for the last year, so i would like the whole thing wrapped up and finished with.
I cant resign though or i wont be able to claim benefits??
Can anyone think of any points I should take into account before deciding on the health records access?
and do i need to be sick for something like 7 months before the company take action and can i not claim any benefit until I am formally unemployed??
Hi, not sure if this will help but ill try. I work for a big company and have had my records pulled twice, nothing to do with whats going on now (waiting for ms dx). I had alot of time off when i had other health problems, they only pulled mine to see if i was likely to return and if i did could they assist with special equipment etc and also to adjust my % for sickness based on the findings. I would review your company’s sickness policy if you can as mine clearly states 6 months full pay then 6 months half pay, after this i’m sure my company look into ill health retirement so could go straight onto benefits providing the threshold for having savings. Good luck x
I’m really not qualified to answer your questions, but I just wanted to tell you that if you are thinking of applying for ill health retirement, they are going to have to access your medical records in order to make a decision.
The best people to ring are the equalities and human rights commission. You can ask your GP to write a report rather than giving access. As long as you have not lied on any forms then there was no need to disclose unless it impacts on health and safety.