Good morning world hope we’re as good as can be expected this morning 
I’ve got a phone consult with a nurse from occupational health this morning I’m not really nervous as I’ve spoken with her b4 back in Feb when I was signed off due to exhaustion n depression are what the dr had put it down to but u no thinking back on it I’m not 100% that’s what it truely was cus I pretty much felt as I do now but now I have numbness n walking difficulties hmm makes u wonder doesn’t it am I rite in thinking that following the call today the nurse can make the decision as to whether or not I may fully return to work or not at all at the moment?? tbh I feel rite back to square 1 again 
but I’m reluctant to rtn to my GP n asked to be signed off again I no all u lovely folks will tell me that if I need time then I should allow myself time but in the reality of life n everyday living this is not always poss is it guess I’m kinda hoping she’ll reccomend that I do take more time to rest etc that way I won’t feel so guilty for doing so just not sure how I’d get round the half pay issues that’s my main worry cheers folks Lou x
Me too, Lou. Occi health doctor coming out to see me on Tuesday. I will have been off for 19 weeks. I don’t know what I’m supposed to tell him. I don’t have any answers as to how much longer this relapse is going to hang onto me, so how am I supposed to tell him ?? Getting very nervous about what to expect.
it’s pants int it she’s told me in her opinion I’m not fit to return to my job full time if at all atm I rang Payroll n they told me my boss hasn’t bothered to let them know that i had been back to work 3 weeks they still had me down as being signed off therefore I’m on half pay!!! FFS how the hell am I ment 1 pay the rent n 2 live!!! it’s all extra stress I don’t need so now do I go to the doc n tell em what OH said n take it from there or do I just return to with n struggle thro regardless Lou
Can work not pay you what they owe by an emergency BACS payment? That just seems so unfair and no fault of yours. I’m dreading Tuesday. I know I’m not fir for work but half pay is looming and who knows what the occi health GP’s opinion will be.
The lovely lady I spoke to did say if I speak to my manager it’s not to late for them to sort it out for this months payday fingers crossed then lol I’ve only been with them for 2yrs so I only get 2mnths full sick then 2months half then no pay at all it’s bit scary to even think that far but I believe it’s only Apr to Mar then the allowance restarts (I hope) good luck with ur appointment/visit nx wk I’m thinking that I mite go ask my GP to sign me back to work on specified hrs rather than just dating phased return that way I won’t lose any money but I don’t av to try n get thro 5 busy hours a day Lou
Sounds like a plan and should be do-able with the new fit note specifications. Good luck. Xx
This is basically the email from my OH call this morning a copy has been sent to my manager so there can be no misunderstandings about what was said
Job Title: Catering supervisor
Introduction: Thank you for referring Ms ****** to occupational health, for a confidential consultation to assess her fitness in my opinion, to carry out contracted functional duties currently.
We take into account your specific referral questions and I gained her verbal consent to offer you the below advice following my assessment today.
1: What is the employee current fitness for work?
In my opinion and with the information I have to date, Ms ****** is currently unfit for work, in any capacity due to significant neurological symptoms.
2: Is there evidence of an underlying medical condition that may affect the employee’s continuing attendance or ability to undertake his/her role?
As you know Ms ****** is experiencing symptoms of ill health x 5 years increasing over the last year. Symptoms include significant fatigue, she is subjectively feeling 8 out of 10(worst).
She has been proactive in accessing appropriate investigations, via Royal Surrey, and is likely to be given a diagnosis this year.
3: Is the Equality Act 2010 (Disability) likely to apply, 'does the individual have a substantial impairment that is long-term’?
The Equality Act defines ‘disability’ as a serious physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on an individual’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. It is ultimately for an employment tribunal to give a definitive opinion. In my opinion and with the information I have to date, the Equality Act could apply in this situation.
The Act if applicable advises that you discuss and ‘consider adjustments’ at your discretion locally, action taken is considered as a ‘proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim’. General guidance;
So if i AM concsidered under that Equality Act does that have any bearing on the state of play as far as Sick leave and Sick pay are concered, does any one know ive tried Googling it but i just end up getting more n more confused "/ lol
I would like to find some kind of understanding for when i have to speak to my manager next week after all Fore warned is fore armed or sumet like that lol
Thanx Lou
lou, are you in a trade union?
i’m a relic from the 70s when unions were THE club to join.
if you are you could ask them for advice.
its a mine field isnt it?
take care, try not to get too stressed
carole x
Hi,
I am also on sick leave too and been off since September, just about to go on half pay and for occupational health to call again in the middle of January. Its so nerve racking. My doctor confirmed, if OH say I am not fit to work then just ringing for a sicknote from him would be fine, not sure if your surgery will let you do the same Lou.
Lou, you mentioned if the doctor signs you off to work specific hours instead of work organising phased return that this will keep your full pay in tact, I am reading this correctley? If so, thats good as my employer has confirmed that if I go back on phased return then the hours I am not working will be on half pay.
hope all goes well for us all
x
hi Carole no I’m not in a Uninion 1 thing I never got around to doing lol hi Medion I’m not sure if it would work for u n ur employer or even mine lol but I work for County Council if that helps with ur question at all with reguards to returning to work I spoke to a lady in our payroll office n she told me that if I was at work whether fully or phased then I’m classed as being at work I’m salaried not solely on hourly pay so this maybe why?? can u not speak with ur employer/payroll to see how it would work for urself?? The OH nurse didn’t really understand about returning etc or wages she just advised me to speak to manager n the GP I’m in limbo till Monday in reguards to all this as my boss n the office aren’t back till then "/ Good luck Lou