Occupational Health ?!?!?

dean76

I work in a school have worked for my employer for 16 months and during this time taken 4weeks off work due to recovering from surgery.

I have been asked to go and see Occupational Health because they are not happy that I have to walk with a crutch/stick because of the pain in my feet and poor balance. I have been told by the school that I will not be using it for a definite period of time and I told them I will use it for as long as it is of benefit to me. The pupils nor I are a hazzard as they seem to hint at. Pupils dont come near me infact despite being a Secondary school they are really polite and keep doors open and such for me.

I dont need Occuptational Health as they know I am having an O.T assessment, Ive seen various specialists and have always had sick notes whenever I have been off. Work says its because they want to know what adjustments they can make to allow me to do my job alot more easily. I know them they are just nosey and want to know all my business. There are no adjustments that need to be made I have no problems in doing my job. I just dont want to be told like the other day 'your not going to be using that crutch for long are you'. 'Oh we will have to have a think about that'.

Can I refuse to see Occupational Health because there is nothing they can do for me. I am also not going to give them access to my medical records. NO WAY!! As they routinely discuss other colleagues 'medical stuff' with doors open and pupils spread gossip all the time around school before the person involved knows anything about it. It is none of there business.

What happens if you refuse Occupational Health???

The only reason they have suggested it is because another colleague is on and off all the time (well over a year) with a serious medical problem and has got the union in by the minutes. When she found out Id never been sent to them surprise, surprise the same day my employer said I was being referred. But its pathetic I dont need adjustments like she does. She needs help. I dont. I can do without the hassle and want to just get on with my job.

..............Sorry for the rant !!!!

markc1

Dont apologise for ranting,it does you good!

I know how you feel but go and see the occy heath,they are very helpful and sympathetic...at least i have found them to be!

Let them see your medical files,you've nothing to hide,i have to use a stick sometimes so stuff 'em if they don't like it at work.

Keep your chin up!

dean76

Hi Ive had a bad experience from years and years ago because the council supply agency didnt want someone who was 'disabled' working for them. They were great. I needed there help.

On this ocassion I dont need help. Im perfectly able to do my job. I have no adjustments that need to be made. Ive got no problems at the moment and if I do I will tell them. They say I might need adjustments but I dont. Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhhhhhh! The sodding school bursar just doesnt listen.

Ive emailed him and Human Resources to tell them Ive changed my mind about O.H and that no adaptions need to be made, I am able to do my job fine and if I need there support I know were they are. Im seeing Occupational Therapy next week. Work wont like it.

Its just because there is an employee who is in a really bad way and the school didnt help her at all and she has got union involved, she has been given a secondment for another job with another department, allocated a disabled driving space outside the office, has reduced working hours etc.... All things I dont need. She is pressing for me to ask for the same but I dont need any adjustments. They dont like me using 1 crutch but when I get home it makes such a difference...... Is unbelievable. So **** them.

Im glad O.H helps some people. Just at the moment I dont need them and I know they will like they have with this other employee try to use it too squeeze us out of our jobs because they need to make redundancies and nobody has volunteered. Its as if they want to be seen to be doing the right thing even though its not the 'right' thing for moi.

eckstardeluxe

Hi Dean

Sorry about your situation. But they have to have you assessed by the OT under the DDA to ensure that the "reasonable adjustments" required within the law are going to be implemented. The OT will have full access to your notes with your consent. They are there to help you, not hinder you. They will usually meet with you and ask lots of questions to see what they can do to make work easier for you. If you are happy with your current situation then tell them, but they may think of something that can benefit you that you had not thought of. If your employer did not do this for you they are in breach of DDA guidelines and would be in alot of trouble. I know it can feel like you are being singled out but this is far from the case. There are many posts here where people are not getting these appointments and their employers are refusing to make the adjustments they need. Try not to worry, these people from my experience are really on your side. I wouldn't refuse them if I was you, that would actually look bad on your part because if a bad scenario happened in the future they could say they tried to make the adjustments and you refused and you will look like the wrong party. Try not to worry, the people doing these assessments now are very very different from the days of the past.

dean76

I know I am being assessed by O.T they doing it next week. I just dont want O.H to assess me thats all because I dont need it. Plus Im hoping to have a new job elsewhere by the end of the month (they dont know that) and dont want them telling my hopefully prospective new employer about my disability before I get chance to.

Dean76 xx

eckstardeluxe

dean76 wrote:

I know I am being assessed by O.T they doing it next week. I just dont want O.H to assess me thats all because I dont need it. Plus Im hoping to have a new job elsewhere by the end of the month (they dont know that) and dont want them telling my hopefully prospective new employer about my disability before I get chance to.

Dean76 xx

I know Dean, it's stressful. They can't tell your new employer about your disability. They can give you a reference and say how long you were off and a brief description of why but if they mentioned you had a disability which affects your work they would be in serious trouble so try not to worry about that. If they are trying to have you assessed then that means they are trying to keep on the right side of the law, very unlikely then that they would endanger themselves by mentioning your disabilty to a prospective employer. If they did you could take action against them.

woodbon

Hi, I'm sorry you don't feel you can trust occy health. I worked for a council and we had the same medical team as the NHS staff. They did ask for my permission for a report from my GP and hospital treating me, and I sighned a form to let them. If they wanted you'r compleate file that was another form. For me they only wanted a report and retired me full ill health pension from that.

I don't know how your occy health operate in your area, but they may only want a report for your current problems. You can refuse, but its in your interest not to. Medical records are different and they need different consent, which I would not have given . You also have a right to see the report before (I think) its sent to the occy health. My occy doc was very good and understanding.

Sorry to go on, I hope this is of some help to you. You could try your Union (they supported me) or CAB, they will know all the rules. If you can get someone to go with you or the Union Rep. :?

Good luck, Love Sue

eckstardeluxe

Sue is right there, if you give consent to access your records, you get to see that. Also once you've had your visit you also get a copy of what recommendations they would like to have implemented for you and all the other stuff. After returning from maternity when my condition came to light, I was very shocked at my report. The reason I was so shocked was how good it was for me, really great, stuff I didn't expect in there and the work are following it to the letter.

dean76

My Line Manager has had me into the office and told me that if I refuse Occupational Health they will give me a formal disciplinary. Another person who is struggling to get work to help them because they are in a terrible way health wise and need all help available says I should contact my Union. But I not in a Union yet so cant.

My Line Manager is deliberately giving me tasks that make it difficult to do. They being funny.

I dont mind going to Occupational Health but I AM NOT giving them consent to give my permission to access my medical records nor see my file. As this year work has stitched so many people up by using the information to make out they cant do there jobs, except I can.

woodbon

Hello,
I feel so sorry for you, this is not at all the way things should be handled, I'm no expert, but even I know that. They could well be making it east for you to take them to a tribunal.


Firstly, are you in a union? If so contact your area rep immediatly. They will know how to handle this and also give you support, come with you to meetings ect.

If, and this is true for a lot of people, you arn't in a union, contact the Citizens Advice Bearou (sp??). They will be able to give you advice and help, tell you your rights etc.

If asked to see management again, take a friend, relative or Union Rep with you. Also take notes of what is said during the meeting and ask for a written report of what was decided at the meeting.

I think DIAL an advice group for disabled people will also provide help. As a disabled person you have a lot of rights and they are complex and hard to understand, so you need someone who knows the game, to help you.

I am no raging left winger , but a middle-aged, middle-class woman, who has often put up with things instead or standing up for my rights. Its just sometimes you have to just stop letting people walk over you by bullying.

Sorry to rant on. Over now. I really hope things improve for you, and whatever decision you make, is because its what you feel is best for you. Love Sue

eckstardeluxe

I'd defo seek advice re the disciplinary.

As I mentioned before, it could look bad for you if you refused but a disciplinary, mmmm that's a bit much. It may be you have a right to refuse this, check your employer's handbook. I'd definitely be looking into this though as I'm pretty sure they can't force you, although I'd have taken the assessment to keep on the right side of them and for myself.


Good luck Dean.

markc1

Dean,some good advice from eckstardeluxe,to win you have to beat them at their own game,do as you feel is right for you but sometimes you have to lose a battle to win a war!

Its all give and take but some employers are oblivious to the real world! :roll:

dean76

Thanks I was asked today were my two forthcoming hospital appointments really necessary. What hospital where they in, who was my surgeon/specialist. What treatment would I be having, what was the time of my appointment. I have been asked this before and chose not too answer such personal questions.

They do not need in my opinion to know such information. I agreed to show them appointment letters and been told this isnt necessary. Got the feeling everything I say will be twisted to look worse than it actually is.

Thanks for the advice I am going to contact my union. xx

woodbon

I'm not sure of the legal rights they have to ask such personal questions, but I think they may be over stepping the line. To be honest I would'nt have known the answer to some of those questions in advance of an appointment, as a lot of the medical stuff is'nt explained until they see you and assess your condition. As for the really necessary bit, that seems beyond reason. Here anyway hospitals don't give you appointments unless they already know from the GP that it is 'really necessary', they're too busy! :?

I think you need to discuss this with someone, CAB, maybe?

Good luck, Sue