Phased Return To Work Pay, How Does It Work?

[EvonH]

Hi

I was off work at the beginning of the year with M.E. I agreed a phased return to work with my doctor, my manager and HR. The return to work was for 8 weeks, starting at 2 days a week at work, rising to 4 days and eventually returning to a full 5 days a week.

It turns out for the whole 8 weeks I have been paid SSP and contractual sick pay, which means for the last 3 weeks I was on half pay.

Is this legally fair? To expect me to come in for 4 days a week but only pay me for 2.5? I need to know where I stand.

Thanks

[factor-fiction]

Does it also mean you were overpaid for the first few weeks though?
Was anything discussed about pay before you started the phased return>
I'd query it with your employer first- it may be an error or misunderstanding, or it may be able to explain it. Let us know what they say and we can take it from there.

[EvonH]

Just thought I'd update this. It does not mean that I was paid more earlier on in the sick leave, it means that I had 5 days marked as sick, instead of 2 normal, contracted hours, 3 sick. This has lead to me accruing more sick days, and being penalised for it later on in the period, as I used up my contractual sick pay sooner.

I have found something on ACAS that supports my statement that it is punishing me for having a chronic illness and I should be paid properly for the hours I worked. This goes against my workplaces policy though.

However, it turns out that despite them employing over 7000 people, none of them have ever had a phased return to work, like I have. So they're investigating their policy. A bit of a relief, but any further advice would really be welcome!!

[Buenchico]

Well if you've already found the Acas website, why not go just one small step further and phone the Acas helpline (for advice directly relevant to your situation)?
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2042
(It can take a long time to get through but you will probably find that it's worth the wait).