off sick and threatened with the sack.

[JOLENE12]

my friend is off sick until 19th jan. her employer wants her back before that, or she will be sacked. Her therapist and doctor say she shouldn't return until her sick note runs out. The employers occupation health said she should come back now. Can they do this? She is ill and the stress is making her worse!

[bednobs]

yes they can.

[ummmm]

Ill with what?

[boxtops]

Our employer won't let us back on the premises until we have been signed off as fit to return, and on occasion Occy Health gets involved - but it would be unusual circumstances for Occy Health to override the GPs. I guess it may depend on the reason why she is ill and off work!

[woofgang]

You aren't sacked for being ill, you are sacked for failing to attend work. What the doc and therapist should be doing is saying what kind of work your friend could do and how long a day she could work.

[Purple_Popple]

Im afraid in this day and age employers are becoming more and more ruthless, your ill friend is replaceable and there are so many others that will gladly take her place - those who are desperate for work. As the saying goes, there is no room for sentiment in business. There are many factors involved here such as hoiw much time sick has she had off previously and/or time off, how long has she been employed with the company for ?

[JOLENE12]

That can't be right. She has the right sick notes and two members of the medical profession say she is unfit for work!!!

[factor-fiction]

How long has she worked there? If she has been there less than a year they can dismiss for almost any reason

[ummmm]

What is wrong with her?

How much time off has she had previously?

[woofgang]

okay. Does she leave the house, wash and dress herself, do her own shopping, attend social events, make her own decisions, use a phone, do some housework?

[JOLENE12]

Without giving all her details, it is a bona fide reason. And she has only been off for 7 weeks. She has an explempary work record, does the work of three people and has worked for the company for years, and it is a huge international company...

[JackDanielsU]

why that date? a wednesday?

If this is a stress related illness or depression etc, surely there can be no fixed date, not as if shes going to be miraclously cured on the 18th

Theres many factors thats other posters have already stated can affect the situation...previous history, time off, etc

[LoftyLottie]

Simply, an employer is breaking employment law if an employee returns to work without being signed off.

[Purple_Popple]

Your friend won't have a leg to stand on, pardon the pun, it's your employer's OH assessment against that of your doc, its a toughie, but that is how it is. How long has she worked there for, if it is less than a year and she keeps taking time off it doesnt look good, employer's take attendance or lack of it very seriously - sick or not, its a harsh world out there, unless you have a very leniant and humane employer.

[JOLENE12]

it is stress related, but she is getting therapy and her doctor's want her to ease back into work on reduced hours, gradually building up...

[boxtops]

Is there a particular reason why the employer wants her back on that date - are there decisions being made on that date about people's futures etc.?

[ummmm]

So she can function?

Like someone said earlier...does she do her own shopping and everyday tasks?

[JOLENE12]

She has worked there for years with an exemplary work record. Never failed to do her shifts and take on extra work for no pay...

[Purple_Popple]

But is she FIT FOR WORK ??? If she can use a lap top, walk, leave the house, use a phone, do the shopping, then she is fit for work IMHO.

[jaydah]

She has broken her contract of employment as she can't do the work necessary. The decent thing for her to have done was resign & make way for a replacement.

Presently she's just a drain on her employer - hope she doesn't want a reference when she recovers.

[ummmm]

I agree with Purple...