Fit Note But Not Allowed Back To Work Yet!

[buffymad]

Other half has a fit note after being off work for several weeks after an operation but for light duties only. His line manager (through HR) has said they don't want him back until he's fully fit! Are they within their rights to do this (think I already know the answer ...)?

[EDDIE51]

Yes.

[Peter Pedant]

yes
explained here
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/578032/fit-note-guidance-for-employers-and-line-managers.pdf

you get a fit note when er you're not fit for work.....
the rest is negotiations
and yes this happens quite a lot

[buffymad]

Thought that might be the case! Thanks anyway!

[coldstream-1971]

you're other half doesn't work for the royal mail does he? only asking as I used to I was treated abominably by my manager it bordered on discrimination

[EDDIE51]

Some places do not have any 'light duties' so it has to be fully fit or nothing. I had the same when I fell and injured my arm at work, I could have gone to work if there had been any light duties I could do but there were none suitable so I had to stay off until I was fully fit.

[albaqwerty]

a SIL was fit to work but fortunately there were 'light duties' for her until she got back to full fitness.
The young albas work in a slaughter-house and if anyone is dodgy after eating a curry, they are not allowed back until samples (of you know what) have been taken and all is all clear.
Takes 10 days so that's a heckuva loss in wages.

[Peter Pedant]

eddie
a fren' broke a foot
and in the NHS - he said - give me a side room in A+E and I can see the walking wounded or review X rays - and they said no
so he took six weeks off ! (1980s)

another got a notey from his doctor saying two days a week
and they said fine we will pay you for two days
he took full time off as well

[woofgang]

The problem with the side room scenario is that if anything happened to make the foot worse while you friend was on NHS premises the NHS would be at least partly culpable, or used to be. I have managed a “light duties” with a back injury physiotherapist who would not comply and in the end we had to send her home.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah woof - but if anything happened to injure the foot when it was good then the NHS would be liable under exactly the same circs - so there is no added liability

I think he wanted to work as he was bored at home ....

[woofgang]

Its compliance with the “light duties” thing that brings added culpability.... people should have enough common sense not to assist with moving patients or heavy equipment while they are recovering from a back injury. This particular person just did not seem to be able to stop herself.....and as we know, roolz in the NHS have to be framed to deal with the idiots, not the sensible people.

[Peter Pedant]

jesus woof I had difficulty in getting people to turn up and work
and er not - work too hard !

so they were one senior down in cas - which the men with the clipboards bore with .... admirable forebearance and understanding ( hand wringing, nodding and so on)

[woofgang]

she was a complete nightmare to manage....the only real problem I ever had.

[buffymad]

No, he doesn't work for Royal Mail but I'll tell him to avoid there lol! The daft thing is the "light duties" he would be doing are part of his job in any case! Just the heavier duties he wouldn't be able to do.