sick leave- half pay due to waiting for employer to sort things out

[merle]

I was signed off sick by my works doctor & GP in march with work related stress(due to bullying harrassment and discrimination thats been going on years now: I'm the only woman there for 24yrs and have hearing loss too- they are trying to use my hearing against me to put me out of my job right now) I was told not to go back until it is sortd out. I go onto half-pay however soon due to them not 'sorting things out' quick enough. Should i accept that i should be on half pay? It is through their refusal to deal with certain individuals after numerous complaints that I have gotten so ill(physically too- with ulcerative colitis) and it is also cos of their delays that I'm about to go onto half pay. They are telling me to get a fit note from doc and they will ' sort ot' the works doctor side of things as its easier than changing their payroll system. Is this what i should agree to do to save my pay? I dont want to work for them at the mo, especially under the circumstances and with nothing sorted out yet. any advice welcome

[friedgreentomato]

1/2 pay is normal for the time you have been off sick - we go on 1/2 pay after 6 months regardless of the illness.

I would not have thought that you had a choice to accept it!

[factor-fiction]

The way forward seems to be to get the fit note from your doctor.

If he says you are not fit then you will remain on half pay until the employer decided whether to let this continue or seek to dismiss you on capability grounds.

What do will do though if he says you are fit to return I'm not sure if you say you don't want to go back. And the employer should ensure any necessary steps are taken to allow you to return taking account of any adjustments your doctor feels you need

[Graham-W]

Half pay isn't as bad as you think. A few year ago I had to go onto half pay. National insurance payment is reduced, income tax is reduced dramatically. Although your income will fall it won't be by as much as you fear.

[factor-fiction]

And you save on all the travelling expenses, buying lunches, office collections etc. Could you become eligible for child tax credits or other tax credits?

[merle]

Thanks f or all the replies, very helpful, i cant believe they are taking so long to make a decision..and im suffering for it. The reason im off with stress related illness is because of 2 managers trying to put me out of my job , the ones i had to complain about years ago - they tried last summer and then HR said hang on... ive been in limbo ever since waiting for a decision. Its obvious arguments are going on behind my back about letting me back and trying to find valid reasons to get rid of me, my hearing is the obvious target. I have to suffer cos i did what was right and complained about outrageous treatment andattempted issmissals etc. The company prefer to pull me apart rather then look at the problem that caused it all and their behaviour. seems i must suffer financially then :( thanks for the advice, even half pay is better than the traumatic time id return to :(

[buildersmate]

I would think it highly plausible that the employer has slowed things down such that your sick pay DOES fall to 50%, to see whether that results in your resignation. They want you to decide to confirm that you are fit to work by going back to your own doctor.

Dismissing employees who claim to have a stress-related illness caused by work has got very difficult from an employer's point-of-view. Too many hoops to jump through to avoid a subsequent claim for unfair dismissal.

Doing it this way puts the onus back onto you. I don't believe the 'payroll' story.

Since you evidently don't want to work there, you may want to consider resigning and trying to claim constructive dismissal, but take proper legal advice first.