Can my employer force me to have a medical?

[simonbeer]

I have been off sick for 3 months, suffering from stress. I am on medication and have a sick note from my doctor. My employer wants me to have a sickness absence interview - Do I have to attend this?

[Buenchico]

A sickness absence interview is not the same as a medical but, in either case, it's reasonable for an employer to expect an employee to attend.

Sickness absence interviews are standard practice with many companies. I'm now self-employed but my previous employer carried out these interviews for all absence through sickness, even if this was for a single day. A colleague of mine had his first day off sick in 8 years and had to go through an extended interview. He was warned that his attendance pattern would be subject to special monitoring for the next 3 months. This was all perfectly normal and, in my opinion, perfectly reasonable.

Chris

[Theland]

Yes you do. Especially if you are inreiept of sick pay from your employers sick pay scheme, which remains their scheme, and they set out the terms and conditions for paying out.

Also, your contract of employment probably determines this also..

I have just returned to work after six months off due to depression and I also had to see the company nurse and doctor periodically.

However, don't be pressured into returning to work, which is what some try to do as absence costs them money. Your best friend at the moment is your G.P. so be guided by what he / she says, not what the company doctor says.

[bednobs]

when was off having my hip replacement, the occupational health interviews were fantastic, even reighning me back in when i wanted to come back too soon. they were helpful and supportive. Will the interview be carried out by someone independent or will it be your boss?

[scarletpimp]

Why wouldn't you want to go?

Refusal ALWAYS looks suspicious.

[Lonnie]

Yes, as chiis says, you have to attend, but if your in a union, take a rep with you, I had to attend one of these, and all options will be discussed.

With my firm, and its something you'll have to find out, you get retired first, and then recommended for the medical, and if thats the way it happens, if they deem you employable, thats at anything at all, you don't get it, and if you do get it, they call you for a medical every year, and at any of these interviews, your deemed employable, they stop it.

As said, thats my firm, but I reckon the procedures will be similar.

[smudge]

I can't see a problem with attending a sickness absence interview - if employers didn't request this, there's no telling how long people would take advantage of a good sick pay scheme! (I'm not saying that you are simonbeer).

I know this isn't a stress issue - but we had a chap at work who was constantly off for long periods with a bad back.

Even though he had been regularly sending in medical certificates & attended an internal sickness absence interview, I also arranged for him to see an Occupational Therapist & a Consultant at the local hospital, to which he agreed to.

The report came back that he was indeed fit enough to attend work, but to do 'slightly' lighter duties. He was back to work in no time & his attendance record improved dramatically. He gradually went back to his full duties as a Parts Person & there were no further problems.