Occupational Health referral

[jb190281]

What should I expect if my employer wants to refer me to the Occupational Health department? Will they be on my employers side so to speak or are they impartial? Ive only been off for 2 weeks so I think its a bit soon but if thats what they want....

[China Doll]

They're impartial and also quite useful. If you're on sick leave with work related stress they can help you return to work at a more managable pace and for different hours. One of the girls here at quite serious surgery this year and Occy Health have only let her come back for 8 hours a week at the moment...When I was a manager I had to send a staff member there as well as she'd had surgery on her hands to make sure she was fit to work too.

[jb190281]

can i talk to you in a bit more detail china doll, as your view as a manager may help me understand ?

[China Doll]

I'm not and haven't been a manager for some time... However feel free to share more and I'll see if I can help in any way. There are quite a lot of users on here who are managers and would probably be able to offer advice as well :c)

[jb190281]

Ok thanks.

Ive been employed by the same company, in different roles, for the last 5 and half years, but this particular role is due to come to an end in November. To cut a long story short, myself and management have a few disagreements, and I personally think its made me stressed which has resulted in me being ill.
My doctor signed me off for 2 weeks, with a note to relax and de-stress.
Im due to go back next week, but my line manager has mentioned referring me to occupational health, which I think is pointless if Im due to leave in 6 weeks. Can I refuse to go?
On a similar point, can I refuse to carry out particular duties if I feel Im not up to it?

Any feedback appreciated

[China Doll]

If you've been signed off for a period of sickness then you should go to Occupational Health so they can assess your fitness to work. Your manager is right to send you and it doesn't matter how long you have left as far as I'm aware as you are still under a contract. You can't refuse to go, it's part of your contract that you are fit to carry out the job you are doing.

In this instance it's actually in your best interest to go anway as you'e mentioned there are duties you don't feel up to doing. If you are genuinely unable to carry out those duties and Occupational Health agree with you then they will negotiate with your manager a more managable work load for you.

[jb190281]

thats good to know, thanks. i was worried they might be more for the employer and ignore what i want or say.

[China Doll]

No. It's not in their interest to send someone who is geunuinely unwell to do a job they are not fit to do as it has a negative impact on the person and the employer.