Termination of contract 2nd Jan 2013

[Webbo1981]

Hi I have been off work since Feb 29th 2012, signed off from my doctor. I got signed off with GAD, OCD and Depression

 

As of Monday just gone I finally got Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. They have took me off the Anti Depressants and put me on some medication to help control the Bipolar

 

In addition to letting my employer know this week they have since came back with a letter today saying that if I do not go back by the 2nd Jan 2013 they are going to terminate my contract. Although I understand their frustration this has actually made me feel worse

Should I write back?

Any advice?

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you're having tough times and hope we'll be able to help you.

 

In case it helps to advise you, how long have you worked there please?

 

My best, HB

[Webbo1981]

I have been there since September 2001

[Webbo1981]

Thanks for reply btw HB

[honeybee13]

Thanks for reply btw HB

 

You're welcome. You just need the forum guys to turn up now with advice for you. I'm sure they'll be along soon.

 

HB

[assisted blonde]

Do you think the new medication will make you well enough to return to work in the New Year?

[becky2585]

Hello

 

Has your employer sought medical evidence on your condition - a GP report, medical records or through occupational health?

 

What is your likely timescale for being fit for work?

[Webbo1981]

Do you think the new medication will make you well enough to return to work in the New Year?

 

Hi I am unsure as I have never taken the medication before. It is called Quetiapine for Bipolar. I have no idea if and when it will help

[Webbo1981]

Hello

 

Has your employer sought medical evidence on your condition - a GP report, medical records or through occupational health?

 

 

What is your likely timescale for being fit for work?

 

Today in the letter I received from my employer they asked if they could get a report etc. I said sure

 

Regarding going back to work I am unsure. I don't feel right but am now feeling I must go back to ensure I have a job

[Conniff]

Unfortunately sickness absence is a lawful reason to terminate an employment especially if you can give no positive date of return.

[Webbo1981]

Unfortunately sickness absence is a lawful reason to terminate an employment especially if you can give no positive date of return.

 

Ok well I guess my xmas present this year is termination

[Conniff]

Are you on SSP ?

[Webbo1981]

Are you on SSP ?

 

I am on Full Pay. Paid monthly 15th each month. So whilst I have been il I have had Feb, Mar, April, May, June, July, Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov. I also have had no notification of change in pay so I assume I will receive Dec too.

[Conniff]

Can we assume that notice you had was a courtesy letter or was it a proper dismissal notice?

 

All isn't lost, if you think you are being dismissed because you are ill, you can submit a formal grievance.

[Webbo1981]

It was just a letter for me to follow some basic steps. My employer stated that they want me to return back to work by the 2nd Jan or they will start termination proceedings

 

I last met with them face to face August the 8th. That day they told me if I dont go back to work by end of August they would dismiss me. From Aug 8th until mid september I had many sleepless nights with worrying. Yet nothing happened

 

I have wrote numerous letters explaining my intentions are to get better and return to work. However based on the face to face meeting in August I feel so worried its untrue. Dismissal and a months gesture pay they told me at the time

 

The letter I received today states 2nd Jan if no return they will start proceedings to dismiss

 

I personally feel my treatment to getting better starts now. This week I have been diagnosed and prescribed the correct medication. Although I am unsure what time we are talking I don't know what to do or say to my employer

 

I am unsure how to put a grievance in? My girlfriend told me to do this back in August as she was present when they came out and she was disgusted in the way they treated me. I am so mixed up now and worried to death

[Sidewinder]

First and foremost, look after your health, keep to the treatments recommended by your GP and try to be positive about the future. I appreciate that this is not easy when you have the added pressure of your job to think about, but try to look at January as being a target for getting back to normal. Take plenty of medical advice and measure any improvement, and try to give your employer some really positive messages - ultimately that will be the biggest achievement in getting yourself right.

 

You are perfectly entitled to feel that your treatment by the employer is harsh, but also try to look at it from their perspective. The phrase 'having to run a business' may be a cliche, but it is a harsh fact that the employer/employee relationship relies on you working in return for them paying you, and for very obvious and understandable reasons this is not currently happening. Nobody's fault, but they feel justified in asking what prospect there is of you becoming fit again and being able to carry out your duties. If you (or a suitably qualified professional) are unable to give that assurance, then they can, and certainly will, look at a way of managing you out of the business - not a dismissal in shame, but purely because your absence makes it impossible for you to continue working.

 

From what you have said they would far rather that you were able to return - many employers would have dismissed far sooner than this, so take some comfort in that. Be honest in terms of the way that you feel, and the fact that you really want to come back to work, and explain the pressure and anxiety that the threat of losing your job is causing, whilst also being positive about hopefully now receiving medication that you hope will make a real difference.

 

But - as I say, try as hard as you can not to worry. A job is a job but life is far more important. You may find that the employer is more sympathetic than you think.

[Webbo1981]

I wish to place a Grievance on my employer. I have been off work ill since Feb 29th this year. I have been with my company 11 years now. On August 8th my HR Manager and Boss came to see me and insisted I would be dismissed with no entitlements by August 31st if I hadn't returned to work by that date also. I have made numerous contact regarding my wages and holidays etc and never a reply. I have now just received a letter saying if I am not back by Jan 2nd 2013 they will dismiss me. I understand they can do this but I am tired of feeling threatend. Also they demand to see me but after the humiliation I had weds aug 8th I dont want too, I feel scared. I got diagnosed with Bipolar last week. I no perhaps it seems like nothing but topped with severe anxiety problems am struggling. Can I put in a grievance? If so how?

[honeybee13]

Hello again.

 

I've merged your new query with your existing thread so the information is kept together. I think it will help the people trying to advise you as well.

 

My best, HB

[Webbo1981]

Hello again.

 

I've merged your new query with your existing thread so the information is kept together. I think it will help the people trying to advise you as well.

 

My best, HB

 

Thank you

[Webbo1981]

Anyone?

[Conniff]

You have first to decide what your grievance is ??

[Sidewinder]

What exactly is your grievance about? What do you want to achieve?

[assisted blonde]

Not sure what you can put in a grievence about, you have been off sick for a long while, the company have been paying you, yes they said you will be terminated then they didnt do it in August and now they say you must return by 2nd jan or they will take steps to terminate your employment, to be honest your employers have seemed to be more than fair, it is a worry if they say you are going to loose your job but I dont really think it is a grievence proceedure. If you are not well enough to return to work in January I dont think you can expect your employer to keep you on for much longer they do have a business to run.No doubt an employment specialist will have their own opinion on this but I am just basing my opinion on a little knowledge and common sense.

[Sidewinder]

Absolutely agree - I can see nothing here on which to raise a grievance

[Webbo1981]

Ok thankyou I guess a grievance is not what's needed. To be honest I am unsure what is. Based on one of the earlier replies grievance was mentioned so I thought I would follow it up

In all honesty my employer has been more than fair. Yes they have been paying me each month infull and as you say I have been off work for some time

I just let August 8th when they came to see me play on my mind as they said my current health is all in my head implying there is nothing wrong with me and that I must return to work by the end of August. It has just stuck with me since that's all.

For those that are unknown to Bipolar Disorder I guess people will make their own assumptions. However being 31 and working ever since I was 16 I honestly don't like being like this. One day I feel great and others I cant even motivate myself to wash.

After being with my current employer 11 years I assume that I will receive 11 weeks notice and my holidays if and when they decide to terminate my contract. I don't expect to be entitled too anything else but have I missed anything?

 

I also have a final salary pension in which I need to sort, well I think

 

I just want to add thanks to all those who have replied so far to helping me out