Sickness Absence - Urgent Help Required!

[KciKay1986]

Hi

My friend works for the local authority and has had 6 months off with Work-Related Stress and Depression. She was signed off by her doctors and occupational health at the authority confirmed that the condition was work related.

On her return to work she was placed on a caution. Which means her absence will be monitored and if she off sick in the next year it could lead to disaplinary procedures (i.e dismissal)

She has had 9 years continous service with the authority.

This caution has caused further stress. This cannot be the right route to go down to help her.

Is there any legal provisions to help her in this situation. She has an appeal meeting tomorrow.

Any advice is appreciated

[blackandwhite1986]

is she part of a union ? i would seek advice there, similiarly try ACAS

[yorkshirejames]

Your friend may find the website http://www.armchairadvice.co.uk

As far as I am concerned (others may disagree) UK business forums is not intended to help workers rights - if this was a small employer, imagine the financial strain that paying an effectively useless employee for six months would present.

[sjbeale]

It will depend whether she is sick again and what she is sick with and whether she will be covered by the DDA. Local authorities have a huge sick bill and they are obviously trying to crack down on this by invoking the disciplinary policy. Fairness is quite key in how they manage the situation. If the stress and anxiety are work related it depends whether the authority can help her manage whatever is causing this.

[davidakerr]

I''m afraid I agree totally with Yorkshire James on this one.