Hi groundhog,
Could you provide some information on what it is you need advice on so our members can help? If you experienced a technical problem when you were posting please do try posting it again as a reply to this topic. If that fails, you can send me an email explaining what the problem is.
Laura Chamberlain Web editor/ writer Personnel Today
My problem is I suffer from chronic ill health and have been off sick since May 12. I had had over 30 operations for bowel disease - I have had a large portion of my bowel removed - I have also developed arthritis related to the bowel disease. I suffer and am treated for depression. I have other pelvic problems which make life difficult. Surgery is a dangerous option owing to severe adhesions.
My OH doctor and department are very supportive - reasonably adjustments have been recommended in so much as I be allowed to work from home but this not been approved - think the reasons are financial. I am very disappointed at this - I have already reduced my hours but my symptoms vary from week to week although at present I am not well enough to work.
My GP thinks I should finish work on grounds of ill health. I think this is probably the best option as I have pushed myself for so many years. The process however is very unsure and have read of cases where your employment is terminated but you cannot have your pension. I am so worried about going down this road yet I dont really have an option - apart from working from home which I may be able to manage. I work for a local authority and my illness is covered by the DDA. Im just wondering if anyone else has been in this position and if they could share their experiences with me.
Hi Groundhog
I used to work for a local authority and dealt with a couple of cases of Ill-health retiral. The process, from memory, was that the employer asks their OH to consider Ill-health retiral. Once the OH provide their report on the liklihood of you returning to work before your retirement age (probably state retirement age now?) and the employer would then need to make a decision on whether to dismiss you on the grounds of retiral due to ill-health. (Note the use of the word dismiss here is legal terminology - I realise it can seem surprising and disturbing to see the word in relation to you!)
In terms of the pension situation however, it would be the pension provider who would decide whether you meet the pension scheme rules for Ill-health retiral, and would use one of their own doctors to advise them of that. If they agree you should be Ill-health retired, they pass the decision back to your employers. Financially, there may (very likely) be a cost to your employer to Ill-health retire you, because they would have to pay the pension scheme all the lost contributions. There is a technical term for this cost, but I can't currently remember it...! It might be 'pension strain'?
To kick start this I'd recommend you raise Ill-health retiral at your next meeting and see what they say. It might be your employer is considering it too, but doesn't want to upset you by suggesting it first...
Best of luck,
Owen
Illegitimi non carborundum
Hello Owen
Thank you for your response. I am in such a dilemma over this as if there was any possibility I may not be able to have a pension I would probably have to try and work by reducing my hours even if it does compromise my health. I think I am viewing everything very negatively at the moment probably because I feel so unwell. So I think I will try and stop worrying and just ask them at my next meeting - good advice - thank you.
Hi again Groundhog
The other thing to throw into the mix here is that if you are currently incapable of working you might be entitled to claim Disability Living Allowance. I don't know the ins and outs of the application process, but if you go to your local Job Centre, someone there should be able to advise.
Cheers
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