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red tape
I have been on the forums much more than usual lately. So I thought I’d take this opportunity to explain (winge) why.
I started my first job as a doctor back in August. The weekend after my first week I collapsed Andrea witnessed me convulsing on the floor. I was admitted to the local hospital where I was diagnosed with hepatitis (Temp. 39.4’C, ALT 749).
I was signed off from work for a period of two months wile I recovered. After the first week of my sick leave I was feeling much better, although very tired. Seven weeks later not much has changed.
I got a letter six weeks into my sick leave saying that due to my length of service within the NHS I went onto nopay two weeks ago. As you can imagine I was livid.
I contacted the Human Resources department to find out more information and it turns out that as I have less than 4months service, I am entitled to only 4weeks sick pay. I was placed in the situation where I had to either come back prematurely or essentially be unemployed. I told the department that I was not ready, but three weeks later I realised that I could no longer afford not to be paid. My fiancée has multiple sclerosis and as a result is unemployed. Statutory (governmental) sick pay here is £52 a week – that doesn’t even remotely cover my mortgage.
Anyway, I was forced to go back to work. I contacted the HR department to see if I could go back on reduced hours. I was essentially told to comply with my rota or quit! I contacted Occupational Health to see if there was anything that they could do. There opinion was that:
a) me returning to work early would delay my recovery.
b) potentially put my patients at risk due to my excessive tiredness
c) potential ability for me to transmit my illness.
There recommendation was that I should take one month off work on compassionate grounds (full pay) until the matter can be resolved. They were overruled by HR.
I contacted my union who were of the opinion that as this was a potentially hospital acquired illness I should be on full pay regardless. They were ignored.
I was due to commence a series of night shifts starting from tonight. I made it clear that I did not feel safe on the grounds that I might not be able to get enough sleep in between shifts. I was ignored.
I was on the phone ALL day. I received a phone call 30mins before my night shift was due to start to say that I would not be required to attend; which is good.
According to my union I am owed over £2000 in sick pay, and according to occupational health I should not be there at all.
I have to see a consultant gastroenterologist next week (hopefully) and his decision will be final. In the mean time I am getting paid bugger all. Instead of resting, I am on the phone every trying to get this sorted. All because the trust’s attitude is to ‘withhold payment now and sort it out later’.
I started my first job as a doctor back in August. The weekend after my first week I collapsed Andrea witnessed me convulsing on the floor. I was admitted to the local hospital where I was diagnosed with hepatitis (Temp. 39.4’C, ALT 749).
I was signed off from work for a period of two months wile I recovered. After the first week of my sick leave I was feeling much better, although very tired. Seven weeks later not much has changed.
I got a letter six weeks into my sick leave saying that due to my length of service within the NHS I went onto nopay two weeks ago. As you can imagine I was livid.
I contacted the Human Resources department to find out more information and it turns out that as I have less than 4months service, I am entitled to only 4weeks sick pay. I was placed in the situation where I had to either come back prematurely or essentially be unemployed. I told the department that I was not ready, but three weeks later I realised that I could no longer afford not to be paid. My fiancée has multiple sclerosis and as a result is unemployed. Statutory (governmental) sick pay here is £52 a week – that doesn’t even remotely cover my mortgage.
Anyway, I was forced to go back to work. I contacted the HR department to see if I could go back on reduced hours. I was essentially told to comply with my rota or quit! I contacted Occupational Health to see if there was anything that they could do. There opinion was that:
a) me returning to work early would delay my recovery.
b) potentially put my patients at risk due to my excessive tiredness
c) potential ability for me to transmit my illness.
There recommendation was that I should take one month off work on compassionate grounds (full pay) until the matter can be resolved. They were overruled by HR.
I contacted my union who were of the opinion that as this was a potentially hospital acquired illness I should be on full pay regardless. They were ignored.
I was due to commence a series of night shifts starting from tonight. I made it clear that I did not feel safe on the grounds that I might not be able to get enough sleep in between shifts. I was ignored.
I was on the phone ALL day. I received a phone call 30mins before my night shift was due to start to say that I would not be required to attend; which is good.
According to my union I am owed over £2000 in sick pay, and according to occupational health I should not be there at all.
I have to see a consultant gastroenterologist next week (hopefully) and his decision will be final. In the mean time I am getting paid bugger all. Instead of resting, I am on the phone every trying to get this sorted. All because the trust’s attitude is to ‘withhold payment now and sort it out later’.
I'll pack my Flak cannon!
but..."Hope you get better soon and that everything else solves themself "
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