Work have pulled a fast one here.....

[cookie2112]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Thank you Cookie :-) I didn't want to take a rep. in at this stage but I did record it all on the sneak..... so have been able to re-listen to everything. if I have another meeting like that, then I will take someone in there with me.

Just remember courts don't really approve of taped conversations where the people being recorded aren't aware of it being used as evidence, however I do know that they allow it sometimes, might be worth you doing a transcript of the recording so you could produce paper copies if required - hopefully it won't go that far though!

Good luck!

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

I have just had an email from the boss regarding some training that's due to take place this Monday. My phased return has been arranged at 50% by my GP from this Monday... and part of it involves working Mondays from 8am - 12.30pm until the end of March when it ends.

The email states that I will need to attend this training as directed time; which (he says) still needs to be completed at 50%; regardless of the phased return... and these times are at his discretion. This means that I will need to leave work at 12.30pm and return for 3pm or, remain at work until 3pm..... which seems to go against what a phased return is for.

I have not emailed a response back as yet but would like to know where I stand with regard to this. I know that he is not happy with me for stating "work-based stress" on my GPs certificate prior to going into hospital.... and think he's decided to be awkward in return. Meetings are held every Monday from 3pm - 4pm and he wants me to attend half of these as directed time throughout March, whenever they may be.

If he's right.... then I'll just suck it up and go in but if he's not, I'll dispute it. I've also just emailed my union to get their take on it.

Any thoughts?



Many thanks and best wishes,

[tastyjane]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Need to establish whether the phased return to work is recommended on a fit for work statement?

If it is it's just a suggestion but if work can't accommodate the phased return you revert to unfit for work I believe.

jane x

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Need to establish whether the phased return to work is recommended on a fit for work statement?

If it is it's just a suggestion but if work can't accommodate the phased return you revert to unfit for work I believe.

jane x

Hi Jane,

It is a fit for work statment.... and to give the boss his due, he has tried very hard (it seems) to phase me back in with unstressy classes. I mulled things over this afternoon and decided to go along to the training on the basis that, it would need to be re-scheduled for non-attendees if not.... and from memory, this was made at stupid o'clock last time. I emailed him back and said that I would return for the meeting and made it sounds as if I wasn't bothered by it.... as I don't want him to think he's got to me.... lol

I still haven't heard anything from Occupational Health yet but am quite looking forward to going there now....

[tastyjane]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

To be honest from an employers point of view if you are flexible with them they are more likely to be flexible to you. If you feel able to it will work in your favour to be seen to being reasonable.

Jane x

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

To be honest from an employers point of view if you are flexible with them they are more likely to be flexible to you. If you feel able to it will work in your favour to be seen to being reasonable.

Jane x

Thanks Jane..... think my post clashed with yours.

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Well, that wasn't such a bad week…. I've been given nicer classes, kept my two periods of planning time and been given Friday off; all part of my 50% phased return until the end of the month. I'm still waiting for a letter from Occ. Health with an appointment so will chase it up if nothing materialises soon, as I don't want to return to the Hell that was my job before all this kicked off. The boss and his sidekick have so far flitted between being very nice to me and ignoring me completely….

Three members of staff have also handed their notices in within the last fortnight. It's seems that it's not what they were expecting either…

No sh*t Sherlock!

[MrsD]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

calm and assertive and give them no reason to argue with you. methinks the penny has dropped that you're not going to messed around with, hope it all lasts

[tastyjane]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Great news, why leave a job you love if they can adjust your working conditions 😄 hope they replace the colleagues that are leaving not just expect you left behind to pick up their stuff too! Jane x

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

calm and assertive and give them no reason to argue with you. methinks the penny has dropped that you're not going to messed around with, hope it all lasts

God, I hope so…. although I'm wondering what it'll be like once I'm back there full time again….

Great news, why leave a job you love if they can adjust your working conditions  hope they replace the colleagues that are leaving not just expect you left behind to pick up their stuff too! Jane x

They will have to be replaced…. no question. Two of them are core subject specialists and very clever. Right people in the wrong environment, so it was no surprise to learn they were going elsewhere.

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Still nothing from Occupational Health despite emailing HR asking them to chase it up this week. HR didn't even email me back…. so I'm not chasing it up again.

I am enjoying this phased return way too much…. only wish I could afford to work a half week all the time! I would still like to approach the boss about cutting down to a 4-day week from September and was hoping to do this in conjunction with my visit to Occ. Health but this doesn't look promising at the moment. I'm assuming that the boss will want to speak to me when the phased return ends though, so I may just have to approach him with it then. My only concern is that he will then try and cram 5 days work into 4 as of next September, so I'll need to document those concerns when I see him… somehow.

I may even suggest a 4-day week before September….

[tastyjane]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

As you have done all along; when you meet with him have a clear outline of what you want, how it can be implemented and why it wont impact others. I find if someone approaches a company with a well thought out argument rather than just "I want to" its far harder to say no. In my experience the main reason a company will turn down an employees request for flexible working is due to the impact to the rest of the business - I would always try and cover that in your initial request - takes their argument away Jane x

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

As you have done all along; when you meet with him have a clear outline of what you want, how it can be implemented and why it wont impact others. I find if someone approaches a company with a well thought out argument rather than just "I want to" its far harder to say no. In my experience the main reason a company will turn down an employees request for flexible working is due to the impact to the rest of the business - I would always try and cover that in your initial request - takes their argument away Jane x

Thanks Jane…

I have had it in mind to request a Mon-Thurs week from September for some time to enable me to benefit from a 3-day weekend and distance myself from the job. The reason I'm prepared to wait until then is to reduce the impact on existing working arrangements…. so if I tell him now(ish), he'll have plenty of time to think about how to implement it properly. I doubt it's the kind of job where working from home would be considered, so a 4-day week seems the best way forward for me and on my salary, I can afford to do it nicely.

It would be virtually impossible for me to get another local job on my current salary, so I'm not going anywhere….. and it would be to his advantage to make me less of a thorn in his side at this point as well …. as I have not forgotten how he tried to trivialise my concerns during our meeting to save face in front of HR. At the same time, I don't want to rush in too soon with any suggestions until I've heard how he plans to deal with my full return to work at the end of this month.

I think I might email him during the last week of my phased return and ask for clarification beforehand…. just to cover all bases.

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Well, well..... I'm eating my words. I was interviewed for another job today and the feedback was fantastic!! Looks like I may be off after all but am not counting my chickens just yet..... so will keep you all posted.

Not sure my boss or his sidekick will be best pleased if I get it though.... as it's in the SAME building which I didn't know when I applied

Funny how karma works sometimes...

[oscar]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Not sure my boss or his sidekick will be best pleased if I get it though.... as it's in the SAME building which I didn't know when I applied

Funny how karma works sometimes...

Might end u being their boss. Cue the "OI ! shithead, come here"