McStuffins
Registered User
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You stated medical reasons on your application, so unfortunately you introduced the health issues into the process. As such, the company/HR now have a responsibility to assess and ensure you are capable of performing the role without any risk to your health in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts
I wonder are HR concerned there is a an other mecidal reason why you want shorter working hours and hence, just covering themselves. A full medical would normally cost a right few bob if you were to get one privately, so why not take advantage of it..
Hi all,
I have been in full time employment for 5 years with the same company. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with a long term progressive illness.
At the time of diagnosis I missed about 6 weeks of work for illness and tests, scans etc.
It was all certified and I went back to work with no issues. I've been back fulltime since and have missed a couple of weeks here and there for treatment and appointments with the occasional illness - again all this is certified and appointment cards provided etc. We are not paid long term sick leave. 5 days paid and the rest unpaid.
I recently decided that a change of pace was in order and applied for part time, stating some of my symptoms were the reason. This wasn't a request for accomodating me or my illness. It was a request for part time which would mean a new contract, set hours etc. The same part time options that anyone else in the company can apply for and many are on. If I wanted to go back full time I would have to wait for a full time position to come available.
So, supervisor approved my request. But HR is insisting I go to the company doctor for a medical. I am seeing a specialist and my condition isn't something that a regular GP handles (it's neurological).
Personally I feel that HR are bang out of order. Nobody else who requests part time is made to do a medical. New employees aren't made to do a medical. The only reference I can find to seeing a company doctor is when someone is out long term and they are looking to clarify when they will come back.
This shouldn't need clarity in my case as I am going part time. Not out sick.
I just need to clarify if I can be forced to attend the company GP?
Thanks
Would a letter from my consultant not suffice though? A GP can't assess my situation as it's neurological and the symptoms I have are not really visible.
I'm not dictating change though per se. I mean I requested part time as is my right as an employee. It's in our terms that we can request it and a number of our team and other teams do work part time. My superior approved it. Not because of my medical condition but because there was a part time position available. Had one of my colleagues asked first they'd have been given it and I'd have been refused.
I mentioned my illness in a general way in that i felt working part time would allow me to reduce stress and allow me to have a better work life balance. As my symptoms are stress aggravated I said that I felt reducing my hours would reduce my risk of relapse.
I just feel that as I'm not looking for special treatment or for something that isn't available to everyone in the company, I am being singled out.
Nobody else who went part time was required to have a medical.
I'm aware that they have to cover themselves but the reason I applied for part time as opposed to asking them to make reasonable accommodation was to avoid yet more doctors and hospitals and tests.
I've spoken to hr and agreed to go but said that as they have now turned it into an occupational therapy issue and a reasonable accommodation issue, I withdraw my application for part time.
Essentially all this means is that if I become well enough to get back to work full time I can request another medical and increase my hours again once I'm deemed fit. As opposed to having to wait for a position to arise.
She said it will cause staffing issues. I figure that was their own choice.
I wonder are HR concerned there is a an other mecidal reason why you want shorter working hours and hence, just covering themselves. A full medical would normally cost a right few bob if you were to get one privately, so why not take advantage of it..
Unless I missed something, there is no mention of the employer's insurer in this case?I can understand the employer's insurer insisting employees presenting with medical-needs being assessed independently ......
You make a good point about being 'singled out'. There is a question about how your employer validates other part-time requests. If somebody requests part-time for caring for children, do they have to produce the child, or the birth cert? If somebody requests part-time to care for a parent, do they have to produce a medical for the parent?Because I spend enough time to-ing and fro-ing from hospitals to doctors to clinics as it is if I'm honest. I've only just had a neurological appointment, full neuro exam and lengthy assessment. It's a waste of time and it's not just costing the company. They've picked a place an hour from where we are so I have travel costs plus I've no sick days left so I'll be losing income.
I am also reluctant to be singled out and treated differently from co-workers. I suppose I feel that this sets the trend. If I do this then when will they decide I have to go again? Six months, a month, a year? I could go for a medical today and be completely disabled tomorrow. I feel that the company need to handle this is a better way than forcing me to a doctor whenever they want to be honest.
As a result my request for a part time contract was altered to a reasonable accomodation for my disability which I feel is unnecessary but whatever.
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