Long term sickness, ongoing health issues in the workplace

[Andy Collins]

Since end of 2011, with the deterioration of my health and subsequent long recovery, this has made me think about how I would have got on in full time employment. Now a Large company will have people on long term sick sometimes until retirement, or light duties for the foreseeable. I'm not so naive to believe this is even possible in tree work. But what does an employer do. When a member of staff is most vulnerable, most down on his luck with serious illness? Do you just pop up to visit, and hand over their P45? The potential for them to never be able to get back to full strength will mean they are hardly employable any more, in the real world you can't afford to carry anyone. What scope does Employment Law have for this, to protect both the employer and of course the employee?

[likeitorlumpit]

Are you thinking of sacking yourself Andy:001_smile:

[headgroundsman]

An Employer should make " reasonable adjustments" to the work place for a disabled worker. However if there are no other duties available and they can no longer do the work them it is lawful to dismiss them. As far as paying someone while off sick is concerned. Unless there has been a previous agreement to pay someone on sick leave then they we go on Statutory Sick Pay for up to 6 months.

[Andy Collins]

Are you thinking of sacking yourself Andy:001_smile:

 

No no, but I put myself in the shoes of an employed person, perhaps with a similar drawn out illness, and just wondered how I would have stood in that situation.

I know the police service is full of officers kept on on light duties until they can collect their pensions, and I know a tree services company would rarely be able to afford this luxury.

Is the potential for being laid off a good reason to take a precaution against it? Insurance, even if you are employed helps to soften the blow.

[Mark Cattell]

Unless your local authority then any sick pay is short term... i.e. up to 6 months to 1 year.. after that you would be on benefits... Lots of insurance out their and all costs money...

I take my chances and have none other than those held by the business.. no critical illness ect. That said my good wife is a secondary school teacher and would have to work full time if could not.... Still paying the odds as if we both fell ill we be on the breadline but you take your chances..... I'm sure like you hindsight and some illness cover would have been very useful but the one's i looked at had some many restrictions and lead in time that they always seemed poor value...

 

If you find a product that seems to fit the bill the let me know....

 

Glad to hear your on the upwards end of recovery... good health to you and all for the future.

[skyhuck]

All working people already pay insurance, its called "National insurance contributions" if needs be this should pay the essentials.

 

If you have a life style thats above the essentials and don't wish to give those things up if illness hits, you need to take out further insurance cover for that.

[Brick100]

When accepting any offer of work always get the details sorted in writting before you start, don't rely on the statute book to support or you may be Disappointed.

[woodyguy]

As someone else said earlier, you are employed to do a job. If you are sick long term and can't do that job, then although big or kind hearted employers may be flexible, you can lose your job. There is no compulsion to find you alternative tasks within the company.

 

Bearing that in mine, as a self-employed person I've paid critical illness insurance for 30 years and never claimed on it. Must have paid many thousands for that peace of mind. In reality it is too expensive to fully insure your earnings. Relying on NI pay outs however is risky as your standard of living would be very poor indeed. I fund a half way house. Spouse would need to work more and I'd expect a lower standard of living. Like everything its a balance.