fit to work note and work not doing anything

[ladyjayne]

So I spoke to my doctor about feeling nauseous and barely keeping anything down we had a chat about how its much easier when i get lots of rest. Currently I work looong days doing 3 10 hour shifts and a 13 hour shift each week, which makes me feel awful. He wrote me a fit to work note saying that they had to amend my hours and duties for me to cope with the sickness. It normally hits by about 3pm.
The thing is I took my note to my "manager" (temporary... propper one is on AL till monday) who was really nice about it but said in the end they cant do anything till propper manager is back. I still have to do my hours and even the 13hr shift on sat. I managed to finish early today coz i started wretching at work but she still thinks this is ok and has told me I have to be reviewed by occupational health to see if the note is valid?????
The doctor wrote it so surely its valid and i dont need occy health to say the same thing, and I really cant do a 13hr day let alone on sat where later on it goes down to just 9 of us (if were lucky) and that makes things dangerous for patients if im not fit.
What do you ladies think.. should I go in tommorow and tell them I am NOT doing the long shifts and they"ll need to get someone to cover the evening as i've got the sick note or do i have to be reviewed by occy health before they have to listen to the docs "fit to return note"??? This is all really new to me as with my DS it was a pretty easy pregnancy.

 

[kat2504]

They are being out of order as you have a doctors note.
Basically, the doctor says you are ONLY fit to work reduced hours. If you can't do those hours and it is not your fault because work haven't done anything, then you are within your rights to go off sick. Stay off sick until they sort it out because you have been told that you are NOT FIT to go and do that long shift.

 

[no drama mama]

I agree with kat.

 

[kat2504]

Also occupational health are there to review your duties so that they fall in line with what your doctor says you can do. They can not override a doctors note. If you have a sick note/fit note then they are contravening the rules on liability if you do the work anyways. If you are sick from being made to do something that they knew you were not fit for, they could be in trouble.
You mention patients. Are you working for the NHS and have they done your risk assessment yet? They must do this and each place will have a written policy on pregnancy. Whatever is mentioned on your fit note must be taken into account.

 

[tessiekins]

Agreed!! Totally ridiculous, I couldn't even cope with 9 hour days so I admire u for even trying! They've got to understand, just get sent home on saturday, or ring up, or even maybe get your midwife to call? My drop in centre did that for me to get me into my GP, u shudn't have to stress about this xxx

 

[SabrinaKat]

where are you located? If you are Ireland or the UK, call the Equality Authority to get immediate help; they can't disregard doctor's orders!

best wishes

 

[ladyjayne]

Thanks girlies. I didnt think i was wrong in thinking it meant i couldnt work those long days. Will deffinately be having words with them tommorow and making sure that I finish early. Theres no way I can cope with another 10hr shift let alone the 13hr day.
And Kat2504 I do work for the NHS in theatres. They've done my risk assement but went back on it completely today when I asked to be taken out of the theatre using x-rays. saying that the radiographers all do it so I should just wear the lead gown and carry on. (i was told in the risk assement that there is always a small risk and if i was uncomfortable theyd move me.) I was not happy and Im deffinately bringing it up with occy health.
Ahhh just have to be strong and stand up to them or I can see them making this pregnancy hell! xx