Knee and back injury

[johnmerrick]

Ive had a bit of trouble concerning an incident/accident at work. This all begat aabout a year ago now, while out on delivery i noticed that movenent in my knee was restricted i dismissed it at first but the pain increased and movment decreased to the extent that i informed my manager a few days later. I said i didnt think i would get the walk finished in the alloted time or at all if i was being honest. I was told to go out and see what i could do. Stupidly, i did. Around 3/4 of the way round, sonething popped or snapped and i hit the deck. Went to the A&E, they said not much wong. So i took a few days off work. The pain didnt go away, i went back to work on light duties. I pestered my doctor and eventually got referral to a specialist. In this time Royal Mail sent me to Physio who didnt see any problem and ATOS who did. I continued working on light duties till October when the pain was too much to handle. Had arthroscopy, where they did something to knee( shaved bone and something to do with cartiledge) in November and was told in would be 2-3 months recovery.

Since then i have still been in pain and am in no condition to go back to work even on light duties for the forseeable future. Its knocking on a year ive lost of my own life, not just working. Any advice? Was not very happy with the nhs GPs' , took far too long to be referred and i missed out that on inspection from the knee specialist i have some sort of deep tissue injury on my lower back. When will it end?

This is not helped with the fact i may have found another job. Cant sit stand of walk for prolonged periods. This is solely down to working for Royal mail!

[banddy]

you could be looking at IHR (ill health retirement) - which is basically a dismissal on medical grounds.

unless you are willing to maybe do an office type job (get retraining etc...)
that is probably how RM will view this as they will not pay you for ever to be off work.

unless you are willing to be "reasonably" flexible (pardon the pun), you could be pushed out the door.

if they pursue IHR - you will get 2 choices

1 - IHR with immediate pension
or
2 - IHR will lump sum (pension at retirement age)

only you will decide which one you take

[fishtank]

if they pursue IHR - you will get 2 choices

1 - IHR with immediate pension
or
2 - IHR will lump sum (pension at retirement age)

only you will decide which one you take

Banndy the choice of pension or lump sum is not yours to make.

4. DEFINITIONS OF ILL HEALTH RETIREMENT

4.1 “Retirement on ill health grounds with immediate pension” means the cessation of employment as a result of serious physical or mental ill health (not simply a decline in energy or ability) such that, in the opinion of Royal Mail Group or associated employer the member is permanently incapable of:

a) carrying out his current duties;

b) carrying out such other duties for the employer as the employer might reasonably expect the member to perform; and

c) engaging in employment with any other employer of a type which, in the opinion of his present employer, would be reasonable and appropriate for the member.



4.2 “Retirement on ill health grounds with lump sum payment” means the cessation of employment as a result of serious physical or mental ill health (not simply a decline in energy or ability) such that, in the opinion of Royal Mail Group or associated employer, the employee is, for the foreseeable future, incapable of:

a) carrying out his current duties;

b) carrying out such other duties for the employer as the employer might reasonably expect the member to perform

They are two completely separate....long term and short term outcomes decided by they employer with input from EHS(ATOS) and your own Doctor(s).
At the end of the day the only choice you get is whether to accept or appeal the decision.

[johnmerrick]

thanks very much, very helpful. One last question posted on at the end sorry, lol.
About this other job that i may or may not have, could i start it before a final decision is made by the post office? Or do i have to remain twiddling my thumbs for a few more months?