IHR advice

[Manofletters91]

Hi there.

I know personally of a couple of people who have been finished with it in the past year or so. The severity of my condition means I'm highly unlikely to be able to return to work in any capacity. It's really up to them to make the right decision now.

[wrongturn]

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[Manofletters91]

I think when OH are classing you as disabled, you have a reasonably solid case for leaving the business through ill health.

Adjustments etc cannot be used as a means for me to return to work - first I must be deemed fit for work. OH themselves have stated I am unfit for work in any capacity. The likelihood of this changing after 14+ months off sick (now on zero pay) is incredibly slim.

[Sugar]

Hi, wot is PILON and IRH. I've been off for over 7 months.Under medication and counselling mental health.Full support from OH. Hopefully I will b able to go back.Im just worried if I can't go back.Been there 8 yrs although it feels like 20.

PILON - Payment In Lieu Of Notice.

IHR - Ill Health Retirement.

[Sugar]

Been off sick with anxiety and depression for well over a year. Management have twice offered a PILON settlement of around 5-6k for me to leave the business, which I’ve refused. This shows to me that they know I will not be able to return to work. My last OH report was damning and I’ve shown no signs of recovery.

I’m going to raise a grievance as my rep has asked twice for me to be referred for IHR and they are now refusing. What’s my chances of success?

I got IHR for depression (work induced) and the pay-out was 12 weeks PILON and a lump sum for just over 20 years service. I think your managers are trying to mug you off. Your rep should be flagging this up to area or branch as a matter of urgency as this could be adversely affecting your current mental health condition. I would also speak to HR ,if you feel you can, and explain the situation to them. Putting a grievance in could end up adding to your metal health issues because management will just try to drag it out as long as possible to see if you cave in.

Hi again

I submitted a grievance before seeing this, it has timed out today and I've heard nothing. After speaking to my rep, DOM is claiming that they haven't heard anything about my case, so I've supplied my rep with the email from employee relations which clearly stated it had been logged with a case number and that the manager in question had 28 days to conclude it. Turns out the DOM is leaving soon, so clearly they simply don't want to deal with it.

It's a long old slog this.

Definitely sounds like your DOM is acting like a complete ar$ehole about this. IIRC when a grievance times out you escalate it to a stage two so I'd get your rep to look into doing that if you feel you can handle it.

[Sugar]

Emailed branch sec today as still heard nothing, wait to see what comes back.

Obviously mgmt are just ignoring it on purpose and letting me stew. The fact that OH said I'd be considered disabled under the Equality Act obviously didn't move them...

My rep was pushing hard to get me classed as disabled under the equality act to give me some sort of protection from possibly having too much time off with my condition. Management did nothing to get it sorted. Looking back I think it was deliberate.

[Sugar]

Emailed branch sec today as still heard nothing, wait to see what comes back.

Obviously mgmt are just ignoring it on purpose and letting me stew. The fact that OH said I'd be considered disabled under the Equality Act obviously didn't move them...

Think u'll find it hard to get IHR just from depression and anxiety not saying its impossible but royal Mail won't want to give IHR away easily.

Depression and anxiety can get better over time too. so might be better chance for you to ask them to facilitate your needs at work with your own route or working on your own or anything else that could help you ?

I got IHR with those conditions and know of a few more from our office that went the same way in the space of about 18 months.

[Manofletters91]

Been off sick with anxiety and depression for well over a year. Management have twice offered a PILON settlement of around 5-6k for me to leave the business, which I’ve refused. This shows to me that they know I will not be able to return to work. My last OH report was damning and I’ve shown no signs of recovery.

I’m going to raise a grievance as my rep has asked twice for me to be referred for IHR and they are now refusing. What’s my chances of success?

I got IHR for depression (work induced) and the pay-out was 12 weeks PILON and a lump sum for just over 20 years service. I think your managers are trying to mug you off. Your rep should be flagging this up to area or branch as a matter of urgency as this could be adversely affecting your current mental health condition. I would also speak to HR ,if you feel you can, and explain the situation to them. Putting a grievance in could end up adding to your metal health issues because management will just try to drag it out as long as possible to see if you cave in.

Hi again

I submitted a grievance before seeing this, it has timed out today and I've heard nothing. After speaking to my rep, DOM is claiming that they haven't heard anything about my case, so I've supplied my rep with the email from employee relations which clearly stated it had been logged with a case number and that the manager in question had 28 days to conclude it. Turns out the DOM is leaving soon, so clearly they simply don't want to deal with it.

It's a long old slog this.

Definitely sounds like your DOM is acting like a complete ar$ehole about this. IIRC when a grievance times out you escalate it to a stage two so I'd get your rep to look into doing that if you feel you can handle it.

Thanks. It's getting on my nerves but I'm trying to keep a cool head with it.

I received a reply from my branch sec and a disagreement has now been raised (not 100% sure what that means but it could be related to Stage Two?). He's said all I can do now is wait for the grievance and disagreement to be heard. I wonder how long that might be? If this rumbles on much longer I'll be certifiably insane.

[wrongturn]

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[97gaz]

From What I know , it usually needs 12 months on sick leave and referral to OH for IHR.
They will ask for medical records from your GP to confirm your condition ,so it’s important that you have had some dialogue with your GP otherwise you may find your IHR payment refused.

There is no set time off before you can qualify for IHR. I had just started to get half pay when I went and that included three months shielding. I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 9 years and struggled on for years before I realised I couldn't do it anymore. After referral to OH they agreed there was no prospect of it improving as the disease is progressive so off into the sunset I went.

I would argue that it is easier to get IHR if you haven't been off a year as it is cheaper for the company the earlier you go.

[97gaz]

just thinking about this and everyfing simon saying. wouldnt surprise one bit if they wanted to try and scrap that IHR lump sum . what you think chances of that happening are ?

100%

[grandypants]

Ive been gone nearly 2 years now due to hip problems couldnt walk the distances required ( best thing ever ) I walked away with if I remember right £21000, got my life back after 20 odd years there and now in a part time job which I enjoy very much, there is life after RM

[wrongturn]

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[wazer]

Went to see boss yesterday ,he asked me when I will be going back because he said I would be up for IHR .I don't want it told him that.My question is why. I've been on sick with mental health issues {not work realated)for 5 months.I thought this was not mentioned till at least after a Yr being on sick.Just found it was strange.Worked there for 8yrs.

[97gaz]

Went to see boss yesterday ,he asked me when I will be going back because he said I would be up for IHR .I don't want it told him that.My question is why. I've been on sick with mental health issues {not work realated)for 5 months.I thought this was not mentioned till at least after a Yr being on sick.Just found it was strange.Worked there for 8yrs.

You don't need to be off a year before the possibility of IHR comes off. In fact of all the IHR that have happened in my office, none have been on the sick twelve months. I know of at least 7 people out of 75 staff who have got IHR in the last two years.

If OH come to the conclusion that you cannot return for any role in the foreseeable future, then they can IHR you at any time.