Medical Separation

[fhawn]

Hello,


My doctor has informed my employer that I have a permanent disability with PTSD. My employer in turn has medically separated me from work.
I’m currently on disability for 6 months and have to be released by my doctor to find work that I can do with a permanent disability.
The other option is to go on ling term disability but they have to prove I can not do other work.
I guess I can sit in a cubical and do computer work...would like to go to school to be retrained. I’ve been working in a prison since I was 20 I don’t know anything else.:wall:

 

[TLight]

I don't know what caused your PTSD.........but working in a prison sounds pretty stressful to me. May not be the best type of work.

Take the opportunity to be retrained in something that might be soothing for you....The long term disability route can be tough. I'm on SSD and you have to document, document document..........then wait wait wait........then fight fight fight. However, if you have a union behind you, I think its much easier.

 

[Ladyhope Somerset]

hi fhawn

If you are in the UK the following might help but as TLight says your Union should be able to guide you.

Your occupational health doc should make recommendations about your return to work and under the disability discrimination act your employer is obliged to make 'reasonable adjustments' in line with those recommendations. That could be redeployment to another area within the prison service or even to another public sector employer. Also Human Resources should be supporting you.

The capability assessment is set up by Jobcentre+ to see if you are fit for some kind of work. Their doc may suggest that you could benefit from retraining.
The Jobcentre can give you more info and refer you to their Disability Employment Advisor.

You've know those guys in the prison service a long time so hopefully you will get support from some of your colleagues. Try to stay in touch.

You may also find SHIFT interesting - they are working on eliminating stigma around mental health (www.Shift.org.uk). They have a good book (40 or so pages downloadable) for employers, called the Line Managers Resource. It identifies good practice for helping people with mental health problems return to work.

Good luck
LH

 

[Tessa]

I was assessed as permanent disability . I was moved to a smaller community however I was able to continue my work with regular psych support.

It does not seem right that they sererated you due to PTSD. This could be discrimination. Unions can help.

It is a rollercoaster ride. I hope you find something that interests you and keeps you going.

Take care
Tessa