I have had three dealings with occupational health. The first was after a disc bulged in my neck as a young man. I had to pay at visit to an office that belonged to the local council and see a medical professional. Although the office turned out to be nothing more than a chicken shack at the rear of a dilapidated car park ,the experience supported my medical need for remaining off work.
The second experience was after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at 48. This time it was a telephone conversation with a private company. As the first time, the medical professional laid out a number of reasonable adjustments my work could make to hours and conditions. The workplace honoured these, especially my line manager who felt surer of what I was able to do.
The third time, a mere two years later, was in response to my workplace making significant changes of my role. This time occupational health was a large office in the financial district of central London, a different company to the second This time , unlike the previous occasions, I was in significant need of support for mental health which had been compromised by my working conditions. The medical professional was offhand, disinterested, unwilling to make a decision and in the end recommended what would be the ‘best for me’ but saying I was fit to work under the significant changed conditions being imposed.
Two months later I was at the doctors signed off sick with stress. The doctors only comment, said in a very supportive way was “Not another one…what are they doing to people in education?”
Now there’s a very good question…what are we doing to people in education…McAnswers on a….