Is my employer playing games?

Phone them now and have a conversation. It's not a one way street?

You've probably just slipped to the bottom of the pile of things that need doing. If there's been a delay in getting the equipment they've just put it to one side to be dealt with later.

It happens.

As Illte said, you need to be proactive. But I would also email them after the phone call so it’s in writing. ??

I agree that you should phone your company and as suggested above, email afterwards confirming the conversation.

Clearly you need support after such a lengthy sickness absence. I am glad you’re now sufficiently recovered to be able to phase back into working.

If you leave your job, do think about the current environment for finding another. Also think about what your CV will look like with a lengthy sickness gap and what your employer would say in your reference.

Good luck.

Agree with above posts. It worries me that you don't enjoy your job, and I think you should consider what you would like to do in the longer term, but be aware that if you leave your job now, it might be hard to find work in the current circumstances. Being proactive will help to reduce your feelings of anxiety and help you to regain a feeling of control over your life. I hope that your health continues to improve. Good luck!

I would ring HR and see what is happening. There are set procedures they have to follow if they want to reduce your hours or get rid of you. If you can work from home, you might find things a little more enjoyable and if it isn't working for the company, they might offer you a redundancy package which has to be preferable to just leaving.

I agree with others. I have been brought up in a generation that expects others to communicate but sadly this doesn't happen like it did although it is a lot simpler now. From plumbers to - like you employers . I don't take anything for granted. Silence means I have to take the lead and in your case it seems the easiest option . Good luck.

Phone on a speaker phone and record the conversation for future reference

Yes they are playing games probably with the view of making you leave. Whatever you do, do not resign! If they want you to go then make them go through the route of medically retiring you properly. If you can work from home to get you back in the swing of things then do so, as if they don’t follow what your GP has suggested they could be in trouble later on. If you do get medically retired will you manage going forwards? If you just leave then it may impact on any benefits you can claim. Is your GP Supportive? Or if you do want to leave, what’s the likelihood of being able to find a job you do like? Get that job first if thinking of leaving! Good luck and maybe give ACAS a google, they have good advice online as does Citizens Advice, or give them a call x

Just send a brief email - "Sorry to bother you, will the equipment be available by Friday or should I extend my sick note another week?"

All employers are under incredible stress just now - you are one of many issues they have to deal with.

But, do look at what you really want - if work stresses you out, is there a possibility of a less demanding way of earning? Have you spoken to Occupational Health recently and what has their advice been?

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Oooh, and as said above, make sure you have a good paper trail, be better done by Email as you should not be recording calls if permission hasn’t been granted!

Was in a similar situation 17 years ago. Agree with others, talk to them. My employer wanted to keep a valued worker and did allow me to do a phased return from home, hopefully yours will too.

I’d call them but if your not happy why are you going back. When furloughed staff are taken back in October when furlough ends there employers are being given £1000 per employee if they keep them in employment for 3 months an incentive for employees to keep staff in work. Not sure this applies to you.

I would phone and ask them what is going on .
They have a legal responsibility to help you back to work and “work” around your physical needs .
If they cannot offer you alternate work .
If they can’t they will have to retire you on health reasons .
Do not leave that would be playing into their hands and only benefit them not you .
They may ask you for permission to check your health records
If they do make sure them pay for them not you .
MAKE Sure you only sign release of your records that only concern this issue you are suffering now not full medical records.
You also need to see the records before they are sent to your employers to make sure you are happy for them to see them .
This goes for any hospital records also not just your GP and other health workers you have seen .

Try to keep strong by not leaving work without all this first because you will end up being just if not more stressed trying to deal with Job Centre and other benefits claims .

If they retire you because of health it will be better all round

They shouldn’t be asking you to extend your sick note because they can’t get the equipment to you! I would ring and speak to your HR contact and ask for clarification.

Under no circumstances do you resign! You need occupational health involved in your phased return! You must keep clear notes of all conversations! Are you in a union? ACAS should help as well

Give ACAS a call they will advise you on your employment rights! Do not resign! If they want to dismiss you on grounds of incapacity they have to prove that they have followed the correct process; if they don’t you may have a claim for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination! I don’t know how long you have worked there and that would also have a bearing on any claim so do get advice

Your employer may not be playing games with you, but treat this as if he is. It will cost you least in the long run.

Ring and ask and get on to your union and explain the situation to them.

If your employer hasn't told you exactly where you stand by Monday morning then you need your union rep. to help.

Do not resign. If they want rid of you, then it is up to them to find legal grounds to sack you. Again get your union to take it up with the firm if they terminate your employment.

I hope everything turns out all right and when you get back to work, start looking for a new and better job.

Don't leave voluntarily, have a discussion with them and explain your situation, then if they want to let them make you redundant where at least you should receive some sort of payment from them.

Just to say there is nothing in law to say you can be medically retired on health grounds. Some employers like the NHS do offer this you’d need to check your contract of employment. It would be better not to resign because you’d miss out on notice pay which you’d be entitled to if they dismissed you .

Do Not Leave. You need to wait until you have seen occupational health and if I was you I would stay off sick until you have seen them. They will make recommendations on how you should be working, what hours etc. It may well be that they recommend your are retired on the grounds of ill health. I don't know what sort of company you are working for but if its local government they will then add several years to your final pension. etc.
Examples my husband had been ill for some time and was then able to return to work but had to see an OH, they recommended that his travel time to work wa taken into consideration as part of day, which meant he was home for 3 pm each day, I was retired on the grounds OH. That my fatigue was part of my chronic illness and the company could do nothing to overcome or compensate for this so I could work. Retired on the grounds of ill health.
Just stay calm, have a conversation with your HR but do what is best for you and your health.

I would do all correspondence by email then you've got proof if you need it of what's been said.

As others have suggested speak to your employer about the equipment and return to work date and arrangement and follow up with email. Contrary to what done others have said your contact of employment might be brought to an end by your employer on grounds of your inability to do the job but if you are deemed disabled by OCC Health then reasonable adjustments need to be made by employer first, if the dismissal is to be on fair grounds.
Don't resign voluntarily. But do be proactive in trying to return in line with OCC Health recommendations.

The jobs market is dire at the moment.

As I said get proper advice from ACAS or citizens advice