Disappointment with employer - on SSP after just 2 months

Life after stroke Returning to work and benefits
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In late October I suffered an Ischaemic stroke. I am 46. I was very fit and until this point, with the exception of COVID had only taken the odd day off work.

But just five weeks after having my stroke, I was told by my employer (whom I have worked for, for nearly 20 years) that my occupational sick pay was ending and that I would be on half pay for one month and then on SSP from then on. I am fortunate in that I have enough savings that I can cope, I also know there will be people on this forum who are self-employed or work for employers even less generous than mine, but I feel hugely disappointed and let down - especially after such a length of service.

How can anyone think that SSP of just £109.00 per week is a reasonable way to treat someone or supports ‘returning to work when you’re ready’. I have spent all of Christmas worrying about this and getting stressed as well as angry. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I express my disappointment to my employer without affecting my long-term career? How do I make them understand that my stroke recovery may take many months and that financial security is a key part of well-being.

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My first point of call would be my union. Are you a member?
I am assuming they are working to the letter of your contract. If not, you may need to consider legal action.

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Hi Rufus & welcome to the forum. Sorry you’ve had cause to join us & to hear of your SSP situation.

I don’t know who you work for but do they have a sick pay policy & if do have they followed it? Where I work the policy is laid out & can’t be over ridden.

If there is no policy & it is down to management discretion I would be looking to find out whether this is usual practice or not.

If you’re a TU member speak with them & ask them to help. If not get advice from ACAS or Citizens Advice (CAB). They can hopefully help with the best way to approach your employer.

If you have paid NI contributions for the last 2 years you may be eligible for new Style ESA. It isn’t neans tested. CAB can advise on other things you may be entitled too.

Best wishes

Ann

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Really sorry to hear this. In your shoes I would be livid and would send a strongly worded email to the top dog!

Definitely check your sickness and absence policies. Depending on length of service and any prior sickness absences in the past rolling 12mts (usually) you may be entitled to more of your regular pay.

Below is everything I had to do and would advise everyone who was working before their stroke.

Following this, if you’re covered for Income Protection insurance via your employer ironically this may be a life saver. It usually kicks in with a % of your normal salary after 6mts continuous sick leave and lasts x years but check your insurance. Unfortunately I was misadvised by my employer so I did not know I was eligible. If you can survive financially and don’t / can’t go back to work earlier it could be strategically advantageous financially to stay off to claim it.

If / when you return they should put you back to full pay and you’ll likely be on a phased return to work plan. If you need to see Occ Health again this may be extended. The irony being that they might not pay you to get well but they will pay you to be sick or on a phased return when half the time is absent. Not sure if employers are obliged to do this but mine did.

IMPORTANT! This may sound like a strange comment but make sure you have the ‘Family Legal Protection’ option on your home or car insurance right NOW. If your employer does anything dodgy after the policy starts it could give you peace of mind with up to £100k worth of legal expense cover for a range of issues including employment.

Join a union at work or find a general open one online directly with a small subscription (even smaller if you are out of work). Hopefully you will not need it but you must be in one before they can help or represent you for something that happens at work (and before a serious incident happens) as part of the service for free. Otherwise you can pay for a TU rep to join formal meetings and represent you directly but that is much more costly.

Make sure you get assessed and support from Occ Health as early as possible if / when you are thinking of going back for their guidance any reasonable adjustments you may need. I was able to return. Make sure it is face to face (if possible) and see the report first, before it is sent to your employer. Interestingly, I had a line in mine about always having someone with me for any formal (where HR attend and make notes). This should be set up with at least 7 days notice.

Please don’t bumble in thinking they will greet you with flowers and tea and you’ll be fine. I mean they should but just in case, talk to an expert, get representation, bring your adult child or friend if you have to, that is a reasonable adjustment!). And record these meetings no matter what anyone says. You may thank me later for saying that. If you had/have to face it alone don’t agree to anything or sign anything until you have sought advice and have a copy of any minutes. You may have a different recollection and you can amend the record or write your own and submit them.

I realise this is a very difficult time. I was there too. I hope this helps in terms of the big picture. Best wishes for your recovery.

The punchline in my case…tribunal. My employer felt the full force of the law.

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Hello Rufus,
Welcome and sorry that your employer is not playing ball or working with you. There’s lots of good advice here to explore. Your situation shows how poor some companies view disability. I’d be reminding HR about that. Your company should be offering phased return as you’ve been a good employee and a long term one.
Writing to the CEO might be a good idea. Start with “I’m very disappointed…” Is your manager’s hands tied by company policy? Remind them of your loyalty and good service.
Whatever you do - don’t quit, keep going. :+1:

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