Fit notes/return to work

I'm hoping though not exactly about UC directly someone may have useful info.

Younger person has survived life threatening cancer after a year and a half's gruelling treatments. Still has bad fatigue and various lasting aches and pains caused by both the cancer and the treatments. Helpful GP has provided a fit note for phased return to a demanding, shift-work job [catering]. However after a short time the employer is rostering the person as if nothing ever happened, 12 hour shifts back-to-back etc. Please does the fit note have any actual force, if so, how can they get the employer to be more reasonable and eg limit hours, and days worked?

Many thanks in hopes to B&W Mods and Community

Thanks Gary, yes, supposedly they are on a phased return. I hadn't thought of ACAS, I had suggested joining a Union though it's a very un-union area of work. Very grateful for your reply which I will pass on.
Denby

Total respect to you, and the very best of luck with your future.

Hello denby,

I really feel for your young friend and I'm sorry I have no useful advice, just sympathy. I have a couple of friends in a similar position, one having survived cancer, the other living with heart disease, although they, fortunately, are nearing retirement and have other sources of income. My son, too, struggles in every job he ever gets because of his disabilities.

This is a very real dilemma for both employers and employees. Even a sympathetic and helpful employer may struggle with making "reasonable adjustments" because this often relies on the co-operation of colleagues, which is not always forthcoming. Other employees can (and do) make life very difficult when they see a colleague being given what they perceive as "favourable" treatment, whatever the reason.

The difficulty of enforcing the provisions of the Equality Act, which largely relies on the goodwill of employers to comply, is one of the reasons the Government's aims of getting more people with disabilities into employment is unrealistic, even though many want to work.

Nevertheless, I very much hope it all works out well for your friend.

Best wishes,

Wendy

Hi @wendy woo

Thanks for sharing sons experience. I agree

My son gave it a 'good go', as did his line mgr, to implement reasonable adjustments under guidance from OHT. however after exhausting all options they let him go, or rather he pre-empted the dismissal by leaving.

He couldn't cope with the stress of the employer engagement re his health and capability. it was all outta of his control tbh. A tough thing to confront and accept at the time.

He's still on a journey to regain confidence and employment.