Company GP

ricicle

Hi can work make you see the company GP regarding mental health? I refused and then they settled for a call, now he’s emailing me and calling me trying to get in touch, I don’t want to speak with him, do I have to? I don’t want HR to know anything. I already see a psychiatrist but I don’t want them to know that either, yes I am struggling but I need this job; my contract will be up for renewal soon and there is a position for me; I want to stay but if they get wind of my illness I’m gone.

gwalk

ricicle wrote: »

Hi can work make you see the company GP regarding mental health? I refused and then they settled for a call, now he’s emailing me and calling me trying to get in touch, I don’t want to speak with him, do I have to? I don’t want HR to know anything. I already see a psychiatrist but I don’t want them to know that either, yes I am struggling but I need this job; my contract will be up for renewal soon and there is a position for me; I want to stay but if they get wind of my illness I’m gone.

If you're refusing to cooperate with them you may be gone anyway

ricicle

gwalk wrote: »

If you're refusing to cooperate with them you may be gone anyway

It’s not that I am refusing to cooperate, I had one call with him; and I am afraid he will tell HR my diagnosis. Once they know that they will think I am unstable and not renew my contract; I have help outside of work; I just don’t want work involved,

antix80

They probably already suspect it's mental health-related.

It's a reasonable request to see the company doctor. If you want to keep your job I'd advise you to have the courtesy to return the call and arrange an appointment.

Del2005

ricicle wrote: »

It’s not that I am refusing to cooperate, I had one call with him; and I am afraid he will tell HR my diagnosis. Once they know that they will think I am unstable and not renew my contract; I have help outside of work; I just don’t want work involved,

IIRC your medical records will still be confidential between you and the doctor. They'll just inform the company that you are or aren't available for work.

You definitely won't have a job if you don't go to the company doctor and will be in a bad position if you go to the WRC.

Another day

It is possible refusal will give them grounds to let you go. As stated your GP will only advise if fit for work, they cannot give a diagnosis to your employer. Go, it may do you good to get more help and support and that includes from the our workplace.

ZiabR

You would be advised to go to the company GP. It is standard policy. They will not tell HR of your diagnosis but will advise them if you are fit to work or not. Refusing to speak or see the company GP will likely result in dismissal anyway so I don’t see the companies request as outside of the ordinary.

Sheog

Where I work we have a very generous sick pay scheme, which is great when it is required. However, a lot of people abuse it so HR require sometimes that people on long terms sick leave attend the company doctor. They also require that you go to the company doctor if you have been out for a while to ensure that you are fit to return to work. (for insurance reasons.)

The company doctor cannot and will not disclose any diagnosis to your company. It will just be an assessment to say whether or not you are fit for work. If it happens that you are not fit for work, then you may need to take agreed sick leave. (Most companies have a scheme or a policy which you will have agreed to in your contract.)

I'm not a legal or a HR person, but you should definitely check your contract, especially around sick leave and situations where they can terminate your contract so that you are sure of what your entitlements are.

Ursus Horribilis

A guy in a place I used to work lost his job over something a bit like this. He was on probation and went out on sick leave for an extended time. He was seeing a doctor of some sort but refused to engage with the company doctor. The result was that they gave him his marching orders.

I think you're already on the slippery slope here. Your employers wouldn't have asked the company doctor to see you if they didn't think there was something wrong in the first place. Your evasiveness is simply adding to their suspicions. Make that appointment and see him asap. I can't see how you telling him that you're already under the care of a psychiatrist elsewhere can do you any harm at this stage.

seamus

The doctor cannot tell HR your diagnosis. If he did, he'd be struck off and would be liable for criminal prosecution.

Regardless of who pays for the doctor, confidentiality of patient records is of the utmost importance. The doctor will not tell the company anything that you don't approve.

The purpose of the visit really is for the doctor to confirm whether you are fit to work - yes or no - nothing more. The doctor gets paid the same fee regardless of the outcome so he has no incentive to catch you out or get you back to work.

SirChenjin

seamus wrote: »

The purpose of the visit really is for the doctor to confirm whether you are fit to work - yes or no - nothing more.The doctor gets paid the same fee regardless of the outcome so he has no incentive to catch you out or get you back to work.

+1 to this.

There was actually a similar thread in the Work forum fairly recently and the OP found it really helpful to attend - despite having dreaded the thought of visiting the company doctor.