I've just been told that I'm "Unfit for Work"- public service employee

garrett b

Hello,

I'm a public service employee, 20 years in, full time permanent. 57 yrs old. I work in the third level sector (not a teacher/academic). Five years ago my eyesight sort of collapsed in one eye, several surgeries later ( vitrectomy, cataracts, intraocular lenses) it's sort of better, but certainly not as good as before. At one stage the consultant told me that I was legally blind. Thankfully, obviously, I'm not. In 2021 I had retinal bleeding. A course of injections over the summer. This may reoccur. there's no way to predict this, it can only be treated after the fact. regular outpatient check ups. Since then my sight has deteriorated. My "good" eye has a now a big increase in floaters. Close work, like this, using a PC, has become more and more difficult, uncomfortable. The company got me a larger monitor and a desk magnifier. Some days after work i have very bad eyestrain, headaches. In lowish light a few stumbles, missed steps. General feeling of unwell all the time. I asked the hospital consultant for a note to explain my problems with using a PC. I'm required to use the computer a lot in the job. I gave it to my manager and a medical or interview with occupational therapist in Medmark, the company's doctor, was arranged.

last week the Medmark doctor rang me to say that they were going to tell my employer that, I their opinion I am now "unfit for work." They suggest that I may be able to do other duties, but, in their opinion I'm unfit for work. I asked my union what's going to happen next. They said if it's a medical health issue they have little influence on what the employer decides.

Of course I've been scouring the net, including my employer's site. There's not much there. Just about illness benefit and disability benefit. I don't know if i would be eligible for a early retirement pension; the pension I would get at 66+ my workplace pension.

So far I've heard nothing from HR or from my section management. Has anyone had a similar experience to this? Your thoughts, insights would be appreciated.

btw, it's long time to write this, thank god for spellcheck.

Geuze

In the PS, there is an ill-health early-retirement pension.

https://www.publicservicepensions.gov.ie/en/topic/ill-health-retirement-ihr/

Overview

Ill Health Retirement (IHR), where approved, allows public servants to retire prior to their minimum pension age and receive immediate payment of their pension benefits without actuarial reduction and, subject to eligibility criteria, an award of notional added years.

A decision to grant Ill Health Retirement rests with the relevant employer, and is subject to an approval process which includes an appropriate medical assessment having been carried out by the relevant medical professional. Further details are set out in Circular 22/2007.

The information on this page relates to IHR arrangements in pre-existing public service pension schemes. For information on the IHR arrangements under the Single Scheme, please see https://singlepensionscheme.gov.ie/.

banie01

I am sorry you are after encountering such an opinion from medmark, I'm furious for you that such a potentially devastating piece of news was delivered to you via a phonecall. I'm firmly of the opinion that news such as you have received should be delivered face to face.

Regarding your next steps, I do have some experience of being medically retired and I hope that what I can share will help.

I was medically retired in 2019 at 39yo. I was initially off work sick and being paid illness benefit. Over the course of my illness the DSP did call me in for a medical review and after requesting a report from my GP & specialist, I was moved from Illness Benefit to invalidity pension.

Regarding what supports may be available to you. On the financial front, if you have an income protection plan, or if your employer offers Permanent Health Insurance , start finding out what is needed to make a claim. Illness benefit is payable for 2 yrs. During that period you will still earn credited PRSI contributions towards your OAP.

If you are awarded Invalidity pension, that credited PRSI contribution will continue and will ensure you receive a full contributory pension at retirement.

Regarding any additional pension scheme you may have via your employer. There will be an option to take early retirement or to drawdown pension funds due to your medical circumstances.

Other things to check if you have mortgage protection policy or other financial insurance in place and to get everything in order should you need to make a claim.

May I ask if your employer offers an Employee support programme? If they do, speak to them. They will be able to either assist directly or point you in the direction of people who can. Also, given the turmoil you are no doubt experiencing right now, if they have a counselling service? You may find that helpful too.

Your employer may be able to offer you some further accomodations or indeed a change of role that you may feel able to undertake. Don't write yourself off just yet.

If you do need to go out of work sick? Sort out you Illness Benefit immediately and then discuss the MedMark recommendation of "unfit to work" with your GP. If he agrees? Apply for Invalidity Pension immediately. It takes months for a decision and it's better IMO to apply as early as possible to ensure that you don't face being in limbo between the end of your illness benefit and the start of your Invalidity pension.

There are other more experience posters here who will hopefully chime in with their advice.

In the meantime, if there's any other questions you think I may be able to help with? Just ask here.

Tails142

Yes I think you will be eligible for ill health retirement with a diagnosis like that if you wanted it. You could get added years and probably be able to draw down your pension straight away. If that's what you wanted. Other option is your employer could try accommodate you with other work but only you would know if there's something possible there. Employer will be thinking about their liability of having someone stumbling around unfortunately if you were to have an accident at work.

garrett b

I'm at work now. Unfit for work...but working away, sort of. Strange. Where I work, in Dublin, staffing levels have almost collapsed. Serious problems recruiting new and retaining existing staff. Cost of living, unsocial hours-weekend work, late evenings. I almost have a feelng magement think a half blind guy is better than nothing. thanks very much for everyones input.

Mrs OBumble

Some excellent advice above.

You need to think about what you want to do with your life, and the eyesight + time you have left.

I've met people who loved their job who would do anything to be allowed to keep doing it. Others who hated it and would take pretty much any route to get out. A good few (esp men) who fell apart when they retired 'cos they couldn't structure their own time. There's no one pattern.

Also think about the risks you might be causing for other people - eg if you are interpreting test results on a screen and miss something (some jobs have these some don't). Even if your employer is willing to take the risk (because they have recruitment problems) - are you willing to?

Do you WANT your employer to try to find alternative duties for you? Do you want to do what that might involve? Or do you want to retire and pursue hobbies or similar?

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121435185#Comment_121435185

+1 on this.

I know the OP mentioned the difficulty his org seems to be having with filling roles, but? I would advise the OP and anyone in a similar situation, to put their health and the ability to enjoy the good health they have left above any concern for their employer's inability to manage their headcount or capacity.

Noone advises medical retirement lightly and in the OPs case, where the condition is likely degenerative and at very best will never improve? I'd advise to put yourself front and centre in what's to come.

On the last sentence. Again fully agree and in my own situation? I returned to university to undertake a degree in a field I have huge interest in, versus my 1st time there when it was to generate career focused qualifications.

To the OP, if nothing else, take the opinion from Medmark as the opportunity to put you, your health and your future front & centre of your planning.

garrett b

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121433411#Comment_121433411

Hello,

I read the above with interest. I believe candidates for ill Health Retirement must submit to a medical assessment by the public services chief medical officer. Does that include public servants who have been declared "unfit for work" by the public services own doctors, in my case, Medmark?

Anyway, I still haven't heard from my company's HR department regarding my Medmark assessment.

Calahonda52

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121437386#Comment_121437386

+100

especially this piece + my edits

To the OP, if nothing else, take the opinion from Medmark as the opportunity to put you, your health, your family etc and your future front & centre of your planning and let the rest go and ... itself.

The PS only cares about itself, you a disposable item