Thanks Scottymarie I just can't seem to think straight at the moment, this guy has really knocked my confidence so badly I don't feel as if I am putting my case across effectively over the phone. However, I will give them a call tomorrow. Lou x

Hi there. Can anyone help please. I am currently off work and have been since 12/01/12. Company are paying me SSP for what it's worth. Am I able to get any help with benefits etc. I have a mortgage, I don't have a partner but do have a grown up son living with me who is currently unemployed. I tried to ring the benefit helpline but they weren't much help to be honest. Any advice would be appreciated..

Thanks HB

Thanks Blueboy, it was my initial instinct that he was twitching and like I've said before I really do know how his mind works. His e-mail also confirmed that my hunch was right and he had every intention of making me redundant even before xmas. I'm so glad I walked out when I did as it spoiled his plans for me. Do you know if I can get any help with benefits etc as I'm only getting SSP. I tried calling the benefit helpline the other day but didn't really get on very well. I haven't a clue how these things work. Lou x

Hi HB. This is the same man, I totally agree with you how they can be manipulative and that is why I don't trut him one iota. Hi Mariefab, Yes I sent the grievance he will have received it today. I received this e-mail on Fri.

Well we have a new development: I received an e-mail from the "orrible boss" after I sent in my fit note from my GP stating "work related stress" for another 4 weeks:- I received the sick note today with work related stress on it. I am really sorry you feel work commitment has done this; I really don’t want you ill and don’t care about all the bull **** that goes with the legal side and was told not to email you. But I am still a friend and concerned. The work thing is nothing to do with this email; you should know me well enough to know I don’t have a bad bone in my body. Unfortunately work everywhere in this industry as you know has taken a down turn not just ******** ***** **********, as a business man I had to do what was right for the business and my family and instigate cuts across the company. Because of our friendship it was the toughest decision of my work career to do away with the manager’s position and I did not sleep for weeks. I really hope this has not caused you too much stress you don’t deserve it and I am sorry I have emailed you. But I was always intending on doing the right thing and more regarding you going with full pay for a month you can ask anybody this, the Friday morning of the meeting I was going to explain the whole situation but unfortunately you had to leave Thursday. Regardless of the outcome of all this, and as I said I was told not to email but on record I don’t give a **** I will always be a friend and always respect you. If you need anything I am on the end of a phone. Anyone got any thoughts on what my next move should be ?? Thanks Lou.

I can understand him wanting the office keys back due to another employee needing them in my absence. He regularly leaves one of the girls in the office on her own, this I always disagreed with due to the location of the office and the dark evenings. I regularly worked longer hours to stop this happening. Although this shouldn't be my problem anymore... With regard to the redundancy consultation - no other staff are involved in this process.

Oh well here goes !! I went to see my GP yesterday and she conpletely put my mind at rest as did you guys on here. I have sent my acceptance form back to orrible boss to access a medical report, so I'm not worrying about that anymore at least. GP signed me off for another 4 weeks. With regards to the documents I requested from them last week, I asked for:- Employee handbook Copy of my contract Greivance policy/procedure Redundancy policy/procedure. I received a letter today with employee handbook and a copy of my contract (he states in his letter that I have neglected to sign it!!) He also states that they do not have a specific redundancy policy but are following external advice on this matter (don't know how that can help me) He has totally ignored the fact that I have requested the grievance policy. I know that I will have to write again to ask for this. He has also asked for the office keys back !! I'm not really sure how I can now proceed though. Any help would be appreciated. Lou x

Thanks Kevin I mistakenly thought they could access all my medical history !! I feel much happier about doing this now you have explained it for me. I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow. Thanks Again.. x

Thanks for your replies, I was very unsure about this, and have been worrying about it all day, but after your help I now know you have both suggested the right thing. I think I just needed to hear it from here. I will be going to my GP tomorrow so will discuss it there. I feel that they are being very unfair on the time constraints they are setting and also deliberately not posting mail the same day to delay it reaching me. Can I specify with my GP that my employer only sees current health report or can they go back years ?

I received the letter this morning, but it is dated 25th January, also the franking mark says 25th January. It is a small company only 13 employees. I do believe they are trying to back me into a corner, and have no intention of allowing me to return to work as per redundancy letter from last week. Probably would be best to go and see my GP as I'm not entirely happy about agreeing to this.

We refer to your current absence from work due to illness. You have been absent since 12/01/12. In order to address your absence fairly and reasonably, we would now like to obtain a full medical report from your doctor on your current state of health in relation to your ability to perform your job and the prognosis of your future health. In the circumstances, we would therefore ask you to complete the attached consent form and return it no later than 01/02/12. If we do not hear from you by this date, we will conclude that you are refusing your permission to our obtaining a medical report. Note that we are required by law to seek your consent before being able to request a medical report from your doctor. You are, of course, free to refuse to give us permission to approach your doctor. However, we must warn you that, in such circumstances, this is likely to be to your detriment as we may then be forced to make a decisionabout your future health and employment without the benefit of an expert medical opinion. This would not be a particularly satisfactory situation and is not in the interests of either yourself or the company. In addition, without medical advice it makes it very difficult for us to review what, if any, adjustments we might reasonably be able to make to facilitate your return to work and/or to support you on your return. In requesting a medical report from your doctor, we must advise that you have rights under the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988. They are as follows.:- They then go on bla di bla you have the right to etc, etc.

Morning All. I've had a letter from work this morning asking for consent to see my medical records. Not sure how to deal with this. Any help would be appreciated..

Oh he certainly is HB. I knew he would, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised as I've witnessed this first hand in the time that I have been there. One day he even called someone in to the office who was on annual leave with his family. He then proceeded to give this guy a warning for poor performance without following any procedures whatsoever. Everyone is afraid when they return from annual leave if they still have a job because you are always the target when you are not there to defend yourself. My ears have been burning this week I can tell you.

Thanks Blueboy. The problem is, that I know he will change the contract to suit himself, as he has requested me to do this in the past with others. He will then try to claim that it was worded that way all along.