I’m hoping that someone on here might have some knowledge of employment law and might be able to advise me on a situation which a friend of mine is going through at the moment.
He is suffering with RSI due to having a job which requires a lot of keyboard work. The pain has got so bad that he has been signed off work for a few weeks. Management at his office have told him that they will have to assess whether or not he is fit to do the job any longer, suggesting that they may lay him off.
He’s been in the job for a few years so isn’t subject to a review in a probation period or anything like that.
My opinion is that he would be subject to the company’s sickness policy, including a reduction in pay if he is off sick for a long period of time, but on the basis that he may recover and be fit for the job again at a later time, can they legally dismiss him? I would understand if he had lost his arms in an accident or something like that, as there would be no argument that he could no longer do the job, but can this judgement be made and action taken in his current circumstances?
Your advice would be much appreciated, especially if anyone can refer me to a website which clarifies the legality of the proposed outcome.
He is suffering with RSI due to having a job which requires a lot of keyboard work. The pain has got so bad that he has been signed off work for a few weeks. Management at his office have told him that they will have to assess whether or not he is fit to do the job any longer, suggesting that they may lay him off.
He’s been in the job for a few years so isn’t subject to a review in a probation period or anything like that.
My opinion is that he would be subject to the company’s sickness policy, including a reduction in pay if he is off sick for a long period of time, but on the basis that he may recover and be fit for the job again at a later time, can they legally dismiss him? I would understand if he had lost his arms in an accident or something like that, as there would be no argument that he could no longer do the job, but can this judgement be made and action taken in his current circumstances?
Your advice would be much appreciated, especially if anyone can refer me to a website which clarifies the legality of the proposed outcome.