Steph/ Charlotte/ Carr/ Sharon/ All,

I’m 100% behind not doing them; used to but not now. I know some businesses/ managers will argue they’re important due to geography/ remoteness so case by case I guess. Trouble is, most of the businesses I’ve met have been used to an old fashioned paternalistic view and don’t wish to assert too much on the employee, instead insisting hard that the OHA goes out instead. Often the OHA feels obliged to go along with it to please the customer, without stepping back for a minute to ask what they intend to gain from it (yes I was once of them…).

But here’s the thing,  we assess people’s fitness for work, if they can’t / won’t come onto the organisations’ premises to do this then how can we make that assessment? You need to speak directly to the individual (not via relatives), reassure them you are neutral and there to support them but assertively insist they need to come and see you (I’ve found this work well with the anxiety cases- I use that CBT approach in explaining that by avoiding work it is prolonging and exacerbating their condition) . If they absolutely won’t engage, throw back to management to deal with.

The  other rationales I put to management;

We are not clinical/ primary care, what purpose do we serve seeing someone at home; if they are genuinely that ill then it’s not appropriate for us to be involved in that way. It can reinforce the “sick role” (where’s the impetus then for the employee to come back to work?), can be an invasion of privacy and is also very risky to the OHA/ HR person- do you really know what you are stepping into or what’s behind that closed door??. It’s a gross waste of my precious diary time.

I’ve been threatened, had meetings recorded, been “ambushed” (not physically!) by a union rep masquerading as a relative, been freaked out (ashes of dead mother on the mantelpiece that employee kept talking to) in the few I have done in my earlier career; these have all proven to me that we shouldn't be  dong them! Onsite is controllable and much safer.

My stock phrase for at least 8 years has been “well maybe yes in very extreme cases…” but to be honest I’ve yet to define what that would be and have successfully dealt with the cases without having to visit them at home! I thought it would be harder when I worked for an OH provider covering multiple customers with different needs, but once I explained my rationales above they seemed happy with that.

Not the definitive answer, but then there’s probably not one!

Kind Regards,

Tim Ellis RN, SPCHN (OH), PgDip OH
Occupational Health Advisor

Edward Herbert Building (EHB)

Loughborough University
Leicestershire
LE11 3TU

Telephone: 01509 222851

Mobile:      07917 053340

Fax:           01509 222852

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/hse/occupational/

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carr Barnes
Sent: 18 May 2012 15:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Home visists

I'm with Sharon on this even taking into consideration all the 'rationales' like journey distance, over protective spouses, parents etc.

IMHO OH is only a part of the absence management process and is not an underpinning foundation. The employer does their best to support employee utilising OH as part of that process if possible. If not possible then so be it.

I strongly feel we in OH can risk going into 'saviour' mode and the absence management process itself can become overly medicalised. It is up to employer to manage communication with the employee ....including identifying and managing any barriers to process. Only after that is managed can OH become involved with normal company processes. I would never agree to HR sitting in on a normal consult so why would a home visit make this more acceptable? And if they are outside in the car surely that kind of defeats the purpose? And if you don't discuss medical stuff cos they are in the room then what true OH value are you really adding?

I sympathise with both parties but essentially stay out of it in these situations.

Regards

Carr

Hi Sharon

Based on this I think it depends on the industry you work in. We have shops 

throughout the North and my geographical area is quite vast. So yes they may be 

able to get to see their GP but not travel 2-3 hours to see Occupational Health. 

They also probably know their Human Resources representative and if they have 

not previously met or talked to me, they are aware of my existence, who I am and 

what my role is.

Whilst I'm not saying it is ideal and it does depend on their co-operation, 

Occupational Health Adviser's need to what is appropriate and best for the 

business.

Cheers H

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

-----Original Message-----

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of 

Naylor, Sharon [HMPS]

Sent: 17 May 2012 15:15

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Home visists

An issue discussed at length in the past - I just don't do them. End of.

I have my own reasons for this (nasty experience) but really cannot see

that they are useful. My thoughts (not necessarily in order of

importance)

If they can get to the GP for a sick note why cant they get to OH? 

If they are so poorly that they are house bound and the GP is visiting

personally I think an OH visit is an intrusion - better info may be

sought and more sensitively by telecon/GP reports etc

If I was "sick" there is no way that I would someone who is basically a

stranger visiting my home

I have images of poorly people struggling around with a Dyson in

preparation for the visit.............

If they are "stressed" or other mental health issue and cant face the

workplace - well I still ask them to come in, its part of a graded

exposure - the first time they cross the threshold should not be the day

that they return to work. Dissipate some of the anxiety by getting them

in early on

If you visit someone at home you are in their home, a guest, its a

different dynamic

They can take ages.....your time may be more productively spent

elsewhere

Which individual would you take with you? I dare say that the absent

person would have to agree and also the fact that medical issues may be

discussed

Some people meet individuals in a neutral location eg garden centre,

however this is still fraught with difficulties, in a public place

talking about medical issues, time spent getting there and back etc

-----Original Message-----

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On

Behalf Of Stephanie Foster

Sent: 17 May 2012 14:59

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Home visists

Dear All

Previuos OHA's in my role have attended home visits accompanied by

personnel if an individual cannot attend site.  I personaly have

concerns about this due to confidentiality. Plus in some  instances it

rienforces the "sick role". Where possible I do telephone consultations

but sometimes you need to see the white of there eyes if you know what I

mean.

What does everyone else think and what suggestions do yo have as

alternatives.

Look forward to your answers.