Does B.A. actually EMPLOYEE Doctors for Staff???
 

I Thought I'd share this little nugget and hope someone has the answer.

A colleague of mine who has been woking at BA for 25 years has suffered ill health for quite a few of those years.

Due to the unpredictability of his condition, he needs to take quite a lot of sick leave. He has exhausted ALL treatment types, be it traditional medicine or alternative remedies which he has financed himself (of course, HAD he been Management grade, he wouldn't have needed to finance this as B.A. Management are ALL covered by BUPA...).

As a last resort, he had to 'go under the knife' , but because of his age and severity of the condition, his Consultant advised AGAINST surgery, suggesting instead that he would have to 'learn to live with the condition', which would undoubtedly worsen as he gets older - he's 54 years old.

As all of you readers are aware, before returning to duty anyone off sick needs to be 'cleared' by BARS (in B.A's case) before doing so. Each time he reports to BARS, he requests an appointment with a BA Doctor - but for some unknown reason is ALWAYS denied an appointment. This must be the ONLY plc in the entire British Isles that, when an employee is reporting back to duties, is denied a visit to the company Doctor!! WHAT are British Airways afraid of??

Are they afraid that 'their' Doctor will be placed in a position that due to the reports from the individuals' GPs/Consultants, the company Doctor will be put under SO MUCH pressure that he will have no alternative but to retire that individial on the grounds of ill health, which in the long term would cost BA money? Are they instructing their Doctors NOT to retire anyone on medical grounds unless they're about to die? This may sound flippant, but I see no other reason for it.

But of course, B.A. have got the answer to all of this - EG300 . . . . .

Sounds like an experienced legal opinion is required.

If the person concerned is member of a union, put them on the case.

If not, engage a solicitor who specialises in such things.

Morning Niknak,
 

thanks for your reply. I'll suggest this to him - I believe he is in the Union, so maybe they're the next step.

Anyone else got any thoughts on this one? Do other Airlines treat their staff with disregard like this?

Company doctor
 

Far from a unique experience.

Pilot informed he is going to be dismissed on grounds of ill health. Asks for a consultation with company doctor. Informed that the doctor says their is no point because health situation hasnt changed since previous consultation. Then sacked.

At time of earlier consultation, signed off unfit to work, medical suspended.
When 2nd consultation refused, pilot was fit to work and medical had been re issued. Health situation hadnt changed?

Hello A Sayers,
 

utterly appalling! Was the airline also BA in the instance you mentioned? Surely, this is a working practice the unions should be involved in?