Labour Court recommends Wyeth pay worker withheld sick pay and change procedures

The Labour Court recommended that Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland pay a worker the sick pay withheld after a dispute about his fitness to return to work. In a decision signed on 30 December 2010, it also recommended changes to the company’s sick-pay procedures. The worker, represented by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union, said he had supplied medical certificates and that his doctor and the company’s occupational health physician should have discussed their differing assessments. The company relied on its physician’s assessment of his fitness for work and knowledge of his role. The Court found the usual discussion between the medical professionals had not taken place and the worker was told late that his sick pay would be withheld. It recommended written scheme details, a process for resolving disagreements between doctors, and notice to employees about the effect on sick pay when such a disagreement arises.