Retiring early due to ill health

Hi, sorry you find yourself in this situation.  I know what it’s like to have a line manager that makes your work life unbearable.  Do you have an option to move to another team or department?  It sounds as though you still need to work.  Do you work in the private or public sector? I’ve experience of the ill health retirement process in the public sector. 

Thank you for responding, I am in the public sector.  I do have the option to move to another team but I have to do my phased return to work with my current manager which I cannot face.

I think if you spoke to welfare officer he/she will transfer you and do a phased return.  I worked with a girl and she literally did a midnight flit,  My welfare officer 4 months after I first started sick leave and only two months after radiotherapy asked me if I considered ill health retirement which I hadn’t.  I spoke to my husband and decided I would apply.  I also was diagnosed with arthritis at multiple levels in my spine.  I was turned down and on appeal turned down again.  It’s the private sector that assess you  and the policy is that you are not fit to do any role until state pension age.  Apparently arthritis is not permanent.  It took two years but they eventually sacked me.  I think tier 2 and tier 2 depend on what age you are and if you are partially retired.  If I were you and you feel fit enough I would get your doctor to put on your sick note you can only return to work if moved to another branch/department.  I know after been bullied I personally lost my confidence.  

This is exactly how I feel. I do have a meeting with Occupational Health tomorrow so I will mention it. I am 58.

Sorry should have said I dont think you have to do a phased return with your current line manager if she is the issue.  Are the things she is asking you to do unreasonable because of your health? 

I wish you all the best for your meeting tomorrow.  OHS should be able to recommend a move for you in order to get you back to work.  Unless you mean the IHR meeting.  My welfare officer actually told me if I applied for IHR and didn’t get it I would be sacked.  Let me know how you get on.