Hi all,
I am looking for some advice around concern we have for a colleague.
Our dear colleague is in her 70's, and twice been placed on furlough due to the current lack of trade and for her own welfare and safety.
She has no diagnosis around memory loss, however, almost every other day, turns up for her shifts, in her uniform. Her line manager has been extremely patient, sits with her and explains about furlough and that we will contact her when we can offer her work again. She forgets she has been in each time, and sometimes can get quite distressed.
We have suggested she visit her GP, but to no avail. We have spoken in the team about occupational health, but as there is no diagnosis we feel this may not be the right time to go down this route for fear of distressing her further.
She has not become a danger to herself or any other colleagues as yet.
We have an emergency contact for her husband, but again, as there is no diagnosis, we do not wish to intrude or alarm anyone.
Does anyone have any further ideas of how we can approach the issue without causing distress?
Many thanks in advance
Lou
Replies
I would ask her if you can contact her husband and then call him and explain to him and ask him to take her to the GP - we had a similar situation, the employee was fine at home, but at work was forgetting things and getting lost. We spoke to the husband who initially didnt believe us but eventually he understood and has sought help for her. In addition could somone call her each morning to remind her not to come in for the time being? I presume she has had confirmation of her furlough in writing, if not then this may help. Good luck
Hi Nicola
Thank you for your reply. We have indeed put her furlough in writing, and each day she pops in thinking she has a shift, her line manager writes down her rota. We have considered calling her husband, but wondered if this was too intrusive. We may just have to call him for her sake.
Thanks
Lou