Right guys I don’t know if this is in the right forum but here we go, started job 25 January 16, as usual started on a 6 month trial thing, which they have been happy with my work, inside this 6 month trial I had to renew my license (medical) no problem and since then I’ve only gone and had a major heart attack, straight away ‘well you know where you stand if you lose your license’ where do I stand as technically I’m being finished off whilst on the sick (I know the license is going to be the main contribution part in the replies)
dreamlands2001:
Right guys I don’t know if this is in the right forum but here we go, started job 25 January 16, as usual started on a 6 month trial thing, which they have been happy with my work, inside this 6 month trial I had to renew my license (medical) no problem and since then I’ve only gone and had a major heart attack, straight away ‘well you know where you stand if you lose your license’ where do I stand as technically I’m being finished off whilst on the sick (I know the license is going to be the main contribution part in the replies)
I know its hard but unfortunately you was on a 6 month probationary period,which usually takes into consideration time keeping, conduct, ability to carry out your duties,and sick time.
On that basis I would suspect you don`t have much you could complain about.
Hope you make a swift recovery
Sorry to say you were employed as a driver meaning no licence = no job unless they have a warehouse or drivers mate job for you
Employers can dismiss anyone without any reason within the first 2 years of employment as long as its not on the grounds of prejudice, i.e and “ism” - racism, sexism etc.
They can also dismiss you on health grounds if you have a condition which makes it not possible to do your job with reasonable adjustments. As you are employed as a driver then if you don’t have a license no matter what adjustments they make you cannot do your job.
There’s that old saying “Those who can - Do. Those who no can’t - Teach.”
I never understood why firms don’t switch their drivers losing their licence through no fault of their own - into “Instructors”… If that needs a bit of extra training- then fair enough. It’s not the same as a car licence teacher, where the teacher needs to be fully licenced to drive the teaching vehicle though is it?
As it stands, if we have the health issues as per the OP here - we’re out of a job unless the firm finds you a downgraded job of some kind at the warehouse - unlikely if you’re fairly new to the firm it seems. 
First off sorry to hear you had a heart attack.
Did your doctor inform the DVLA that you had a heart attack because if not you haven’t lost your licence they only take it if a doctor informs them I know this from experience had a heart attack in 2008 had 5 months off thinking my license was suspended rang the DVLA to be told it wasn’t they only take it if doctor informs them.
So check first before you have to much time off you may even be able to keep your job. Good luck.
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Doctors and hospitals have a duty of care to report your condition to DVLA anyway…but it doesnt mean you cannot drive HGV`s ever again…it depends on how bad the attack was, what treatment was needed, for example if you have to have stents, or any type of surgery, it will reflect onto your records at the medical department of the DVLA, and could go agains getting your licence back. If however you only need tablets to take everyday, you can and should receive your licence back, but it will take time, and lots of scrutiny of your progress, and of course a treadmill test, which stresses the heart, but plays havoc with your legs…especially if like me, you dont do lots of walking ha ha …but dont get despondent, good luck.
Winseer:
I never understood why firms don’t switch their drivers losing their licence through no fault of their own - into “Instructors”… If that needs a bit of extra training- then fair enough. It’s not the same as a car licence teacher, where the teacher needs to be fully licenced to drive the teaching vehicle though is it?
You cannot teach LGV or PCV without a LGV or PCV license because you cannot drive the vehicle if you have to take over and you don’t have a license to qualify as suitable supervision of a learner. So you’d be stuck doing onsite training, tug training and DCPC.
Conor:
Employers can also dismiss you on health grounds if you have a condition which makes it not possible to do your job with reasonable adjustments. As you are employed as a driver then if you don’t have a license no matter what adjustments they make you cannot do your job.
^ This.On that note the licence angle is irrelevant it’s all about fitness to do the job as per the employer’s requirements and regard to Health and Safety risks in working with the problem.
In all cases it can be a wake up call regarding the actual DWP conditions required to satisfy long term sick claims,as opposed to the Daily Mail propaganda.IE catch 22 of not being employable from the point of view of employers but employable in the eyes of the DWP.At worse the result can mean having Jobseekers allowance stopped having failed to meet the conditions of ESA tests,on the grounds of ‘not trying hard enough’ to find alternative employment.At which point private income protection insurance can be/is the difference between bankruptcy/vagrancy or not. 
truckyboy:
Doctors and hospitals have a duty of care to report your condition to DVLA anyway…but it doesnt mean you cannot drive HGV`s ever again.
There’s a big difference between holding onto your licence v holding onto your employability in the industry as a driver. 
Winseer:
As it stands, if we have the health issues as per the OP here - we’re out of a job unless the firm finds you a downgraded job of some kind at the warehouse - unlikely if you’re fairly new to the firm it seems.
Far better to go for the train driver or pilot equivalent.No longer safe to drive a train or a plane = early retirement on private cover.
Thanks guys for the input, I’m actually going to have open heart surgery on Monday (been in hospital since last Thursday) I was thinking of going down the sickness/retirement route (along with all the other crap going through my mind at the moment)
Are you having bypass or something else.
I worked with a guy who had a triple bypass and he got his licence back took about a year but at the end of the day he could earn again.
As an aside he was past retirement age as well so don’t give up hope. [emoji1303]
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Bloody hell , puts a lot of things into perspective , I can only wish you all the best
Try not to worry, get y’self better and take it from there.
Chas Malthouse:
Try not to worry, get y’self better and take it from there.
Wise words.
My mate had a heart attack but they reinstated his ticket after doing a load of tests like treadmills etc.
He had another 15 years on the road.
Socketset:
Chas Malthouse:
Try not to worry, get y’self better and take it from there.Wise words.
My mate had a heart attack but they reinstated his ticket after doing a load of tests like treadmills etc.
He had another 15 years on the road.
As did I.
I had two heart attacks in 2013 at age 42(!) yes my license was suspended by the DVLA but to be fair to the much hated Stobart here (my employer) they paid me sick pay whilst I was off and I got my license back and returned to work in just under six months.
Concentrate on getting better, hope things turn out well for you mate.
dreamlands2001:
Thanks guys for the input, I’m actually going to have open heart surgery on Monday (been in hospital since last Thursday) I was thinking of going down the sickness/retirement route (along with all the other crap going through my mind at the moment)
hope all goes well with op, I have had open heart just before Christmas and been back at work 3 months . make sure you surrender your licence as you will get back tempory one quicker don’t let them take it as a lot longer job, good luck .
dreamlands2001:
I was thinking of going down the retirement route (along with all the other crap going through my mind at the moment)
Don’t even think about that idea unless you’ve got the required private income protection/retirement cover to provide it.If so then inform the insurer ASAP to start the claims process and to gauge their reaction and their plans.