thanks so much for this information. how long did it take your dad to recover?

About 6 months - and he had to totally change his job to avoid bad posture/movements.

What kind of hernia do you have? what medicine are you taking? A hernia is a displacement of tissue via a fissure. I'm a bit perplexed how medicine will return the displaced tissue and seal the fissure.

Do you care to help us understand or is that too personal?

Update: I need to finish reading before I start posting... scaphoid bone in your hand??? That's not really a hernia... that's more like carpal tunnel syndrome, which is nerve damage caused by overuse. E.g. typing for long periods of time in an incorrect position or posture, etc.

How did this injury occur? I'm just wondering if it isn't attributable to a work functions and bad ergonomics.

How is your life different staying at home sitting and watching TV, versus going to work, sitting and watching a computer monitor? I don't get it. To me it doesn't make logical sense for a doctor to give that kind of order.

Update: Unless it's carpal tunnel and then going to work and typing on a computer isn't going to help.
But seriously... staying home and resting from a hand injury isn't the answer. Doc should have sent you back to work with restrictions on what you can/can't do.
I'm going to get a doctor's note that says I can't use my Blackberry.

And who's schlepping your groceries to and fro?

If I'm reading this thread correctly, we are talking here of 2 separate medical issues, which is probably why the employer is a bit 'nervous' re long-term.

i have a broken scaphoid bone which is now healing well. i am off work because of a hernia in my cervical spine. at home i don't use my arms much and lie down, not sit down. i take anti-inflammatory pills to cure the hernia.

the broken bone is in my right hand,the hernia affects my left arm.

so he had a desk job and had to give it up? what type of work did he do afterwards?

Do have any idea why they fired you? I mean.....do you think it was really the medical reason or just an excuse?

i think it was only beacuse i have off sick. otherwise things were fine. my position was open for a few months before it was filled and probably will be again. it is a huge company, some top manager saw i had been out for so many days and that was it.

No- he was told aged 14 that he had to leave school to do an apprenticeship as a taylor- the last thing he wanted to do. But in those days, you didn't argue with your dad, especially when times were hard. The older ones were sent to the US - one way tickets to Le Havre and New York- sort yourself out! He re-trained as a watch maker- he could sit upright with his arms supported, and he was OK.

Thats tough then....sounds like the data told them they had a problem and they wanted to address it whilst it was still allowed.

Instead of this legal advice then, which won't result in anything meaningful, did you think about taking a softer route and explain the issue to them and offering to renew your probation period so that they can see that the problem isn't recurring and they won't need to try to hire somebody else but won't "bed in" any problem with you.

Personally, I think its unlikely to work, but will potentially yield more than a fractious and fruitless legal case

I don't plan on taking legal action. I hope to find another job somewhere else, I don't think I could work there again after what has happened.

"I just lost my job due to an illness related absence. I have been off sick on my doctors advice after suffering a hernia and today I was told that my contract is being terminated I have been with the company for just under six months. Is this legal? Is there any legal service I can consult? Am I entitled to any compensation beyond unemployment benefit? Before this job I had worked for 3 years at another Swiss company which I left to take up this position.

I would appreciate any advice you could give."

Dunno why I thought you were looking for advice ....silly me

Good luck with the search...hope the Zeugniss doesn't prove a problem

It is of course up to you, but I'd be curious to see the last paragraph of your reference letter when you receive it, with any identifiers blocked out. This will tell us a lot. In any case, get a few opinions on it from HR experts, as that is one piece of paper worth fighting for.

I totally agree , I got stiched up with my reference. It may look ok to you but HR will know how to lace a reference good and proper to make it difficult for you to get further employment here believe me! Just plain nasty they can be....

Dack Rambo, have a look through this thread, it may help:

Intermediate Work Certificate - Secret Wording !?

Thanks. Is this also the case with employment certificates from the romandie? I already have a letter saying I'm being let go because I was out sick for too long so does the work certificate really make that much difference in this case?

The letter of reference is important if you are seeking future employment in Switzerland. It is basically a report card, and is one of the first things a future employer will look at. The more qualified position you are applying for, the more important this reference is. There is a well known scheme of wording which, despite face value, can be a damaging criticism of your performance.

You can fight for everything in it except the last paragraph. Unfortunately, this is often the first thing to be read by HR assessing applications, and is too often taken as gospel.

You should have a legal insurance

when applying for jobs in future, should I mention I have had a hernia? could this make employers reluctant to hire me?