Michelle Inglis, 49, a biomedical scientist in the chemical pathology lab at Noble’s Hospital for almost 13 years, has been suspended pending the hearing tomorrow (Thursday).

Twelve months ago she was diagnosed with cervical cancer and underwent treatment to remove the cancerous cells.

In October she had a hysterectomy and was signed off work for six weeks.

But on December 11 she was informed she would no longer be doing the Saturday on-call session the following day.

When she contacted the manager, he texted her to say: ‘You are not doing it. Conversation over. We talked about this and you cannot do on-call if you cannot do routine work.

‘We will talk on my return. Do not turn in tomorrow.’

A further text, seen by iomtoday, read: ‘Do not turn into work tomorrow...final warning.’

Miss Inglis said from her home in Douglas: ‘What a way to be told not to do your job after being told you would be sacked if you failed to be 100 per cent by the end of December – in a text message only two months after having a hysterectomy to remove cancer cells.’

She nevertheless went into work on that Saturday only for hospital manager Barbara Scott to tell her to leave and hand over her access card.

When she refused, Ms Scott warned she would have no choice but to suspend her.

Miss Inglis said: ‘My future is looking bleak. I may still have cancer cells that can progress and my employer is trying to sack me due to my having cancer.’

The letter from the Cabinet Office inviting Miss Inglis to the hearing tomorrow (January 7) at The Lodge in Strang states: ‘Please be advised that the outcome of this hearing could result in your dismissal’.

It explains that she is on a precautionary – not disciplinary – suspension and that the hearing will consider whether there has been an ‘irretrievable breakdown in the working relationship between yourself and your colleagues of whether the implied term of the employment contract to co-operate with your employer to maintain mutual trust and confidence had been fundamentally breached.’

A confidential report seen by iomtoday shows that Miss Inglis has lodged a series of complaints against a number of her colleagues, alleging bullying, harassment and victimisation. None of those complaints, which were made between 2012 and 2015, have been upheld.

But the report concludes that while there is no evidence to substantiate the allegations, ‘it is clear that the culture and style of management and leadership in the biochemistry department requires urgent attention’.

The DHSC said it was unable to comment on individual cases.

Source: IOM Today