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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/30/2010
Posts: 61
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Oh, dear. I think the net is closing in on me at work. They want to move me to a community job which will be more vulnerable in the recession. I don't think they like me taking repeated sickness absence (four times in 12 months, about 1 week each). Not for heroes, even if my GP did tell me that people who are on the type of medication I take are usually on long term sick.
Well, I am not afraid. I am working on my fitness, and if they sack me I can always dump the car and cycle around LOL.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Oh poor you Alice, just the stress we all talk about which should be avoided .
Good luck
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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Hi Alice -sorry if I have missed this but what job are you in and what meds are you on? Seems like lots of us are struggling with work stress, newtreatments etc at the moment! XX Ailsa
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/30/2010
Posts: 61
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I am a hospital doctor and take Enbrel, methotrexate, Arthrotec - the usual standard treatments for moderately severe RA.
I greatly enjoy my work and would not like to change it for anything. I was off for a month at the onset, at the back end of 2007: great the first two weeks, but by the fourth week I was bored and itching to get back into the swing of things. And rest didn't do anything for my fatigue.
But the combination of frequent sickness leave and dwindling NHS resources is not a good combination.
I would be interested to hear of anyone who has been through the Human Resources cycle re. sickness leave at work.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi Alice - I think there are quite a few members who have been down this route, including Barbara. She is poorly at the moment but when I ring I'll tell her about your post. She may come on and give you some info. So sorry to hear of these problems.
Love Jeanx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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HI Alice,
Sorry to hear you are having these problems.
It's strange that the government want to cut the benefit bill and get everyone back to work, yet so many people on here are being hounded out of their jobs!
I can't give you any advice on this but there are plenty of others who can.
Wishing you luck ,
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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Hi Ailsa - sorry if you have alrady done this but is your condition properly recorded with HR under the DDA? If you have read my post you will see that I'm having to apply for my own job. After the initial sift, they are also taking sickness absence into account. I'm lucky because I've had a proper work occ health assessment and my sickness absence covered by DDA won't be counted. It's not fair for you to have to move if you could still do your job when you find the right combination of drugs.
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/30/2010
Posts: 61
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Thank you all for your support and valuable tips. I am covered by the DDA after an occupational health assessment but I have noticed that my record of sickness does not specifically say anything about sickness related to the DDA. Perhaps I should look into this. Thank you again.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 1,035
Location: in a house
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well here is what i say , They train you for 5 years and the rest of it .My sister in law did 9 years . they say they are short of docs and the rest of it . They should be very greatfull for you to do what you can . Silly lot we need you Christine The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/20/2010
Posts: 62
Location: Manchester
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Hi Alice, Sorry to hear about the trouble your having at work. I've been on long term sick leave since December, Diagnosed in April. I have been to Occupational Health, and gave authourization to my medical records. On my Report to the Occupational Health it clearly states that my Consultant diagnosed me in April, although on the report from Occupational Health to my employer it states Joint Problems not RA. I have an abcense review meeting in 2 weeks so this will be raised, I feel that since Ive been diagnosed with RA my workplace are not very supportive what so ever, and seems to be denying the fact that I have RA, probably because they don't want it be noticed as coming under the DDA as in my last meeting my manager said the report said that I dont come under the DDA. Hope you get things sorted, let me know how you get on. Michelle 
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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Hi Alice, I didn't articulate the stuff about sickness and the DDA very well  I actually have sickness trigger points like everyone else, however, I have had what are considered to be reasonable adjustments to the trigger point (that's where the DDA comes in). This means that I have one point for ordinary everyday illness and different trigger points for anything directly related to the RA. The adjustments were agreed following my OHS referral. Don't know if this makes any more sense? Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 690
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Hi Alice,
Have you had an assessment by "Access to work"? Having worked as a community based social work for many years, I know how strenuous and exhausting this type of work can be. Your occupational health and HR, must consider making reasonable adjustment to your place of work under the DDA. If you can cope with working in a hospital based setting with RA, but suspect you may not manage working in the community, and the possible risks that this may have to your health, then I would suggest approaching your union for advice, or join one if you are not already a member. I really don't think they can force you to take up a position in the community if this would put an added strain upon your health, or place you at risk. If your employer has asked you to work in the community, then your occupational health department should first conduct a risk assessment before considering moving you to another post. In fact this should be done as a matter of course and if they don't, they could find themselves vulnerable to litigation.
love,
Barbara
XXXXX
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/30/2010
Posts: 61
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Hi again. My mobility is fine re. Access to Work, thanks, Barbara. It's more about feeling the strain of the repeated suggestions that I move to the community. It's unpleasant. I don't think they could move me against my will. But who knows...
Good luck in that meeting, Michelle. It might be helpful for you to read the actual Disability Discrimination Act because your employers would not have a leg to stand on in saying it doesn't cover joint problems / RA. It's the disability, not the diagnosis, that matters.
Thanks for the useful, clarifying comments, Julie.
Keep well all.
Alice
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