Hi Andrew,
I'm no expert but thought this might be helpful ~ Liz

http://www.direct.gov.uk...Job/Redundancy/index.htm

Hi Andrew- welcome to the forum. Don;t have any advice but please let us know how you get on. We are in exactly the same situation. We have all just had to make a competency based application for our own jobs - cutting 20% across our department (civil service). Got the application in this week. If we are at the bottom of the table after this we go into a redeployment pool. It doesn't look like there are any jobs to redeploy us to. What do you do? Is it public service sector?

Julie

I never considered the knock on effects of the public spending cuts. Are there any other posts in the company at your level? I would imagine this will limit your options.

Julie

Julie - yes the effects of public spending cuts on the private sector have not received quite the attention that the cuts themselves had. I used to work in Local Government over 20 years ago now so can sympathise with your position.

In my respect I think I am likely to be in the position that there is no reasonable likelihood that I will find alternative employment, but can I use this? I do not meet the immediate criteria for ill-health retirement as I have not been off long term sick and no medico is going to sign me off as unfit for work. Nor have I been singled out. The only route I can see to explore is that my employer is possibly going to make me redundant when my health means no reasonable prospect of finding alternative employment. If so can I seek ill health retirement on this basis?

good idea Jean-I was going to suggest Bob too.

Hi Andrew, Alice, all... xx

Just some advice from me but I'm no expert, just recent experiences......

Talk to your management.

Put any concerns into writing and keep copies of everything.

Get any legal advice from a disability employment specialist

I have found DIAL helpful but most especially the Equality and Human Rights Commission & NRAS are great for pointing you in the right direction.

I gave my employers NRAS info books THREE times! They said they read them.... hmmmm.....?
The aim was to improve their awareness and understanding about RA, associated fatigue and employers responsibilities etc. I also found out about Access to Work last year... when i was supporting one of my employees - i was a manager and subsequently shared this with my employer on my behalf....

There are lots of links on NRAS website & this is a helpful link-

http://www.nras.org.uk/h...x?id=a0B80000005CJTZEA4

I'm not really sure but i have a feeling that ill health retirements are going to become more difficult with rapidly changing politics so would strongly advise anyone needing information to seek professional advice & some of this is free and easily accessible online.
EHRC website is full of information and support www.equalityhumanrights.com. You can send email queries and they reply within about a week i think it was.
Well worth finding out your rights fully before the need arises.... hmmmm.... now why didnt i do that for me.... ;)

I am certain negative stress is a definite factor with RA. Recent weeks have proven this for me beyond reasonable doubt and i think HOW the stress makes you feel is paramount.
If you feel you are in charge and can resolve things then managing challenges can be possible. Put a more negative spin on a situation and i think the body finds it much harder to cope.....

Alice i think you may understand this more with your medical background? You enjoy sport which some people might not, i enjoy challenging situations at work (working with people with autism / communication barriers - challenges arise all the time but i have proven strong ability in this area and get a buzz resolving and supporting people this way....)
On the other hand, throw in a sprinkling of reduced resources, reconfigurations, structural changes throughout the organisation, line management issues / lack of understanding of RA etc and things can go downhill very quickly....

From personal experience, I would advise before things may get difficult - really think about what works for you to de-stress regularly and take extra special care of yourselves when any situations that might make you feel powerless arise. & dont forget Carol has also put good link already - re: work and benefits

Andrew sorry for rabbiting on... hi jacking your post hope you don't mind ~ Liz x