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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 89
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Hi feeling a bit down today and not sure what to do.
Work is the problem, I only do 8 hours a week in a local shop, 2 four hour shifts which I manage fine.
Now I'm being asked to do some longer shifts which I find difficult to do due to the standing ect. My area manager says I need a letter from my GP to say I can't work longer hours.
I've an appointment today to get a letter, so rang in sick. If I went to work it would be a 6 hour shift, they have said why can't I do it this once, but I feel if Idid, they'd ask me again saying "well you did it once". Am doing the right thing in sticking to my guns. I'll need time off on one of my shifts next week for a hospital visit too.
I know they feel messed about with all my appointments but can't change them to different days or change my shift days. Have a feeling they'd like me to leave but I like my little job and it gets me out and with people.
Don't know what to do now, has anyone in the forum had this problem and how did you solve it. any advise would be very welcome, thankyou. Kathleen.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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Kathleen
How awful that you are being put under pressure by your employers. I cannot give you any advice officially but they cannot make you work longer than your health allows. I think you best option is to ring the NRAS helpline. I believe they will be able to help you.
Regards
Jackie
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello KAthleen Poor poor you. What horrible situation that they have put you. I feel I would be doing the same as you. As if you did that extra hours they def. will be putting on you again. Jackie is right perhaps ring the helpline to see how to handle the situation Good luck and let us know the results. Rose 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Also take a look at their employment booklet-let your manager read it. http://www.nras.org.uk/h...px?id=a0B80000005CJTZEA4YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 89
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Thankyou, Jackie,Rose and JulieM, I'll follow your advise and ring the help line today.
GP signed me off for a week, and I go for a scan on my hip today. GP says I'm getting stressed and thats not good.
I'll get a copy of the Employment booklet and take it in to work, probably cause eyes to the heavens look, but I'm trying to help them as well as my self.
Let you know how I get on. Thankyou again. Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 288 Location: LUTON
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What a pain, i am sure they cant make you work extra hours, it would be a crime if they can, maybe you would be able to contact CAB i am sure they can help, try not worry to much i am sure it will be sorted, try and rest this week.
Thinking of you.
Anne-m xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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FWIW i think you are in the right.how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 89
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Just a bit of an up date. Didn't get the scan. Hospital rang to say the machine had a breakdown, anyway had a phone call from them late today giving me an appointment for Monday. What a relief!
Good job I'm not at work another colleagues gone sick, and another has handed her notice in. Kathleen.x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Kathleen Sorry, I'm a bit late picking up here! As others have said I'm sure you are within your rights to remain on the hours you were contracted to work. Certainly stress is not going to be good for your RA and it sounds as though your employer may be having staff problems generally. "Signed off" seems like the best option at the moment with others succumbing to the current work ethic. A shame to hear about the scan. Fingers crossed the machine is sorted for Monday! Take care Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Dear Kathleen
I've only just picked up on this too. I can't really offer much advice( as my work situation is different)- just sympathy (empathy?) as I have been going through an awful time at work myself. I won't bore you with the details as I posted it at length on the'work' section some months ago.I had been struggling in on days when I was feeing really rough. I really wish I hadn't now, because the head (I'm a teacher) appears to have used it against me and started capability procedures- not because of ill health but because I was going in, therefore theoretically I was fit to work and consequently was considered incapable as I wasn't doing my job properly. There were other factors involved, but with hindsight I wish I'd taken sick leave instead. I appreciate that employers have rights too and the head has a duty to the kids, but staff also have needs, but I was appalled that no one had bothered to actually consider that there was maybe a reason for what was happening, and look into it rather than take such drastic action. I'd had no previous warnings or alerted to the fact that my performance was causing concern ,and no support. I also appreciate now that I was maybe in denial and that I wasn't aware myself that I was struggling. Being conscientious, I felt I didn't want to let the kids down or cause extra work for colleagues. How naive of me!! I've certainly learned from the experience. Unfortunately as we all know, RA is so unpredicatable that it can be difficult to take time off- it's not as if we can say 'I'll take 6 weeks off then I'll be fine.'
As a long serving member of staff I feel very let down.
As others have said-stick to your guns!!!
All the best
Maria
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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I HAVE JUST JOINED AND READ YOU PLIGHT, I HAD A HARD TIME AT WORK (IN A KITCHEN) I HAD A GREAT CHEF/MANAGER HE REALLY LISTENED AND HELPED ME, BUT WE WERE BOUGHT OVER AND ALL THE THINGS HE PUT IN PLACE FOR ME WERE TAKEN AWAY BY A NEW CHEF( 1ST ONE LEFT) AND I WAS TOLD I COULD COPE, END RESULT I WENT ON SICK LEAVE, GIVEN A GENTLE PUSH AND ULTIMATUM, I LEFT, I STRUGGLE AT TIMES WE ALL HIDE IT IF POSS BUT INFORMATION IS GREAT IF THEY READ IT,BUT UNDERSTANDING IS THE HARD PART, I DONT WORK AT THE MOMENT, AND WHEN I APPLY FOR JOBS ALL I GET OFFERED IS 4HRS WEEKLY, IM ONLY 53 WIDOWED AND FEEL VERY OLD, AH WELL HOPE YOU GET IT SORTED,DONT LET THEM KICK YOU WHEN YOUR DOWN
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Kathleen, I sympathise with you, I was forced out of my job due to asking to cut my hours, and was toled no one does part time, its bad for continuity (it was a Special Needs school) its very hard when you get no support from management. Please dont let them for ce you out, make sure you take the advice given and get help. Wishing you lots of luck and thinking of you x xBARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Dorothy, I have just said hello to you on the "new" thread. Sorry to hear that at 53 you are widowed, it must be so hard. Re work, do you have a disability adviser you cn talk to? Obviously 4 hours per week is not enough, but there is an amount that you feel able to do. I know you must feel very down at the moment, but get some advice, and on this thread Kathleen has been give some good ideas. Wishing you well and luck in finding a job that suits you xBARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 89
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Thankyou for all your support, it's so nice knowing your all out there and how much you care.
Had my scan this morning, it went ok, although I wasn't able to have a look, at least it's a step nearer finding out whats causing the pain in my hip.
Got the letter from my GP about how many hours I'm able to work, charging me £14. for it but it's well worded and will get the message accross.
NRAS are sending me some booklets, an extra copy of one to take into work so maybe it'll help others to understand what RA is all about. So I'm Feeling a bit happier more confident with everything, just so glad I became a member of NRAS.
Thankyou again, Kathleen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Kathleen I highlighted the most relavant bits in the booklet. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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barbiegirl thanks for that and i wish kathleen all the best also
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 230 Location: Leicester
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Just wanted to pop on and welcome you to the forum Kathleen
I'm Helly, 35yrs old and was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis just before my 3rd birthday. I've had one lot of remission thanks to a combo of steroids & methotrexate and now heading towards another remission with hydroxychloroquine.
I'm so sorry to hear about the problems at work and can very much empathise with the situation. I've had a few jobs where my employers have made things difficult and its hard enough trying to deal with your diagnosis without any more pressure. It should be a time when employers show understanding but sadly not all do.
Its brilliant that you're getting some booklets from NRAS, the employer information booklet is particularly good and will hopefully go some way in giving your work some idea of what you are going through. I guess with anything, its the fear of the unknown, and if your employer is anything like so many other companies, they think RA is just something that is part of the ageing process and made worse with the damp etc.
Knowledge is definitely power and I think once you've had a read through and made key notes, you'll feel able to talk things through. One piece of valuable advice is if your employer suggests that you leave the company and then come back when you are feeling better, do not do this. Once you leave a company, you absolve them of any responsibility.
I hope you manage to get some answers..... Looking forward to getting to know you
Helly x Celebrating 10yrs of National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society Doing a Tandem Skydive - May 2011 - All Sponsorship Welcome - www.justgiving.com/helencopeland Read my blog - Helly Copeland
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 89
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Hi everyone, thankyou again for all your support and advice.
Just thought i'd give you an update on whats happening. Still waiting for the scan results it'll be two weeks on the 27th so i'll be giving them a ring, maybe there's some news.
Gave my notice in at work, had a long chat with my area manager, todays 4 hour shift was just too much. Constant pain in my hip, legs and feet, along with pain in my neck, elbows and hands now has me beat. So now i'll concentrate on fighting this blasted RA.
Thanks again, Kathleen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Morning Kathleen
I think you have done the best thing at the moment, like you say your health is the priority at the moment and once it is under control you will be able to move on. I m sure you will feel better in yourself too not having to worry about the thought of going in and suffering. Not long now til you get your scan results.
Take care and have a good weekend, await to hear your news.
Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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sorry to but in,i have just had xrays on neck and shoulders so decided not to try for work at present but i cant do more than 2-3hrs now daily,will try to get an advisor when feel better, anyway ,good luck will watch for your out come.we have to make so many choices but i agree health first.good luck with the scan results.
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