Oh Louise

Poor you. You didn't exactly get a welcome back did you ?

Continue though as arranged things may get easier.

Thinking of you

Hi Louise
sorry to hear your return to work was not a pleasent experience your head of faculty sounds like a nasty piece of work hope things improve for you

Hi everyone

Half way through my phased return and am really struggling. I am only going in three mornings a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and dont begin to teach limited classes for another week. I am constantly tired and am starting to have pain in my elbows and wrists as well as my feet knees and hips. I have to say though, my union rep has been fantastic, she is so supportive. I think I am going to go down the retirement due to ill health route though. I need confirmation from my consultant saying that the RA will get progressively worse and will not get better. Not sure if I will be entitled to claim any money from anywhere though. Does anyone have any ideas?

Louise

Hi, only just picked up this thread. Sorry you are having such a bad time.
I had to apply for ill health retirement a few years ago as my RA was making my teaching career impossible. Teaching is so very hard, even for the young and the fit these days. I had several long periods off sick before I realised I needed to leave.
Anyway, this is what I did to get retirement.

I started with the attitude that "I wanted to continue but my employers had to help me". (The union gave me these ideas from previous cases.)
I got full pay for reduced hours thanks to my employer's sympathy and also a government fund called Access to Work.
I got moved to an accessible teaching area, no stairs, etc.
I was provided with a supportive chair, a lap top, and a trolley to carry all my books, folders, etc.
So I was able to carry on a while longer.

Next, I simultaneously applied for ill health retirement, and asked to work only part time.
I spent some time with Human Resources staff who showed me the very lengthy forms they have to fill in, in which they have to say what steps they have taken already to keep me in work. And of course, by then, they had tried all sorts (as listed above) so they had enough evidence to support my application.

Meanwhile I spoke to my consultant who supported me. And my notes were accessed to add the necessary evidence of my disease.

And within a couple of months I got my farewell letter from the Secretary of State for Education, plus my (enhanced) pension. I must admit it was all very upsetting at the time, having to admit to myself I couldn't do the job any more. But in the years since I have had no regrets. My health is so very very much better now that I can pace myself and give my attention to me instead of those little devils in those classrooms!

Good luck!

Hi

This is now making me think about my own situation. Last week the head called me into his office to ask if I wanted to consider cutting my hours further after he noticed I'd missed 2 parents evenings (which, I pointed out were NOT RA related but something else.)when I pressed him about it the cheekyb***** said he was needing to make cutbacks and save money!! He'd still have to employ someone to teach the lessons though. I made it quite clear that I was not impressed with his presumptious attitude but I would think about it, and get back to him later.
I do find it hard going at times although I seldom take time off which results in me being shattered all weekend. At the moment I work 4 days with Weds off which is ust about manageable. I've decided that I'm going to step down as Head of Dept and see how things go. I still think I'm maybe being stubborn and the only loser will be me but it's so hard to let go and accept it.

hope all gets sorted for you soon

Maria x