Where do I start !!! I have for the last 25 years been in full time employment, even though I was diagnosed with RA 22 years ago. As a majority of you will know, when you have a disability, you tend to go that extra mile to prove that you can still perform as good as your collegues, some times better, in a hope that you can still be made to feel wanted, normal, and part of a team.
We now have a new "Sheriff" in town and he has clearly let it be known that sickness levels will be his priority, and he doesn,t care who he upsets. Ordinarily, a new management arrival do's not worry me as I believed that "there are laws in place to protect disabled people being discrimminated against". That was before I recieved paperwork through the post informing me that I was being refered for an ATOS assessment to establish if I fit the criteria for ill health retirement ! They could of issued it to me at work, as I'd been back a week after having had only 2 weeks off. One thing were not short of at work is "Policy's"! I got hold of the Sick Managment Policy, amongst others, and there it is in black and white...."when staff are failing to provide regular and effective service at work over a prolonged period for medical reasons". My hat is truly nailed on. They have had no consultation with me regarding any of this, which initially made me so angry with them for there lack of care towards me as a proffessional person.
I went to see the OHA we have at work and informed her of what had happened. She knew nothing of my referral, and another 30 peoples, and was as disgusted in it all as I was. She herself is due to finish in November as she can no longer work there as her reccomendations and input are being brushed aside by management who are clearly using bullying and intimidation techniques against staff on the sick.
After much discussion with my partner, friends , and the OHA, I have now decided to fight to get my ill health retirement, a decision the OHA has supported, and assured me that I will get it as I fit all the criteria laid down. I asked her whilst I am awaiting a date to be seen, would it go against me if I was still in work as I am now? She said after the way they had treated me, her reccomendations, (un-officially of course,) would be to go home, enjoy the sun, report sick the next day and wait for them now. The sad thing is that they still make me feel as if I would be letting my team down. I have promised my partner that I will spend the next 2 weeks closing things off at work, then do as she suggests.......put my feet up and relax, and if I get a pang of guilt then I should recall how bad staff are treated by large organisations, who hide behind policy's and directives.
Jackie.
