Hi Donna

So sorry to read about you.
I would of thought no, certain people (manager, hour, occ health) should know about you and your condition.
I have had similar, where I have told another superviser when my other one retired. My occ health know, and a manager knows.
I've seen occ health when I was diagnosed and was referred to the occ doctor. He saw me at the beginning 2007 when I was diagnosed, and really empathetic with it.

Until recently, I haven't been off sick with anything ra.....made effort knowing one day I would be off for sometime ra related. I've had bunion & hammer toes op, have been off with that and a flare up. So I'm using 2 walking sticks and shuffling along at snails pace.

I asked my superviser if someone else could do my dse because the office gossip would of facebooked to anyone and everyone.
Only a few people know - I'm a very private person off nras forum.
This other person that did my dse is lovely and respects my wishes for noone to know, she's visited me at home and taken me out for a coffee while I've been off.
My superviser she doesn't "get it, the ra thing" instead done an organisation referral to occ health when I'm fit to return. I have emailed my next line manager and another superviser to keep them in the loop whilst the original superviser is away (so there is evidence I've made contact).

From my external dse assessment, I got a mouse - kensington product that you role the ball of the mouse with your whole palm of your hand, arrived quickly. Waiting for a gel mouse mat and gel wrist rest.
I have a work chair that took a while to be made, which arrived while I was off - can't use it because someone will have to come out and tweak the adjustments.

When I feel well enough, I'm dreading returning, I get a return to work interview - I can handle that side of it, I have put enteries in my diary of sicknotes running out, hospital consultants appointments. But my superviser not having an understanding of ra, she mentioned I should tell my colleagues - I said no, my business.

My understanding, if doctors/consultants said to you that you are not well enough to be at work, then you are covered medically. You are covered under the disability act.

Have you read the "employment" forum. There is a gentleman that is very clued up on disability/work place matters for guidence and advice. Also, the nras helpline - phone number on web page.
You shouldn't have to be having this extra pressure and stress, not on top of ra....none of us should.

Please take care of u, I'm sure with the vast experience on nras forum someone can help!
Jane
Xxx

donna you are not in a good place,i ended up leaving my job as my original boss (chef/managar)was really so helpfull and trusted only him and 2 i worked close with knew,O/T helped him as well as they are based in the factory, i got the work books from nras and gave him the employer one to read he was so good put lots in place for me no questions asked but we were taken over,he left,new manager and company, area manager decided i didnt need my aids and took them away,they also told everyone i had RA so you can imagine how i felt,i was on 3 day roll on shifts and the other girl on my job was 20+ years younger than me so she didnt need help but she was lazy and i always had to finish her work before i could do mine,i ended up on the sick and eventually left,it is a very grey area in the work force,alot of people look but dont really see your problems,be carefull,all the best,dorothy

Hi Donna

I'm sorry you're having to go through all this,on top of having RA. Sadly it seems to be getting all too common for many of us and the way we are treated makes me furious.


My RA isn't too bad much of the time but I've had a lot of trouble at work too. I have a manipulative unpleasant Head who thrives on encouraging conflict between staff even going as far as getting them to 'tell tales'. It started when my being diagnosed coincided with a part time dept colleague resigning. As the Head already had a reputation for getting rid of older staff I was on my guard and sure enough, as I predicted he tried to get me to go part time so he could bring in a new head of dept. I didn't so the next thing was to get me on capability. He set me lots of targets which I managed to achieve although it was hard I wasn't going to crumble as he expected. That was fine for a while- I decided to go down to 4 days a week and he said that my absence wasn't a noticeable problem. A year later I decided to give up the Head of dept post as I'd had enough of trying to cope with a most uncooperative dept member who would not accept my leadership, but told him it was for the sake of my health He got what he wanted- for a while left me alone but this year he tried to take disciplinary action due to my frequent absence ( not a problem before).Fortunately his log of absences was inaccurate ! With the help of my union rep I put up a fight- pointing out that I'd lost both of my parents within the space of 18 months and that this year there had been several staff off with chest infections and other illnesses so I felt I was being picked on. He backed down and said he was not going to proceed with further action.

Sorry to bore you with all the detail! It has been very stressful having to fight and has certainly caused several flares but I'm a fighter by nature. Please make sure you keep written records of everything, copies of all e mails, ask for relevant documents such as the company health and attendance policy and do your homework thoroughly ( sorry- the teacher in me!) . Sadly I've learned that employers are unforgiving when it comes to illness and I've learned not to trust anyone, a sad state of affairs. A former colleague suggested looking at workplace bullying , ACAS, Equality Act etc websites.

I'm quite a bit older than you and only a few years off retirement but it makes me so angry to be treated like this, particularly when I've been hardworking and committed all these years and still have a lot to offer. I appreciate that staff absence can be a problem but we didn't ask to get this awful disease and some support and compassion would be great.

I hope that you can get through this- keep us informed of how it goes.

Take care -and look after yourself.

Sending you big hugs

Maria

Hi Donna

Ra is frustrating, I laugh, cry, ask myself why?!
Do ring the hospital - peace of mind for you and shows the employer that you are reactive to your condition and taking responsibility.

Its an awful situation with work it ur unison rep has given advice to you - I would take it because you are covered under disability law and the rep knows what they are talking about.

If say in a negative way you loose your job, then you could take it to an employment tribun - BUT gather evidence! What I mean is take notes of the incidents/who you have seen/comments/witnesses/record days and times. Has the unison rep put their comments in writing?

If the doctor puts you off sick - then listen to what they are saying because they are there to help! I know its easier said than done but you need to have time out and look after you!

Please Donna eat & get rest because ra doesn't do stress!
Give nras helpline a call for advice, peace of mind.

I'm embarassed because I've been off sick since June following foot op and a flare up, I'm having pressure to return to work but I'm stiff, shuffling like an oap, can't walk far and have a stick.
I don't want people to see me like this....................I went into work Friday to hand in sick certificate into reception (didn't
go into office) and my superviser doesn't get ra.

What I'm trying to say Donna, is you are not alone!
Look after U and think of yourself.

Nras does a booklet for employeers about ra and giving them pointers if it helps.

Hopefully u don't see me as a nag bag, my intentions are caring and kind!

All the best to you.
Jane
Xxx

Hi Donna - hope you've managed to sleep better and are eating. I've just reread my last post and realise it was a bit gruff! I think I was just so angry for you and the way you've been treated, but it came across rather negative - sorry.

I'll echo what Jane and Jenni are saying - you need to take rest and give your meds time to do their job and allow your RA to settle down. Stress will make the pain a whole lot worse. You're being given good advice from your GP, consultant and union rep.

I do hope things look brighter soon and remember to eat well - lots of fruit and veg are good fuel for your body to feel better.

Best wishes - Sylvia xx