Jane

Thank God you have a good Occupational Health Department.

From what I know of employment law, your company has to do everything in their power to accommodate you and your illness. They have to do a work risk assessment to see if they can do any changes which will make it easier for you to do your job. This assessment will then most probably be sent to the organisation doctor for him to talk to you about and consider what your company can do to help you back to work.

So in answer to your question, yes I think you need to attend the work risk assessment beore seeing the company doctor. You must, however, make it clear to whoever is carrying out this assessment that you want this dealt with so that you do not feel uncomfortable doing it in front of the rest of the office and put this in writing to them. You could always take someone with you to give you a bit of support. They cannot refuse this as you are ill and may need help getting around.

It's a horrible situation for you to be in but if you want your company to keep on paying you, then I expect you will have to go along with their request.

Take care and keep us posted.

Jackie
xx

Hello Jane,

So sorry to hear that you going through a very rough time at the moment and not even sorted with operations
to look forward to.

Two years ago I was off for 8 months from my job then as Manager of Insurance. A very stressful job (even worse now).
I work for a big Company who were excellent my immediate Manager visited me every couple months and I received
3 visits at home from HR. However before I was allowed to return I received a telephone consultation from occupational
health which said I had to start work a few hours per week and gradually pick up. Come in later due to morning stiffness,
take frequent breaks. Be able to park near my office etc etc. I actually started with 2 hours for 3 days a week and gradully
increased by only up to 12 hours, when then I used to feel awful. Nearly 2 years later I still do 12 hours, still find it difucult
and fet sooo tired. Before I was allowed to go back my HR also arranged for me to see Access to work via the job center
plus. Well they were excellent. Loads of equipment they suggested I have after they visited me. New £900 chair, keyboard,
mouse, grabber, work board near the screen, kettle holder even grab rails in the loo and also a swivel seat cover for my
car. as they said if I was unable to drive to work they would arrange a taxi to get me there. The Government definately want
us peeps to get to and stay in work don't they. However you can see that I had great help. My firm paid me full pay
for 13 weeks and then further 13 weeks at 75% so I was lucky. That is over a rolling 12 month. I have had time off since
couple weeks here and there and the way I feel last couple days I may be having to have some more time off.

I do feel for you and totally understand


Rose x

Yes, Good luck and keep us up to date.

x

Hello everyone.
Busy day Tuesday (tomorrow).
Got appointment with occ health doctor, get his medical take on me deemed well enough to return to work.....I feel I want to, until the next foot op and knee op (have no orth surgeon appointments come through yet).
After the doctor, got to see the boss.....nice person, but doesn't get ra/operations. Get asked endless same questions - I shall mention this to occ health doctor to see if he can include in his report something further to help get her head around ra.

I shall make u laugh, got to call dentist tomorrow because my filling came out just after they closed at tea time!
That's another heading on the forum....bad teeth!

Good nite all
Xxx

will update tomorrow.
Fingers winding down, brain matter overloaded!

hello Sylvia
Thank you, you are kind x

Got gp appointment last nite, she signed me off a few more days, I go back on monday next week on 2 hours (sounds long time!) For a week, up to me on extending or doing more hours a day. BUT I have to be able to walk around and be mobile on my terms - happy with that!
I said that I have to go back as I have 2 operations sometime - gp lovely and kind and said I shouldn't feel guilty (wished she was my normal gp).

Still with stick, went into work after my ohu doctor appointment yesterday morning - at least hobbling in with stick gives the gossipers a few days to gossip!!

I'm worried about the future with ra work/me - I know many people that are not able to work. Its awful to have a stick and hobble to do the school run, but I have to carry on!! I'm stubbon :-)

I'm so tired today, pain on overtime......typical.

No date for orth surgeon for knee, shall let you all know.

Take care
Jane