Had case conference this week with human resources, occupational health, line manager and buddy friend.
Occupational health put the case very well on ra/post op.
Human resources has decided to write me off and feels that I can't do my job, line manager doesn't get ra etc (still).
I could waffle on for ages giving me sore hands.

My pay has been cut to half, I can either tell the doctor I'm fine to return to work on recoup (they want more hours than I feel that I can give at the moment) get signed back to work OR tell the doctor I don't feel 100% get signed off BUT on half pay.

Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.
The meeting wipped me out just seems its all take take take (I know they pay my wages) the equality/disability was mentioned a few times and occupational health did amazing talk on explaining ra.

The ball is in my court to have a chat to the doctor.

Any thoughts/ideas?

Jane
Xxx

Saw the doctor the other day, had a chat and I still feel terrible.
Signed off for futher 2 weeks.

Jane

What a predicament and unfortunately it does all come down to money vs health.

If you can afford to stay on half pay then do so as going back to work will not help your health one iota. Maybe a few more weeks may find you more able to go back on gradually increasing hours. It really depends on how long you can survive on the money.

I think possibly a call to the local citizens advice bureau to find out what you may be entitled to, if anything, to top up your existing salary may help.

In the meantime, I think you need to sit down and think about your long term plans. If your health does not improve are you going to be able to manage your job long term. Is there an option for medical retirement? Is there another field of work that may be conducive to your health with less hours? There are plenty of jobs out there no matter what the press say, it's just if you fit into the category of what employer's are looking for.

It is not easy for a GP to give you advice when you are suffering from RA. It's not like a broken leg where he can see it is not mended. They have to go off what you tell them and how you feel. I am sure they will give you more time off if you need it but also are just as likely to support you going back to work if and when that is what you want.

To be honest it is all very well me giving you advice, but having RA is such an unpredictable disease. I am managing to work full time at the moment although I am on lots of medication to keep me working. However, I do not know from day to day what is going to happen with my health and sometimes I do feel as if I am travelling down a never ending tunnel with no views forward or to the sides.

I think non RA sufferers should be given the disease for one hour to try on and see how they like it. I can guarantee that 100% of them will not take up the option of further hours of this awful disease.

I am sorry I cannot be of any more help and perhaps you could also talk to NRAS next week who may be able to offer some good advice.

Take care

Jackie
xx

Lots to update tomorrow x

I agree that the importance of being a mum/wife/cook/dog walker/slave to my doggies every whim (including dirty doggy bums I clean)!! and sex goddess! Hahaha
But that isn't all going to pay the wages!
I just want to get on with me - i have plenty of life left in me.....I'm not old you know!

The reason why I leave feedback on the forums is to show all of you lovely people my experiences, Some people are able to be work and sadly for various reasons are not able.

Here goes:

Received letter from hr to say they will now give me full pay for a few weeks whilst reasonable adjustments (access to work) are made.
Seen my gp and signed off for a further couple of weeks, and he said that I'm unfit to return to work.

Saw the occupational health doctor this week and he said for me to take another four weeks off sick which I will do, if he said your taking the mickey get back to work pronto then I would do so. i respect his views professional input good or bad to help me back to work. He said looking at me you clearly do not look very well.
So I shall extend my sickness.

Access to work are sending me a form out for me to add onto from last year visit by them, then I arrange to meet up with an assessor. And I've even offered to do elf n safety assessment and access to work while I'm off sick.

Every step of the way I have kept my line manager in the loop with email because it has communication to refer to with dates and I can't be accused of not telling them.

My occupational health team have been fantastic along with NHS/rheumatology/physio respect to these guys
What isn't great is a line manager that does not want to know and believes an operation cures ra, and hr that won't be flexible with terms and conditions it lays down, instead implying that I'm too ill to work anymore.

I gave the nras booklet about employees with ra in the work place to my line manager at the case conference but that was tossed to one side and I heard a mumbled I know all about arthritis.

Every single week I'm having to bat off the negativity from the doubters of doom, I just need time to recover and get over the mother go a flare up.

I have a saying since I've been diagnosed DONT WRITE ME OFF and I continue to say this!

Rant over.......x