i was in my previous job for 4.5 years and luckily didnt have THAT much time off sick wiv my asthma untilthe last year- whe i had 3 months off altogether, then back for a month then another month off and endured a lot of hassle from management re: sick leave and recurrent referrals to occ health and even psych??
even had comments from other colleagues like 'are you gonna be able to last the shift without getting wheezy or needing your inhaler again?' or 'are you able to work the week or end up backin ITU/ HDU again?' and treating me differently.... i wasnt looking forward to going to work and looking over my shoulder, but no-one ever complained i wasnt doing my job properly etc.... and ONE boss was great.
i left end oct, to work elsewhere, and since starting there, within a month, i was admitted and needed 3 weeks off and now i am currently off for another 3 weeks from being in HDU x 2 yet again and recovering.... management seem more sympathetic and was informed of my admission when i was taken into resus the first time, but because of previous experiences with my old management and colleagues, i cant help thinking and worrying what they must be thinking about me and my ability etc.. and am i at risk of my job. when i am at work, never have problems doing my work etc and do it to the best of my abilities and love my work
i dont want this blooming asthma to ruin my career that i love doing and have done for the last 8 years, ya know?
scared of goin back to work march 7th incase people say anything, question my ability, or threaten me with the sack :S
i know all this worry + anxiety is not doing my chest any good either...
try not to worry ,they would have to send you to OH first and they will say if you are ok
for your job and acsess your med info from gp with your sday so.
If there is a part of your job that does cause you a problem OH will tell them to make reasonable
adjustments for you and that should be it but if it does kick off at work get your union in from day one.
OH and HR and my union and work were all behind me but work had rules to follow so thats why i had to go to OH, wasnt for asthma xxx
thanks glynis, you certainly do know how to comfort me and cheer me up and i thank you so much for that
i phoned occ health last week and told them of my admissions etc.. and asked if i needed to see them, but they said as log as my GP says i am unfit for work at present then no, and it is up the GP to decide when fit for work. as far as i know, there is nothing at work that makes me worse or triggers an attack- i work in ITU as a nurse and been in nursing for past 8 years, gotten worse in past 11 months tho.
i may got onto my union though if things get out of control from hassle point of view. i hope not though :S
or should i inform them anyways ??
xxx
Hi snowy,
I cant believe the way you were treated by some work colleagues. Were they so insensitive they thought you took time off for fun, or as they said being a little wheezy.
I am sure your new job & more supportive colleagues do understand when you are ill.
You are obviously very competent & an asset to your new company. They seem to appreciate you at least.
Do try not to become stressed over being off work due to illness. I know its easy for me to say, but you are going through enough without becoming stressed on top.
Your new boss does sound much more supportive. Your job will be safe i feel sure of it.
Concentrate on your recovery.
Remember, you landed your new job on merit & they are very happy with you.
Get well soon
Howie
Hey Snowy,
Are you still in the NHS? I have had some hassles and know some other NHS folk on here have but on the whole I reckon most of us have been fine, I have had 2 occ health referrals in the past year and actually, the 2nd one was veru useful and supportive and has helped me since within my job. Asthma also falls under the DDA (within certain parameters) but your occ health will know more about that.
i would say hold off on involving the union unless you get to formal sickness stages.
Take care
Try not to stress out about it!!
Fee
hi fee
thanks for your reply and words of comfort. still working for the NHS, yes and since working with my current post job havent been referred to occ health as yet for my asthma. and i know work not exac it- only stressing bout losing my job!! tried to self refer cos of previous hassles in pevious trust but they said no need to worry as had blocks of time off rather than one day off here and there and fortunately (or not) other times when needed admission i have been on days off or on annual leave and have been okay before being back in work, luckily....
anyways, we soon find out when back to work :S
trying not to worry is hard and yes it is affecting my chest.....
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