Had a terrible day today, i work in a health environment, was ill last week after someone sprayed perfume at work, and got taken to hospital via ambulance from gp. I phoned my manager to say could i go to gp and she said i had been fine earlier. I went back in the office and not one person asked me if I was ok. I went to gp and they give me nebs then called ambulance. I have been off since and been on steroids finished yesterday. Steroids not worked that well so unsure to go to work or go to Drs. I informed my manager on Sunday night if I was well enough I would come in but if not go to the Drs.
I went to the Drs this am and they have said I have a viral illness as well as asthma. My manager phoned me telling me this is the fourth time I have been off sick in twelve months (3 x associated with asthma and one bug). I was off for a while iniially in Nov when it all started, couple of viruses, then chest pain shortness of breath, been to hosp several times. I intially diagnosed as costochronditis, and also at my previous gp anxiety. Did spirometrey normal but was so ill in spirometey that they couldn't say got asthma so when saw Drs they said peak flows say got asthma. My best 550, iniially had peak flows in 300s now 400s plus. Now on purple inhaler started 1.5 weeks ago, was on brown, but was struggling when hot weather started? Pollen. On montelukast. Then this latest episode.
Manager has said I haven't been 'that ill'. That the inhalers havent worked according to her. That i have no diagnosis and i should have and the drs dont know And they should have found out by now basically I'm making it up or stress. I wanted to go into work but they wouldn't let me and said i had to get sick note. And that this episode will go to hr and then it will go to capability if I am off once more. I am really upset it's bad enough being ill but for people to say you'e not that ill.
Prior to this I have never been unwell to this level. Just not getting better and nothing helping.
It's my birthday this week now I'm unwell and miserable.
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Prestart55
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Hi I am so sorry you are ill. I had a sharp intake of breath when I read what your employer had to say to you about it and it's disgusting! Now if your employers know or can reasonably be expected to know about your illness they have to by law make reasonable adjustments for you. These can be extra breaks, sick leave, etc. If they don't do this they have broken the Health and Safety at Work Act.
They should also be sending you off to Occupational Health for their opinion. They haven't got to act on it though and any RA's are subject to business needs. If they fail to help you to stay in your job and dismiss you then you have a very good case for an Employment Tribunal. This is also the same if you feel you have no choice but to resign this is called constructive dismissal. Are you in a union? Is there a personnel department there? You need some help to deal with this so if all else fails get yourself to a solicitor who does the free half hour thing and find out your rights. Ok it is unlikely you will see a solicitor but a legal executive should be able to help too.
Much will depend on how long you have been there and the size of the company too. The incident where someone at work sprayed perfume should not be allowed and you need to document this and ask them to tell the workforce they must not do this at work.
You can also contact ACAS online as they are the experts in employment law. I hope you are feeling better soon. x
So sorry to hear about this. Make sure you document everything. If you can, print out any emails you get from your Manager and workplace about this incident, or forward the emails to a personal email address. You will need this sort of documentation if your workplace continues to have a cr*p attitude toward something you are unable to control; it is not your fault and don't let them convince you of this. The perfume spraying incident is particularly awful; why was this person doing that in the office in the first place? - they weren't working at the time, that's for sure! Keep a diary of any conversations or any incidents. If there is a workplace union, join it immediately - they can be very helpful and supportive, including accompanying you to any 'meetings' that the employers think they can drag you through. Beware of HR, Personnel, or whatever they call themselves - they are there to enforce the employer's view of things, and not to support you beyond ensuring you're paid, have signed their documentation, etc. Occupational Health is probably going to be much the same, but always go through the motions if your employer requires it. If you're there, it's unlikely that you'll have to put up with the perfume spraying at any rate! On the whole, Union For the Win, but that is only my opinion. I had to consult them on one occasion, and they can really put the wind up the employers - my manager's face was a picture (definitely worth it on that front alone!). Hope you get well soon, and take care x
Look at the Equality Act .. you may find your employers need to be very careful what to do and say .. if you have had your condition for more than 12 mths its classed as chronic , if you require medication to keep the symptoms at bay you are covered inadvertently as without meds you will become unwell and you don’t have to have a condition that is named so long as it affects you’d say to day life either inadvertently or as a general rule ... quote the act to your employers and insist on OH referral .. whilst OH are there for the work place they have a duty to ensure you are not discriminated against .. and won’t risk a litigation claim if they don’t support you ...
I’ve been through this fir 4 yrs ... I’ve had capability hearings and finally the last couple of months OH have covered the Equality questions and as I knew, I’m covered despite not having any formal diagnosis ... it’s been a tough fight and one at times I’ve wanted to give up on as I’ve been so unwell but I knew I could still do my job but needed a little more time to recover from infections and reasonable adjustment to my contract and masks to aid environmental triggers...! If you were diabetic the employers would need to look after you or they face discrimination charges ... it’s no different for asthma of any other undiagnosed respiratory chronic condition like mine ...
I really feel for you as the added stress from work does not help .. but don’t go back to work until you are well enough .. or you’ll get additional sick on your system .. go to GP and get signed of .. work can’t do much whilst signed of !!!! It’ll give you a couple weeks breathing space (so to speak !!)
Meant to add ... have you had formal sickness meetings where HR are there .. in my work place we have to have 3 of these before they can process the capability hearings .. this takes months and has to be minuted and formal where you can take someone with you .. Union rep ??? This is where many employers mess up !!! Document everything even the telephone conversations as a diary entry as these will be needed in any hearing .. if you find an increase in stress due to managers attitude , document that ... it’s all relevant ... stress is huge in these situations .. I have pages of stuff related to poor communication from managers ... and pages of stuff related to non minuted meetings which means in the eyes of the law they never happened ..
make sure any communication with work is via email ... that way it’s all traceable !!!
Your manager needs to go on an update for people skills !!! Shocking behaviour ... but sadly you are not alone !!! Xx
I haven't had any formal sickness meetings she just said to me on phone but it has really upset me. Not feeling any better and now feeling upset. I don't know what to think. I was off iniially with same symptoms flu like symptoms, chest pain, shortness of breath, they said I got costochronditis, so stayed off using painkillers etc seemed settled. The minute went back started getting worse again e.g. actually doing something instead of resting the whole time then they said it asthma via peak flows now on purple and blue and montelukast but this latest exacerbation has lasted a while. Even tho all saturations blood tests ok. Don't know what to thing and manager said I don't have a diagnosis and the drs should know by now and that they are fobbing me off telling me I have another viral infection and I can't have had 4 or 5 since November. The issue is I am a qualified nurse so my 'colleagues' and 'manager' all think they think they can make comments on this and according to them they don't think it is asthma. So obviously they are right.....
I also work for the NHS .. frontline and so often I’m reading the NHS are the worse at dealing with employees with medical conditions ..! They like threatening with capability .. and like me you only have 3 periods of sickness a year before you get sickness meetings !!!
It’ll be worth documenting your upset as this all adds to the stress and increases the symptoms.. it doesn’t matter the drs don’t know what’s wrong .. and as a nurse they should know these things take time sometimes .. we are not robots !!!
I often feel ok when at home and feel well enough to return to work but then the extra exertion at work is enough to tip me back over the edge ... I suppose we don’t realise how much we rest at home !!!
I suggest you see your GP for support .. get signed of work and get yourself well again .. a lot of my patients in the community are unwell with respiratory issues at the moment so something is going around ..
Don’t give yourself a hard time .. it’s taken me a long time to accept I need to be of when I’m unwell .. I fight it for to long resulting in A/E treatment or treatment at work via my colleagues as I’ve returned too early !!! I’m learning the hard way .. ! I’ve also learnt that work may threaten with capability but there is a long process until they get there and as you haven’t a diagnosis they can’t get rid of you ... but it’s very stressful .. talk to your GP and ask for support and if necessary more tests or referrals .. also insist on OH referral through work ... OH reports go along way to protect you ....!
Note all incidents down in your 'incident' diary - every time someone says something in regard to your asthma. If nothing else, when you start jotting the comments down that could freak them out. This also includes phone calls on the subject of your asthma, as recently happened to upset you. I would even look as to how you might be able to record them - with today's easy tech, it might be possible. But either way, ask her to put it in an email. If the manager just says things about your asthma face to face, ask for her to put it in an email. Doesn't matter if she doesn't, as it gets noted down in your incident diary anyway! But she'll start to realise that you mean business about this unreasonable and unsupportive behaviour. It's great you're asking here about what to do, but there is nothing like having someone on your side at work - aka the union. Is there a union at your workplace?
I too am a healthcare professional. My manager and colleagues are totally different to yours. My manager even called an ambulance once and went with me and stayed at the hospital. You , like myself , have a problem with strong perfumes and body sprays. No one is allowed to wear strong perfume at work now. My work colleagues won’t spray body spray in my vicinity.
I was told a few years ago that I have stage 4 asthma. I continued to deteriorate. They but me on braltus also. I then started to feel a bit better. I went to see a consultant , who isn’t sure if I even have asthma. I have to go back to see his team this week. I feel like the hospital team feel that I haven’t got anything wrong with me. I have had various tests. I just hope that I find out what is wrong with me, if not asthma.
Anyway, I digress. What you need to do is make an appointment with your occupational health team. What ever they suggest, your work area must comply with. At the moment, you’re still awaiting a definitive diagnosis. Give them a call. I’m sure they will help you. After all, your employer has a duty of care to look after its employees, just like you do.
I hope this helps. Preppie can feel very isolated when they are ill. I hope that you feel better soon.
My husband said that then tried to claim he helps with all said made up health issues I'm now getting a free divorce because of the Mr little perfect sees me suffering and ignores it. Keep your letters from Dr and hospital I've got about 8 years worth ask for letters from the Dr no matter how silly thay sound if your willing to pay for it so yo kinda have a NHS file mine has A and E, Dr, consultants, operations, dental ect and if you get any benefit add them but another file also find out how your local mp can help I've had to have there help a few times with disability living allowance and thay where a real help.
In respect of the job you mentioned do you really want the hassle if you don't do anything your boss will keep it up you have the right to sue but do you want the hassle of court ect or do you want to just leave enjoy your birthday get fit and well new cases with asthma take time and mistakes I've had asthma since I was 2yrs and it wasn't until I was 32yrs that a good Dr noticed I can't take any inhalers except for the ventolin some Dr's still ask why don't I use a brown and I just say I've been through this I'm deadly allergic to it it's on my file only the blue one or the nebuls. This is why the asthma nurse hates me for 30yrs the asthma nurses had wronged me and said to me what would I know, I as all asthma patients know very well is how it feels having a attack.
Be strong get well happy birthday and up to you about your job but good luck
I went to Drs again on Monday as not getting much better despite steroids. They have given me lansoprazole, they think I have acid reflux that is affecting terrible chest pain and asthma. Also have hoarse voice and sore throat. I have had two days worth, there is a bit if an improvement at least my inhalers are working better anyway. It's weird as outside sometimes worse ? Pollen as well ? The reflux has put me off eating as well. Gp jot sure whether asthma caused reflux or reflux caused asthma yet. Asthma came first tho.
I told the gp about above and that work had said 'not that ill', they said they will decide how ill I am! Also given me another sick note for next week so don't really have discuss but still need to ring work tomorrow 😥 Also she said they can give a report if work ask for it but work will have to pay for it, and won't give anything out till checked with me. They weren't too impressed.
You can ask them to give your employer certain information, but remember, you have a right to privacy. Are you in a union? If so, I think, if it was me, I would ask them for their advice. Regardless of your health, it sound like you are being bullied. If you’re ill, and people keep getting at you, it can seem a never ending slog. Talk to your union rep, you don’t have to bring a complaint if you don’t want to, but I’m sure it will get better if your boss knows you’re in touch with your union. Keep your chin up. Hope it all sorts itself out soon for you.
I have phoned rcn today, the union rep is meant to be ringing me back. They said that the manager should be supportive of me, and thinks the manager got terms wrong ie capability (not sure about this). They said they don't usually come to stage 1 meetings but will for mine. I applied for a job in may which I received an interview for but couldn't go last week. They rang me to say would I like an interview next week. They said that they enjoyed reading my cv. I said yes but prob haven't a hope in he'll of getting it now with sickness and even if I do will prob get a shot reference.
I am hoping to be back next week but have annual leave 2 weeks from 24th onwards already booked which manager hasn't mentioned. The vast majority chest pain gone but chest still sore but not painful, still affecting throat, the reflux meds seem to be working but still waking up with Acid, and also throat bad after meals. I tried Apple cider vinegar yesterday but was so disgusting don't want to try again and might do damage.
Has anyone had any experience of asthma and reflux at all?
Hi, glad to see below that things are looking up! Can't comment much on the rest but re the job sounds good and I would look up the Equality Act 2010 and/or ask your union rep as they are being helpful. I am.pretty sure your sickness record is not something that can be taken into consideration when you apply for a new job. If you are worried about the reference again would I am pretty sure not be allowed for current manager to sabotage, but would mention to union that this is a concern.
Good luck! Hope things all start looking up and you get a job in a nicer environment.
I heard from rcn today. They were helpful and supportive. They said it wasn't on what she had said and was bullying. They will come with me for stage one meeting and will be telling them this which they don't usually do but will for mine. They advised to attend occupational health appointment and tell them same and see what they say according to rcn rep oh take a dim view of this sort of behaviour. I will be needing to go to Drs tomorrow the rcn rep advised not to go back to work until right.
I am feeling better especially on asthma front and just down to 2 puffs twice of seretide and montelukast plus no blue today so just level 4 meds which I haven't really managed on for a while since the hot weather began, also after being at a&e was taking up to 14-30 puffs at least of blue which is bad. Reflux wise I am taking the PPI lanzerorople or however you spell it. Throat wise was still bad esp after meals etc I have taken some gaviscon ADVANCE which seems to be helping. Throat is worse when talking also. However big difference between managing at home and carrying equipment and doing a busy job. I am also thinking of how this will affect asthma on return. I think the reflux definitely affecting asthma tho.
I just went to Drs today, saw one seen previously but is a bit hard work. He didn't know I had asthma (groan!), despite being on level 4 meds (he put me on seretide!!, he also overlooked I had been in a&e! He put it down to post nasal drip which I have been saying for 6 months but noone took me up on it and asked me to take (paying for) beconase and antihistiminines (I already take Levoceterzine he px it for me!!) I don't pay for my px as have hypothyroidism.
Anyways the upshot of it was the gaviscon ADVANCE I prescribed myself is helping, so will the antihistimines. The beconase will help with post nasal drip caused by allergies, the lanzerople can be discontinued if this works. I will continue on level 4 meds and manage (which I haven't done for a while I have to say) I am hoping on up with everything now.
Also my clothes are too tight!! According to the gp 😂
I can return to work tbh suits me as on annual leave for 2 weeks and now I can go to that interview next week as well as my holiday to South of France.
I have decided to apply for lots of jobs as won't be staying there after she has said that.
I am sure the rcn will be supportive.
I rang my manager today. She was saying about my voice and throat but I just said the Dr said that will improve. I felt very uncomfortable giving any information. I don't believe they give a hoot about anything and just want bums on seats.
I am gonna apply for jobs. Go to work say hello and goodbye and do my work I won't be discussing anything or definitely anything personal and I will be reviewing my Facebook 'friends'. If people want to try and treat me like that which is disgusting then I will cut them dead.
I am just updating and to say thanks for all the help. I applied for another job unfortunately I couldn't attend interview in June as was still ill from my exacerbation. But fortunately they delayed the interview for me till June 27th and I got offered the job when I was on holiday in provence!
The rcn were extremely helpful at all times. So were oh and they wrote to tell employer that they recommended banning perfumes and aerosols. but when I went to new oh same wellbeing partners they said I can't go round telling people not to spray perfume!!!
Spray perfume but just not near me!!
When I told them I was leaving at work they tried to get me to stay in fact it was a bit intimidating for a few days as I kept getting rung up and asking me to stay. Same person who told me above stuff! However they shouldn't have said the above to me so they must no why I'm leaving. I had a heavy workload so was looking at leaving but this incident pushed me right over the edge into thinking about another job.
Oh they don't want me to leave but I am.
So my new start date is 12th Nov. There are a couple of nurses there with asthma as well so hopefully they will be a bit more understanding. Hopefully, above has put me off a bit but trying to remain positive.
Thanks to everyone x
Next thing is consultants appointment for me in November!!
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