Return to teaching after shielding- update. Sorry in advance for the long post!

[TeachKat]

Well, I finally had my occupational health appointment (by phone) - the one my gp said needed to be done before I returned to work - I had had to return from the start of term anyway as my school argued and tried to persuade me not to request it, then delayed as long as possible in the hope I would give up.

I haven’t seen the report yet but the doctor who spoke to me was very sympathetic and thorough- it took about an hour. She said that she would tell school that I shouldn’t attend meetings in person, should only do lunch duties with my own class - she was very insistent that I must reduce the number of people I come into contact with as much as possible. I’ve been wearing a visor (much to the annoyance of the school) and she said that I should also wear a face mask whenever I wasn’t actually speaking to the children and preferably all the time. She also said that I shouldn’t have to do outside duties if it is cold and/or windy (major asthma triggers for me).

I’m rather dreading school’s reaction but I feel vindicated- the school leaders have been trivialising my concerns and being very dismissive - I’m reassured that I’m not being neurotic or feeble! So good news - even though I know I’m going to have fight to get theses adjustments implemented.

[Poobah]

Hi Teachcat. I'm really proud of you for sticking to your guns and getting your occupational health review. By law, the school will have to have an exceptional reason not to accommodate the recommendations of the review ( laziness and ineptitude doesn't count), otherwise they would be in jeopardy of contravening the Equality Act 2010 and a raft of Health & Safety Regulations and lay themselves open to accusations of discrimination via the grievance process..

Definitely ask for a copy of the report, you're entitled to a copy before it goes to the employer. Read it carefully and ask for any inaccuracies to be addressed. Once you know the school has a copy of the report, ask for a meeting to discuss the recommendations. It's at this point you'll be able to agree the reasonable timescale for implementation of the recommendations. Be aware that you can raise a grievance if the employer acts in an unreasonable way, ignoring or severely delaying the adjustments to your work.

Your union should be able to support you through all of this.

[watergazer]

Well done teachkat. As Poohbah says gets a copy of the report for yourself. I went through a similar process after having a bad bout of pneumonia and pleurisy . The school has to follow the recommendations. I always get copies of any medical meetings now even though I'm retired . Take care. I don't know why they are being funny about the visor - at my granddaughter's school all teachers now wear visors and any one dropping off or collecting children has to wear a face covering- it's a primary school x Anita

[mylungshateme]

Well done echo what other 2 said very proud of you! It's like we have to prove our illness all the time 👀🤔. 🥂

[peege]

Bravo, 👏 👏 👏 . Well done you for sticking it out . P

[madonbrew]

Well done for sticking up for yourself!!! It’s such a shame everything is always a battle trying to prove ourselves, but like the others, I’m proud of you! It takes courage!

Dee x 👏👏👏😊

[ninelives]

Well done.

Thank you for posting

[Jandm]

They have to give you reasonable adjustments and they are all reasonable. I fail to see how they can argue against it as none of the steps will stop you from being a good teacher. It can be stressful having to fight your own corner never mind having to deal with the worry of catching covid on top. They should be helping you all they can. I think you need a medal going back to work and every support possible

[TeachKat]

Thank you everyone for your lovely, supportive comments- they’re really morale boosting! The report was emailed to me and school today - cue mild panic and lots of ruffled feathers and reproachful comments from the senior leaders. My headteacher (who has spent several weeks dismissing my concerns and denying that there was any risk) kept coming to see me and asking why I wanted these adjustments and how it was all going to work! I just kept saying that I wasn’t an occupational health expert and that I just thought that I should follow the advice of my GP and the OH doctor! It’s really up to the senior leaders to make it work - I’m just exhausted by having to keep pushing for what I need. In the end I made the head sit down and listen to what severe asthma is - ‘the most severe and life- threatening form of asthma’ -as the Asthma UK definition says. I’m thinking that I may well have to involve my union.

Take care, everyone and thank you again!

[AutumnHedgerow]

Take some notes of such remarks (such as those by the head), and assiduously keep tracking them; they may come in very useful at some point.

[TeachKat]

Thank you AutumnHedgerow - I certainly will! I have also told my colleagues about each conversation and I am keeping every email on the subject.