Astma / Excerbation

[E44E44]

do anyone else have trouble with their employers when off sick with having an asthma- exerbation as I do put it this way I’m being sent to occupational health !!

[Poobah]

I've been to occupational health several times and the reviews have, by and large, been very useful. One of the main benefits has been a more flexible approach to my attendance, with recommendations by the OH practitioner that I will have more time off than usual due to the nature of asthma. It certainly made mangers more understanding of the condition. Just be prepared, and if any elements of your job or workplace is exacerbating your asthma then discuss that with the practitioner as they can make recommendations to the employer to improve the workplace and your duties.

[Myarabella888 in reply to Poobah]

Hi poobahMy employer is a NHS Trust, great on paper but they expect staff to come in sick, not complain, they put me on a clinic that has a dirty aircon blower which is filthy, every time I'm on there I'm sick, I was only ther a hour or so but I am really sick plus my partner used gloss paint and that as well as aircraft , stress in work and paint has made me feel worse.

[Poobah in reply to Myarabella888]

I hear this quite often about the NHS. But you're entitled, by law, to request an occupational health review by a qualified practitioner and they will make recommendations for reasonable adjustments, such as avoiding the triggers you describe. Put your request in writing to HR and explain that certain elements of the workplace are exacerbating your asthma and that you're requesting an occupational health review to make recommendations formal. Any push back, then get your union or similar involved. Sometimes we have to be bloody minded and advocate for ourselves as we'd be waiting forever for the employer to take the initiative. Once you have the reasonable adjustment recommendations in writing, keep a copy safe and be willing to wave it at your manager as necessary. Managers will have their own copy, but they often need reminding we're not push overs. Again, any push back, get your union or professional body involved. Never hesitate to marshall your support and leave your guilt at the hospital entrance - it's too easy for managers to use emotional blackmail when their area is short staffed.

[Cloudancer in reply to Poobah]

Great advice I worked in the NHS and had my contract terminated 20 years ago due to a severe asthma attack at work.There are better support systems and procedures in place than back then.Would also advise meticulous recording of all interactions with HR etc.

[Myarabella888]

YesI would say my employer's are not that helpful, but occupational health are supportive. It's awful as I'm suffering terribly at the moment with asthma I can hardly breathe but I don't want to stay off work tomorrow because I'm on a stage 3 sickness

[E44E44 in reply to Myarabella888]

Same here on a stage 3 at work , what can we do ?

[Poobah in reply to Myarabella888]

The RCN recommend that they're involved from stage 3 and I assume that goes for all relevant professional bodies or unions. Ideally, anyone with asthma will have had an occupational health review and reasonable adjustments to the workplace, duties, shifts and have a more flexible absence/attendance expectation. My employer had Adjustment Passports so that any change in management wouldn't see the need for repeating the process.

If an occy health review hasn't happened by stage 3, then the employer is wholly wanting. Occupational Health will confirm you're covered by the Equality Act 2010, so they're legally obliged to accommodate "reasonable" adjustments in the workplace, with a view of retaining you in work.

Sorry if I'm teaching you how to such eggs.

[Myarabella888]

Isn't it terrible when you work for an organisation that is there to help sick people, yet staff have to suffer ridiculous stage process.

[Homely2 Administrator]

If your employer has a decent quality occupational health it will be really helpful.Remember they might not know much about asthma and will want proper facts about how your asthma and workplace interact.

Is there a way of adjusting your role at work which would suit your asthma, if so, tell them. Is there a more suitable job at work for you.

I would set it all out for yourself on paper before you go to the meeting to give yourself a bit of a script to give them the info they need. Work out what you want occupational health to agree to.

I would also write up your own meeting note afterwards, just in case occupational health are less than helpful.

My workplace did not have occupational health, but had no problem adjusting my job to make it safer for both them and me. My having asthma attacks at work was not helpful to them or me eg Should you work from home when recovering from asthma issues.

[peege]

I can understand that this must be extremely difficult - especially if you work round the NHS. Dreadful, I can only sympathise . P

[Petemano]

Mention the Equality at work act 2010, you are covered for reasonable adjustments in the workplace..

[runcyclexcski]

You can also complain about the unsafe work environment directly to the Govt Health and Safety. They have a web form where one can fill out the name of the employer, their phone number, etc. My employer refused to admit that they had issues with air conditioning not working in my office for 7 years. This caused the temps drop to 10C during the winter. I then complained to the HSE, and the issue got resolved in a week (there was a broken valve in the water line for the heating coils). They also have replaced an old carpet in my office with linoleum floors following the complaint.

I found the complaint form on the HSE web site, it might require some time to find it.

hse.gov.uk/

[Andymcrr3]

Should not be an issue as Asthma is considered as a disability. What they might actually be doing is putting some form of assistance in place for you.