Update to level one absence meeting

[Mayneffy]

Just to give you an update, I've had my meeting which seemed very short, took union rep with me who was quite helpful. The upshot is I now have to have a meeting with occupational health doctor to assess how bad my asthma is although work has suggested its if my asthma falls under the disability act. Anyway after this meeting it will be decided if I go on an improvement plan or carry on as is. I did mention due that an improvement plan would be setting me up to fail. We shall see what happens

[Homely2 Administrator]

Write up your own notes of what was said at the meeting and file them, in case of need.

[fraid]

Sounds a nightmare, are they trying to get you to resign? Aren't they supposed to make reasonable changes so that you can keep working? Good luck and glad you have union support, they're pretty tenacious. 🤞

[Poobah]

I think it's good that the employer is seeking occupational advice and that you're seeing a doctor (sometimes nurses are used).

When you see the occupational health doctor to review your asthma and how it affects your access to work, don't hold back on describing the worst days and how contracting viruses can severely impact your asthma. It may help if you start jotting down what bad days are like and how much a cold virus etc affect your health. And if the workplace attendance policy makes you anxious about taking sick leave and anxiety exacerbates your asthma, say that.

You may be asked about additional asthma treatment for exacerbations and what expectations are with regard your recovery. If it's difficult to access your GP and this delays additional treatment for asthma exacerbations and chest infections, explain how this impacts how quickly you can access additional treatment. And if you've experienced slower recovery times, pointvthat out. Some have described more sensitivity to respiratory problems after they had covid and recovery from respiratory infections or exacerbations take longer.

I recall one occupational health nurse advising my manager that asthmatics were no more likely to suffer chest infections than non asthmatics. Fortunately, my manager pretty much accepted my word that the nurse wasn't a respiratory specialist and had got that wrong. So it's important to think ahead and plan to provide everything you can about how your asthma affects you and stress the increased risk of chest infection from colds etc - if you always get a chest infection from a cold, say so.

It's OK to say that expectations about your asthma are misunderstood, whether it's going to be magically controlled by Ventolin or antibiotics or steroid tablets OR how debilitating bad days are. Only you can advocate your experience with asthma, so don't hold back.

All the best.

[Patk1]

I'd have a think about how work can help you eg is it possible to work ,eg part time frm home whn you are recovering

[Pipsqueak77]

Hi Mayneffy

Just to say that seeing the occupational health specialists at my work has been incredible. Like you I was initially very worried about what would happen and was fearful for my job. But it couldn’t have been more different. I wasn’t even singled out because of a poor sickness record… it was just a yearly work health check up that was escalated.

I had several meetings and assessments over 18 months or so with some really great asthma specialists that I wouldn’t have got to see through the nhs. They took information from my GP, secondary and tertiary asthma teams and went through all the information throughly. I was even seen at the Royal Brompton to rule out occupational asthma.

There was no expense spared and they were all very kind and professional.

Anyway, the outcome was a large report to my employer, saying how poorly my asthma could make me, that it was in fact covered by the Disability Act and a whole raft of recommendations for my workplace to put in place. I even have a nebuliser at work now ( I already had one at home so approved for me to use) which makes life much easier for me. I also have additional sick leave approved without question and can work from home if I feel it necessary. Yearly meetings also keep a track of how I’m doing with HR and if any improvements can be made.

Sorry for the long post but my point is that it might be a game changer for you - try not to worry too much and as Poobah mentions, be honest and open with them. Occupational health are on your side and you might be surprised at how much they can help.

🤞🤞 it goes well 😊

[Gareth57]

Hi, this may not be a recommended course of action but my last manager always sounded doubtful when I called to say my asthma was playing up to the point where I rang a taxi and went to see him. It didn't take long for him to say "get yourself home and come back when you can talk and breath"

[Mayneffy in reply to Gareth57]

My manager has said she has no doubts that I am genuinely ill, but the process has to be followed

[Poobah in reply to Mayneffy]

That's very disappointing, but now you know where the manager is coming from and maybe their honesty will spur you to use occupational health to verify the impact asthma can have on you when you have a virus or chest infection. Tell OH what your manager said about your asthma and they have doubts about unwell it can make you and the time it takes to recover. And I would be honest about how stressful and frustrating that is doubt is for you. They can address that in their report if you raise it, and help the manager appreciate the condition.

All the best!

[Bronchi1]

The Equality Act is key. My asthma and bronchiectasis were covered under that. Thete are certain things an employer has to do.

[Poobah in reply to Bronchi1]

Totally agree, the Equality Act is very important in terms of providing legal protection in the workplace.

[Mayneffy]

Further update, had occupational health assessment

Had this yesterday, to be fair it was a bit intimidating as there was two doctors in the room, one assessing the other, but also asking his own questions. I did emphasis my triggers eg viral infections and the impact the added anxiety is causing to my asthma. They said that my asthma is 'probably' covered under the disability act but they are doctors not lawyers. Anyway it's just waiting for the report now.