Copd at work.

Like most people on here I can relate to their problems with family and work issues. When I told my wife she went into what I call defense moad and said, well my back has been playing up to day. My son just said oh you will get better soon. At work I asked for a meeting and tried to explaine it to my bosses and told them of the issues I was having and will have, I thought they were listening and they started too after I told them to stop answering the bloody phone while we were talking but I felt like I was banging my head on the wall. Then at the end of the meeting they said oh don't forget to move that furniture to the top floor my the end of the day, I thought why have I even fxxxxxxxx bothered.

[sassy59]

People generally don't and can't understand Mick. I didn't really get what was wrong with Pete (sarcoidosis and COPD) until he became worse and l took it all more seriously.

With work you could put it all in a letter or email and explain that you need lighter duties and cannot move furniture around. Is there another job you could do within your company. Good luck to you. Xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Unfortunately there is not another job I can do as I am the maintenance supervisor in a 64 bedroom hotel. Plus I am the only one. They are too tight to employ any one else but I might start to take some time off with stress and force them to start listening to me. I have already told them that the health and safety exec recognize copd as a disability , so I have covered my self against any discrimination .

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Good for you and hope they start listening. Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mick how silly of them. Because they know now of your illness they should be making 'reasonable adjustments for you' such as more sick leave available, extra breaks etc. If possible they should move you to lighter duties. They have a duty of care towards you under the Health and Safety Act at Work. However RA's are always subject to 'business needs' and this takes priority. They should also be sending you to occupational health for their opinion, but they haven't got to take it,

The situation is that if you take too much time off work whether you are covered under the Disability Discrimination Act or not, and whether you always have a sick note, they can still legally dismiss you. They don't say this is because of illness but because you are breaking your contract by not being in work.

However if they do dismiss you or constructively make you leave then you have the right to take them to tribunal (this used to be free but is now charged) and if they haven't followed the H and S act then you might be reinstated or compensated. If you lost the case though they could pursue you for costs.

I have been through this with my last employer when I was dismissed. I understand what you are saying but think carefully before you take sick leave, x

[jjnanna in reply to Hidden]

Get a doctors letter stating what you can and can't do x

[wooo in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mick63,

yes you do have a disability .You will be covered by the 2010 disability act which means you employer has to make reasonable adjustments .

Have you got occupational Health representative that will give you an assessment and make recommendations.

you can take time off work if you feel unwell and unable to cope .This time off will be connected to your disability so should not be classed as a sickness if you have a stage process at work relating to how many sicknesses you have before being given a warning your disability should not count.

unfortunately COPD is an invisible disability that is not always acknowledged .

Are you a member of a union such as unite ? they may be able to help.

you can call acas their phone number is 03002592889.

Hope you find this information helpful

woo

[onamission]

Bloody disgusting you are at your most vulnerable working in a office.

It is difficult for family's to understand what really p****s me off is when we are out I'm fighting to get my breath the old man is miles up ahead then he turns round and says you should of said how the bloody hell do you talk when you can't breath, that's why this site is fantastic everyone on hear understands.