work

[Madge01]

I have just been told I've got copd and I work on checkout I retire next year can I retire before on ill health or do i have to carry on working.I feel really tired after my 5 hour shift can you advise me please

[diesel12]

to be honest it depends on how you are and your companies policy. I am just going through this at the moment and I need to have occupational health recommend medical retirement they will also write to my doctor to get their opinion, they'll then send a report to my company who will then put it before the board for approval. It's long and drawn out with no guarantee of success. The time it's taking you may be retired before it's done lol! The only other choice is to choose to leave. I don't know if you get a company pension which may help you decide but I'm not sure how you would stand with benefits. Good luck with whatever you decide x

[Madge01 in reply to diesel12]

I work on checkouts in Asda and the smells when I walk in make me cough im going to see doctor on Monday for some advice thanks for your comment I appreciate your advice

[Knicho]

I'll health retirement usually has to be agreed by the occ health team if you have one at your company and is based on you being too ill to ever work again. I doubt whether you feeling really tired will mean they would allow it. They might try and make adjustments for you like making your shifts shorter or giving you more breaks etc but I don't think ill health retirement would be an option? Others may know otherwise? X

[Madge01]

ok thanks for that your probably right I retire next march so probably have to grin and bear it till then

[Pmb6 in reply to Madge01]

I was ill last year and off 5 mths. Left like I'd never be right. Asked to retire early I was 58 at time. SB was terrible, couldn't walk, talk etc without gasping! Occi health was supportive but saw Consultant who said no need to retire continue to work. I was flabbergasted!

But, 12 months on I'm so glad I did. My lungs are not so bad with right medication. My colleagues are so supportive of me. I have great fun at work and I'm even taking a client away on holiday soon. My low mood has lifted and life feels so precious to me and with limits, I'm enjoying being this healthy again.

I do get tired easily, but when I do I rest! I sleep good some nights, some nights have 4 hours if lucky! Think a side effect to drugs!

I retire officially in 6 years! Aged 66. But with healthy eating moderate exercise and luck, I'll have many years happy retirement!!!

Good luck with continuing to work, but if you know you can't, seek help to retire asap!

Breathe happy!!?

[WheezyAnne]

I was medically retired a few years ago. Your condition needs to be such that you are not able to do not only your current job, but any job.. it is a long drawn out process, as diesel12 and Knicho say. Took around 6 months, but it is very stressful.

[katieoxo60]

Hello Madge01, if you are due to retire early next year I would just try to drag it out. Because employers are not really allowed to decide on early retirement without others input, which takes for ever. You can retire if you have the means to live on or the doctor is willing to say your unfit to continue working. Good luck what ever you decide.

[Madge01]

thanks for your comment im going to the doctors on Monday so I will see what she says im new to this so I haven't got a clue to expect going forward I used to smoke many years ago but stopped 10 years ago the nurse is going to give me a blue inhaler which I will learn how to use it.

[sunnyday22]

Hi from my experience as a manager please don't resign let your employer take the lead as you will get more from your employer if they terminate your contract on medical grounds.

[Madge01]

this year I've been more off work than in work with chest infection and bronchitis I only work 18 hours a week and im off again with breathing difficulties so I haven't told work I've got copd so they might do something for me I didn't know whether to ring them and let them know what's going on.

[gingermusic]

Hi Madge I use to work for Asda and they were brilliant with me, I was advised to go long term sick which I did with sick notes from my GP and eventually after a good six months or so somebody from Asda came to see me and at that point we discussed me leaving work and taking early retirement which is what i did. My pension was sorted out and it all went very well so i wish you all the luck in the world.

[Madge01]

that sounds really good I think I shall have to ring my people person who as been brilliant with me thanks for your advice