Does anybody have any experience of working whilst suffering with bronchiectasis I'm in full time employment and have been for six yrs .
I've had lots of time off due to chest infections in the last six months .and have now been told by HR anymore time off in the next three months and it's instant dismissal.
I really don't think it's fair to have to go to work when I'm unwell with a chest infection and I'm out as a field engineer.
I just wondered if anybody else has been in a similar position...
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Jonn54
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13 Replies
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If your employer has actually told you that you will be dismissed for taking more time off when sick I advise you to join a union and start proceedings .Employers should be supportive to ppl with health conditions and try different areas for you to work .Get your occy health involved and your GP .you have a long standing condition that employers should be taking note of ...not threatening dismissal ...hope you get sorted xxx
Hi Jonn54. Angie is right. Bronchiectasis is a long term condition and a disability because it affects your ability to work and you have needs in managing it which must be met by your employer. I am not an expert in employment law but I am sure that you can find help on this. Things have moved on since 1970 when I was threatened with dismissal by a company in Bond Street for having two exacerbations in 6 weeks.
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They were the most horrendous company .I remember working in Frasers in Glasgow (I worked for Edinburgh Crystal at the time) all shops within the shop .The boss from one company was a complete ogre to the staff one of which was my close friend they were ridiculed and shouted at on a daily basis mind you things were different back then ..i will never forget that woman a real old face covered in make up and nails like talons bright ginger coloured hair in a bee hive bun ...oh a memory to be forgotten lol x
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so it was a company wide thing then. I had a friend who worked for them in Harrods at the same time as I was in the salon. She eventually just walked out in tears. You can imagine how it was in the Bond Street with film stars and royalty always coming in. Talk about snobs and bullying. The head of reception was a South African woman as you say, all makeup and talons and her girls refused to speak to the lowly consultants. The deputy manager was a Mias T and ahe was the one who threatened me in front of the whole front of house staff by moving her finger across her throat. Next time you take time off .
x
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Lol sounds like you had a brilliant laugh. I was fine where I worked it was just the perfume and makeup girls that were a coven. I did leave in the end after my boss retired and they didn't replace her she was lovley lady from the Isle of Skye...i went into window dressing that was 1978 misspent youth and bay city rollers 😁😁😉
I was born with bronchial asthma when I was a fortnight old they said I would not survive,and advised my Mother to have me baptised in the hospital, but my mum was always a believer in where there is life there is hope and she proved the doctors wrong as I am an oap now.
when I used to work, I am retired now, I used to work as a PA for a firm of Surveyors and was diagnosed with bronchitectsis, I was in hospital and thought I had received a get well card from my boss the Director and it was a letter saying if I was not out of hospital and back in work by Monday I would be out of a job, that was back in the 70's when they could threaten employees and get away with it, but my then Respiratory Consultant took my case up and won, although no compensation but she secured my job, it did not last long because the firm was taken over by Nationwide and he was sacked, so he got his comupance in the end, but all of my working life, I am now in my 70's I have had so many long spells in hospital due to my respiratory problem and lost so many jobs through it, but I think nowadays it is against the law, if you have told them about your condition when you apply for the job.
Try taking Turmeric tablets twice a day, whether it is all in the mind or not but I find over the last year that I have been taking them it has helped, maybe you could ask your doctor if he could prescribe you with Carbocisteine as that thins the mucus and helps the lungs, I have been on that now for nearly 2 years and it helps me.It has to be built up as it takes a time to take effect. From October to March is my bad time and if I am to die from this condition then those months are my worst ever. A field Engineer not the best job with a respiratory condition but their are miracles happening every day in medical research. I hope things pick up for you. I am a strong believer in Karma what goes around comes around and those employees that are being unkind to you, it will come back to them in a different way.
I have also been taking echinacea tea supposed to strength en immune system.
Does anyone k ow much about lungwort? Supposed to help strengthen your lungs?
Thanks Mel
Hi I presume your employers know about your illness? If so they have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to investigate what action they can take to enable you to stay at work. They need to make Reasonable Adjustments such as extra sick leave, more breaks, even a change of job if possible. These are all however subject to Business Needs.
If they don't make any RA or follow the company procedure for sickness then you have a case to take them to tribunal. Have you checked your work contract to ensure they have followed all the rules? This covers leaving voluntarily as well which could be considered constructive dismissal.
If you have a union it would be a good idea to seek their help. If not then have a look at ACAS (google it) or go to your CAB.
I have been through all this with my previous employers so don't hesitate to either put it on here or pm me if I can help at all.
Thx for that it's good to talk to someone who understands .I will be talking to can and see where I stand .all this threatening with the sack really doesn't help matters ...
Oh I just thought it might be worth telling your doctor what is happening and looking into medical retirement.
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Bronchiectasis prehaps????
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