Working with emphysema : Hi all, I'm... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,326 members66,958 posts

Working with emphysema

Nanapenny profile image
5 Replies

Hi all, I'm hoping someone can give me some advise. I I work as a carer in the community and have mild emphysema. When I was diagnosed, I went to my employers and explained the state of play. My job entails waiting around in my car, sometimes over an hour, to go in to my next client. I explained that I could no longer do this, as it was affecting my health, it isn't good for me to sit around in the cold and that I didn't want to work beyond 8pm. They were good and agreed. This week, however, they have gone back to their old ways with me. Tomorrow, for example, my last client is at 8.45pm and the client before is 7.30pm, so I have an hour to sit around. I tried to hand the client back but they said I'd got to do it. We have to give our employer our availability. So it's not within my availability times.

Do I have any rights, can I refuse to do it?

Also, I am having my gallbladder out in a couple of weeks and had to book time off for that. I just wonder if they are trying to get me to leave.

Anybody got any advise?

Written by
Nanapenny profile image
Nanapenny
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
5 Replies
y_not profile image
y_not

Hi,

Your employment rights regarding "reasonable adjustments" are clearly laid out here citizensadvice.org.uk/work/... .

"Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010. You're disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities." (Long term = lasting more than six months).

Make sure you have informed your employer, in writing (an email/letter or even a text), of your condition and the reasons why you are asking for the changes. You only need to go into the "top-level" detail of your disability (worth remembering if you have any embarrassing side effects).

Seems like your employer followed the guidelines ... until now. I suggest you write to them and explain how this change they have made is impacting on your condition and request that they revert back to the working patterns previously offered. It could simply be an error, someone else is doing the work rotas etc, so keep it pleasant and polite (with no subtle threats) - give them a chance to rectify the situation before using legal terms (reasonable adjustments / Equality Act etc) which could upset them if this is a genuine error on their part.

Post back if they ignore you

Good luck

Nanapenny profile image
Nanapenny in reply toy_not

Thank you I will certainly look at that. I knew there were places I could find out my rights, but my brain is a bit mush at the moment. So thank you.

..you have already explained your health situation to them weeks ago as you said and they were supportive to you why change the goal posts your health hasn't changed so why should your workload .I would call ACAS or if your in a union consult with them to gain specific information regarding your situation good luck Angie xxx

Nanapenny profile image
Nanapenny in reply to

Thank you, I never thought about Ava's.

Nanapenny profile image
Nanapenny in reply toNanapenny

Sorry, that's acas. Thanks

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

advice please coping with relative with severe emphysema

Hi my mum has sever emphysema, she lives alone at home and is really struggling.She cant walk more...

emphysema

Hi, my name is Darlene i`m 48 and I was diagnose with emphysema about 6 months ago and scarde, I...
dardy125 profile image

Emphysema

Hi, i joined this group a few months ago. I was diagnosed Dec '21 after being hospitalised because...
Zand60 profile image

Bullae Emphysema

Hi just to give you all an update, I had my Lung examination today and had a consultation with a...
1968 profile image

Working with COPD

I`ve been diagnosed with copd for the past 8 years, gave up smoking then and have managed to work...
SusieQs profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.