Hi - I have just been diagnosed with the early stages of COPD - I am 44 - how do I notify my employer - what do I need to say?

[wendy123]

[Hidden]

Just communicate what you have said here, speak with your doc first though. Your employer will likely wanting to know how this will affect your ability to work at the current time.

If you are early stages you may well be able to continue working for some time, check with your doctor to see if he thinks you are fit for work. Check with the BLF helpline to get all the information to help you manage your symptoms and the precautions you can take to help preserve your lungs further.

Stopping smoking and avoiding passive smoking is the best you can do for yourself. If your work environment is dealing with toxic chemicals, or you are working in an environment where dust of any kind is present you may want to consider a change in occuption.

Good wishes

[Hidden]

Hi Wendy and welcome to the club. When I was first diagnosed I first learned what I could about the disease then sat down with my boss and explained it fully. He was very understanding and when I had to go to pulmonary rehab I was paid in full. As you will now be partially disabled your employer has legal obligations towards you. More can be read here:

direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpe...

Above all stay positive

[tanyamarie]

Hello Wendy and welcome,

Just be open and honest and very important-realistic, with your employer. Hopefully they should be very supportive and encouraging. Hope all goes well x

[Wiggins]

Hello Wendy

I was diagnosed in April with v.mild COPD and Asthma. When I told my boss I was still in surprise with it. In retrospect I should have waited and collated information to pass on to him. I just took him to one side and informed him, I didn't give him any info or anything other than the name of the disease COPD and that I had C.Bronchitis and Asthma. I don't know if it's true but a colleague of mine told me that he went back to his office and looked it up on the Web. He's never asked me anything about it or mentioned it to me or anyone else since.

[wendy123]

Thank you all - I have now researched a little and notified my employer in writing - I have stated that at this point I do not require any reasonable adjustments to be paid to my working environment - but that I will keep them informed - I also ordered some leaflets and DVD off BLF - which I will be passing on to my employers so they have a full understanding.

Thanks again