Am I kidding myself....

[Frenchbulldogsx]

So I am back to work part-time but phased return after completion of cardiac rehab. Apparently I found out that one of the grafts is not viable which caused the MI but after a consultation with my surgeon (quad bypass 2017) he reckons that 3 is the usual he just gave me 4 for a better outcome as I'm youngish.

So here's my dilemma, my work have now decided that due to my current oc health report I should be considering redeployment as I cannot match my job specification any more. If within 3 months I am unsuccessful at a placement then I would go to a dismissal hearing! Well talk about furious I mean I had my original heart attack after working extra shifts without breaks. I have lieased with my union rep and he has encouraged me to claim for personal injury and if I cannot get the oc health report overturned (as was a telephone consult) I can take to tribunal. All this has made me feel worthless and I already stress about any twinges or heart occurances now I just feel like I have no future and wonder if I am going to die soon anyway. I know this will sound negative and usually I am a positive person and I know that there are many worse off than me. But I've had 2 heart attacks and I have a damaged heart, but I have pretty much regained my previous level of fitness but I now have Angina. I am being treated medically (Ticagrelor) can anyone offer any pearls of wisdom. By the way I have hereditary heart disease and prior to my first MI I had no symptoms other than high BP which I was taking medication for.

[Sunnie2day]

I'd feel angry, Frenchbulldogsx but I wouldn't let them try making me feel worthless - and you shouldn't either.

I wish I could offer more, better advice but I took early retirement in late 2009 and have lost touch with in-work resources for dealing with issues like you're facing.

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you, anyway. These things are sent to try us.... Many times it seems.

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Frenchbulldogsx. I’m like Sunnie - no pearls of wisdom I’m afraid. And I’d be annoyed too. My advice is to try and stay positive. Your redeployment could work like a dream (what’s to say it won’t) so the dismissal hearing wouldn’t happen. And all of the stress that thinking about it has caused would be wasted effort. Can you get any counselling through work? Some places offer a few telephone sessions. Maybe the Union can offer something? A few sessions of CBT might help you to de stress a bit and help you to manage what is actually happening rather than stressing over things that may never happen. And that’s really what you need to do at the end of the day. It’s great that you’re fit and managing your angina. This understandable additional anxiety isn’t going to help. Good luck.

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Hi thank you I did try cbt online through work, but other than downloading a wellness relaxation clip I found it not relevant to actually being anxious for a reason and have come to the conclusion that a 1-1 session may be more helpful. I will contact them to set it up soon.

[NorthantsSteve in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Yes 1-2-1 is much better. And CBT is very good when there’s a reason. Good luck.

[Hidden]

I understand how you feel. Companies have procedures they follow and sadly these seem to be more important than the people they affect. Work is not everything. If you can get past the money issues, try reducing your days to get a better life work balance. Failing that don't get angry about the processes being followed. I've been there and it changes nothing. The company is within its rights to dispose of you if they feel you can't do the job. It's the result of years of employment rights being eroded. Best thing you can do is stay calm and try to find an alternative. Sorry its not the answer you might want but it's what I've found happens through experience.

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, oh I know. I only work 24 hours anyway and am perfectly capable of fulfilling my job role. Hopefully my face to face with oc health will assess that. Unfortunately my allegiance to the team has gone.... Its every man/woman for themselves.

[Andym1962]

I had a triple and my employers were not at all sympathetic. My advice is this. Treat this as a golden opportunity. Start a new life, a new career. With regards to your employer, I would screw them for every penny you can get. You are only a number. Don't kid yourself, you mean "nothing" to them. Look after yourself and good luck in your new life.

[pjcag]

Of course ,I live in America so our rules may be vastly different...but you don't say your age? Here, if you are over 50, you have protection due to age. Are you sure this isn't an easy way to "get rid" of an aging employee? Here we have a department/method to fight if you feel you're being put out to pasture. You don't say why they feel you're not capable. If that really is a problem, then maybe you can accept that and move on to greener pastures.

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to pjcag]

Hi I'm 53 so too young to retire. I will take to tribunal but its due to the oc health report which says to my employer to implement no physical activities which would stop me completing my job as a support worker. This report was a telephone assessment so hope to get it overturned when I see oc health.

[Joliv61]

Hi, I’d check with your Trades Union rep if you are a member (and join one if not) to see what support and advice they can give. They will usually have covered a scenario like yours before.

Regarding the redeployment, that may work well especially if it avoids any work that may have contributed to your issues in the first place.

It might be worth also checking up on how ill health retirement affects your workplace pension benefits as that could be a decider for you.

Most important though is your health and getting better. 👍👍

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Joliv61]

Hi thank you, I have my union representative to hand. I'll health retirement isn't an option as I may just qualify for a couple of months.

The process of redeployment has to be 3 months and I think highly unlikely that I would find a fit. And because you have agreed to it if it fails you would then move to dismissal hearing.

I'm hoping to get my oc health report overturned as they haven't seen me.

I am fit enough to walk 3 dogs and everything that entails so am definitely able to do my job.

[Joliv61]

Hope all goes well and you get the outcomes you need. 👍.