I’m a 53 year old, diagnosed with CLL in November last year and almost 10 months in to my treatment which appears to be going ok.
Taking Venetoclax and hopefully finished next month.
I was off work during the initial treatment and returned in May. On return my employer was cautious around my completing my full range of duties but after some insistence and reassurance to the Haematologist I was able to ‘pull my weight’ once more.
I work in a large government organisation in a sprawling, ageing environment. I returned to my old office which is clean and tidy and as other parts of my working day are in the open air dealing with people I felt comfortable regard social distancing.
I’ve had two occasions since my treatment started where my immunity has dropped and I’ve found my self in hospital on IV antibiotics.
So here’s my concern, my manager is asking me to relocate offices to oversee a group of staff I directly manage, that part I’m fine with and it makes more sense. However the office he wants me to use had a rat problem some months ago and was stripped out, pest control dealt with the issue, as well as they can and it has been left unused since.
My manager stated that he will have it deep cleaned but regardless I find my initial instinct is one of incredulity, asking a person with a compromised immune system to work from an office thst no one can ultimately be sure is sterile (or certainly rat free).
I’d add that the office and its surrounding building are due for demolition next year after a more modern alternative is built.
I can’t help but feel undervalued, a local cancer support charity told me that whilst I look physically the same people will forget my underlying health concerns.
Am I right to be concerned? Apologies for the lengthy back ground.
Regards
PPT 184
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PPT184
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You certainly have given me a few ideas and I will look into them.
I do feel rather deflated though, psychologically it’s left me questioning my value… but then again I’m a civil servant. I could be facetious around ‘what did I expect’ 🤣
I wonder at the need for such a move now when another move will be needed in a year for the new facility. Is the office you have now needed for another use?
If you have supervised the same group from the office you are in, has that caused a problem because of distance from the group? Is there a problem to be solved by the temporary move?
Can you efficiently supervise the group as it stands? I assume all has gone well for the time you have been where you are. Is there a need for you to leave the office and walk through other groups of other workers to get to your group? It would seem your wearing a mask would be needed then but also needed when you are near the group you supervise.
Is there noise from the group you supervise because those workers need to walk a distance to get to your office? Not knowing the work you are in--is there complaint about time-loss because of the distance factor?
Management often makes its decisions on unshared specifics.
It can feel like you are just so much "cattle" being moved about. I hope you can ask your questions and get some understanding if you can't stay where you are for this year before the move to a new facility and I hope you can feel better about the situation.
I don't see that your boss is intentionally undervaluing you, probably more ignorant than careless, and I'm sure if you properly voice your ongoing concerns you'll be listened to, at least. What about asking your haematologist for an opinion and maybe a letter if necessary, explaining your needs?
If the room has been treated for infestation and will be deep-cleaned, you're probably safe enough. There are rats hiding out everywhere! Just ensure there is nothing left lying around to attract them, and use peppermint oil regularly as a deterrent (rats hate peppermint).
Certainly you civil servants are highly valued by most of society, though you seem to be regular scapegoats these days. Stay well and safe.
It really is difficult not to feel undervalued but I do think people forget or don’t appreciate the issues around immunity when you generally look ok. They can’t see how I lack the energy I once had or become breathless more easily.
I just think that knowingly being asked to work from an office that an infestation can only go wrong.
Thank you all for your kind words and understanding
Yes, I rather agree with “Potplant,” that a letter from your hematologist/oncologist might be of use in this matter. I have become acutely aware of how unaware most people are, regarding the specific hygienic needs of one who is autoimmune compromised. Also, as I am 20 years older than you, I should share with you that it is not uncommon to feel less and less relevant in one’s workplace, as one enters his/her 50s. We are just moving on through our journey here on Earth. The younger generations emerge and eventually replace us. Be at peace, and best wishes with this new glitch in your work life.
I am in a similar situation with my wife who thinks my concern over rapid CLL relapse and Covid risks are "anxiety based" and tossed most precaution out the window, so I've chosen to live alone in our condo 300 miles away.
There are a few things you could consider for your work.
1. Do you wear a high quality mask? As a doc, I have done a lot of research to come up with the very best protection.
2. for $600 I purchased a portable air scrubber that removes 98% of virus particles in a space of about 3000 square feet.
3. I bring my own hand sanitizer, cholorox or alcohol wipes or lysol to clean my own work space.
Cleanairstars is an organisation that provides advice about ways to improve indoor air quality, including a directory of air filters to help you choose and compare products.
It provides a tool that “helps recommend how many of the available models of portable air cleaners at different fan speeds will be required to meet current recommendations to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2 in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.This is a non-profit public service that receives no commission for sales of any goods or services mentioned on this site.”
It is difficult to not be overly concerned about everything, once you receive the diagnosis. It sounds like the office will be cleaned as best as possible. Sounds like your supervisor is going to get that done. But with CLL or without CLL, who wants to work in an office that was previously rat infested. Maybe having the pest control come for another inspection and treatment might make you feel more at ease. It might not be that your supervisor is being cruel, they might not understand what you have been through, and your immune status. Maybe try talking to them one more time, to see if something could be worked out. But really the office could be perfectly fine. It would give me a little bit of the creeps though. In all reality, I would be more concerned about the office ventilation and what the people around you are exhaling. In fact, maybe invest in a good hepa filter for your office, and plenty of bleach wipes. Good luck PPT184.
Hi PPT184. I know exactly where you are coming from! The Civil Service, whilst not generally meaning to be unkind, follows a set of rules and procedures that are not questioned unless you ask them too. It depends on your line manager to what extent they will consider all angles without you pushing back further of course. I would inititially ask for an informal meeting and raise all your (very valid) concerns but make sure it is documented or recorded using Teams or a note taker. If you are in the union then ask your rep to be present and for advice beforehand. If you are not in the union then it is is a really good idea to join! You should also have recourse to ask for an Occupational Health referral via your line manager. They will discuss everything with you and can help by making recommendations to your managers as appropriate. They have been really supportive to many in our situation. I hope that helps and wish you the best of luck.
Hi. As you may have gathered, I am also a civil servant. I'm currently off sick but due to my concerns about working in an office in the current climate and with severe immunosuppression I advised my line manager that I was not happy on my eventual return to work to give up working from home (as organised by my department during Covid). They referred my case to Occupational Health who were really helpful and understood my concerns when I had a tele meeting with them. They have recommended that for the forseeable future I work from home and do not attend an office and they pointed out that this is not solely due to Covid but also to my increased risk of infection in general. My manager's are happy with this for now. I am currently on V and R but OHS understood CLL risks overall. If need be, you could perhaps go down this route too? I also got nowhere much when I asked the union for advice as they said there was little they can do until something adverse actually happens. I hope it all turns out well for you.
Excellent reply from Shefflass, and my late husband was a civil servant and his health issues were always dealt with in a sympathetic way. But as you mentioned being in hospital with infections and I wonder if you have had your iG levels tested. With the current NHS rules you are eligible for IVIG after two episodes of an infection being treated with antibiotics. This treatment may reassure some of your worries.
They are igG, igA and igM the antibodies in your blood and if they are low that could be why you are getting infections. Ask your Haematologist to check for them next time you speak to them. Do you get copies of your blood tests ?
I am due to collect my next 28 days worth of tablets on Friday, I think I’ll ask the opinion of nurses and try to put my concerns to the haematologist and see what her opinion is.
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