Work and endo

[Kellt]

Hi again

I have a quick question about your employers...

I work for the NHS, Im currently being diagnosed with endo and awaiting laparoscopy. I have had 3 days off with my endo symptoms in total, one cycle 2 days and one cycle 1 day.

I have been told if I have anymore time off I will need to go before panel.

(I also fractured my ankle about 6m ago and had 6 weeks off) so it's 3 periods of sickness.

My question is, do you workplaces recognise endo as a chronic illness? I was advised by a union that it "periods are cyclical, all childbearing women have them and endo can not be classed as a chronic illness as it's cyclical"

I struggle with tiredness but just put it down to being bush and having hectic life at times..

A colleague of mine has had a sore throat for 3 weeks and been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and her sickness is being managed differently as it's "Chronic" and she will not require to be seen before a panel, regardless of the 6 episodes.

[Hidden]

Endo is a chronic disease - because there is no cure. And symptoms are not just cyclical, I have pain 2 weeks out of every month, i used to have pain 24/7 before 2 surgeries and a miracle IVF pregnancy.

No, endo is NOT cyclical it is a chronic disease. Talk to Endo UK who may have some fact sheets to help.

Who is this crap Union - they need to be talked to urgently. I will happily call them for you. idiots they are..

How dare they put you in front of a panel because you suffer from the cruel disease.

[Kellt in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the response...

My manger and colleagues just think I'm taking the mick I think. I was extremely regular for about 9 months where my period fell on a Friday evolving to Saturday and Sunday over time. This was great for me as I was generally at home when I felt the worst, mostly the day after I came on which meant I could manage the pain and vowels at home etc....

but now it's in the week it's though to manage the symptoms while at work hence the few days off.

I was going to self refer to occupational health to inquire about the chronic status and discuss sickness in relation to surgery coming up but discouraged to speak to them and wait until I have another period of sickness.

The unison stance was a verbal response from a union rep on ringing the local office.

[ccsmith]

I feel your pain I'm NHS as well and I had similar issues. My one work colleague who was also a friend told me it's just a period and man up!!! Really upset me as made me feel like i was a big wimp. Occupational health were great with me and smoothed it over. I would make an OPA and talk to them, get some consultant letters and if necessary ask them to write a letter stating symptoms/issues. I was lucky after my Lap & coil my symptoms ease to manageable at work. Good Luck it's not fun xx

[Kellt in reply to ccsmith]

Thanks for this, I will make an appt with OH although when I mentioned it to my manager she seemed reluctant for me to go.

Can I ask, have you been granted this elusive "chronic illness" dispensation or whatever they do when you have a chronic illness?

Yes, I too have had that said to me a few times alongside, my periods are terrible but I just get on with it. My deputy manager is more understanding as her best friend has endo so she knows how bad it can get.

It's so frustrating to get people to understand

[MaryLou11]

I work for the civil service, and asked to be referred to occupational health too, as although my manager was sympathetic he didn’t seem to grasp the severity of the condition. OH have classed the condition as a disability under the disability discrimination act (which still applies in Northern Ireland) as it’s long term (chronic) and significantly affects ability to perform regular tasks. They have requested reasonable adjustments be made for me, and that sickness leave relating to the condition be disregarded.

I definitely recommend you push for the OH referral, or self refer if you can. Employment law is there to protect us from unfair treatment, which you’re being subjected to at the minute.

Good luck! x