No support

[hp24]

Hii girlies

Looking for some advice, I work in a garage as a mechanic an work every long days, Iv spoken to hr a while ago an occupational health my employer has been advised that I should take extra breaks and sometimes leave early or come in late.

Yet my employer doesn’t seem to accept this and when I do take 5 minutes or say am having a bad day he calls me lazy an says am putting it on.

I never want to loose my job as Iv worked so hard to get where I am An to be taken seriously. I really don’t no what else I can possibly do to show I am in pain even tho they can’t see it.

Any advice

Thanks xxxx

[luthien]

Oh dear, it's awful when employers don't listen.

There's a really good leaflet on the Endometriosis UK page, I printed it off and gave it to my manager and HR. They've kept it and found it useful, it also helped me to know where I stand. Endometriosis in the Workplace. You can find it at:

endometriosis-uk.org/public...

It'll give all the info for the person managing you, and what they can do to support you, including where you and the employer stand legally.

Definitely print that off and give it to them, also have a read yourself.

Occupational health has advice they can give to HR but unfortunately HR doesn't need to stick to it. You can talk to your specialist and get them to write a letter explaining your symptoms (it may cost a little); mine did that and it helped support my case. My letter says that "even though she's had surgery endometriosis is an ongoing condition and at times she may feel tired, her symptoms which include intense cramping, headaches dizziness may require her to work reduced hours especially around her menstruation, she will try to manage this with over the counter painkillers but at times may need to take sick leave." Something of the sorts, a bit more medical though.

I've found it helps if managers have family especially male ones as they'll be aware of periods, cycles etc so will be okay with the idea of bad days and act more mature towards it. Being honest actually helps too as in not just a headache, go into detail relating it to time of the month, sometimes that helps as people accept it and move on lol! It shouldn't be something we hide away from we should just be able to talk about it like any other condition eg irritable bowel, so I just talk now!

[Christin_a]

Hello after your occurred report did you sit down with your employer and go through and agree what provisions would be put in place? As they do have to agree exactly what amendments they as a company can work with whilst still supporting you. Just because it's on the occupational health report does not mean they have to do those things as they are suggestions only at that point.

[hp24 in reply to Christin_a]

Well when asked my boss said he had read the report an agreed to it but also said it’s not his problem really, he never wanted to talk about it as it was “embarrassing”

[Christin_a in reply to hp24]

Do you have anything in writing saying he agreed to the suggestions in the report? If so remind him that he's agreed to it. Did your report say it considered it to be a disability under the Equality Act. Or just that you have a condition that may require some adjustments.