Endometriosis in the Workplace.

[leke]

Hi, what are my rights in the workplace, as someone with endometriosis? I am asking for reasonable adjustments to work from home to help me better manage my endometriosis. The nearest office to me, is 4 hours away, and they are saying they are not supporting home workers anymore, I have been a home worker for over 12 years. So they are making me redundant citing location issues. Can they do this as I would not be able to travel 8 hours a day with endometriosis? Travelling makes my endometriosis worst, does anyone know why travelling flares up endometriosis? Can stress flare up endometriosis?

[Hazeybabes]

I struggle travelling my commute is 4 hrs a day and have had to take some time out this year while waiting for my next operation x been off for over 6 months now.

Endometriosis is covered by the equality act. But they are not making you redundant on the grounds of ill health.

If you have occupational health team contact them and find out if you have any rights. Seems strange to support home workers for 12 years and then to stop suddenly. On the other hand, is it worth fighting to stay with a company who are moving away from a supportive environment? Speak to HR team who should be able to advise you around counter proposals etc x

Good luck

[lekeendo in reply to Hazeybabes]

Thanks Hazeybabes , yeah its a cost-cutting thing they are doing so they are trying to get rid of whoever, which isn't nice. I will speak with OH and contact a solicitor and see what my rights are, I didn't know Endo was covered in the Equality Act, so I will look up on that. Thanks again.

[Hazeybabes in reply to lekeendo]

Yeah has been recognised since 2018 I think x

Good luck

[Lloydandkim2012]

Sorry you are going through this I don’t know the rights at work we have, I have recently discovered that my endometriosis is horrific after travelling for long periods of time. Infact I’ve had to travel a lot this month and for more than 2 days after I’m in chronic pain. I almost went to a&e last night the pain as that horrendous and as a result I’ve had to take another day off work .... sometimes I don’t think people understand.

X

[lekeendo in reply to Lloydandkim2012]

I agree, my employers are the same. They do not seem to think there is anything wrong. I do think the travelling makes it worst, whether is the stress and excessive pressure put on the body that will flare up the endo. This is why endo needs to be recognised as a employee right and help us do our jobs better. If travelling is something we cannot do, then this needs to be law.

[LittleG22]

endometriosis-uk.org/sites/...

Endometriosis UK charity has a helpsheet on employment rights (above) but sounds like you need to speak to an employment lawyer. I believe (but you would have to check with a lawyer) that they are required to make reasonable adjustments for a disability such as not being able to do a long commute. Could be grounds for saying that this is a constructive dismissal as they are arbitrarily stopping you from working from home. Again, see what your lawyer thinks. Unfortunately I think that they have stopped legal aid for employment issues so you may have to pay.

This is some info from the Citizen's advice, maybe they can give you some help: citizensadvice.org.uk/work/...

[lekeendo]

This is really supportive thank you. I agree I think its being forced on me. I shall be contacting a solicitor. I have told the employer that I have had some professional advice and that they need to tread carefully, because I wont be going quietly.