Occupational Health in the workplace

[Purple2306]

Hi there,

I am awaiting my diagnostic lap (previously been cancelled twice) and in the run up to the second cancellation I was really poorly with increased pelvic pain and nerve pain. After being signed off work for a few weeks with what gp thought was nerve pain caused by endo; I was actually diagnosed with shingles at a and e, brought on by being run down and stressed. I am currently off work quite poorly with shingles and once I am well enough I will have my lap booked back in. I have only been off for 3 days but doctors envisage me being off for 4-6 weeks just from the shingles. I told my employer this who assured me that I must feel well before I return but also informed me that “once my rash has crusted over I am allowed back as she knows how much I was looking forward to the upcoming year and the challenges it brings” - quite passive aggressive I think. Today she has informed me that she had referred me to occupational health. I am not sure if this is for the shingles/endometriosis but should I be worried? I have never had a sick note/been off for more than a few days so am unsure as to what to expect?

Any experiences that you can share would be great.

Thanks!

[EndoEffect]

Hi Purple,

I have been signed off work in the past a couple of times. One workplace referred me to occupational health. It’s just an appointment with an occupational therapist to discuss what struggles you are facing and what adjustments your workplace could make to help you. My advice would be to try your best to forget about work and focus on yourself and look after yourself. I always used to feel so guilty and anxious when I was signed off because I felt awful for not being there and worried about being unfairly judged by colleagues and bosses etc. In reality, none of that was in my control and worrying and feeling bad about it just made me feel worse. You have been signed off for a reason: to rest and recover. That is all you need to think about right now. In my experience, some workplaces can be arsey, negative, passive aggressive and unfair when it comes to people being signed off sick, but others can be tremendously supportive, kind and caring. Just remember, you need to put yourself and your health first. Always. X

[BrightLights88 in reply to EndoEffect]

I agree, and learnt this. Your health comes first and you must focus on recovery and rest.

Do you know how I can refer myself to occupational health through work self service? As I refused it first time round because my work place was trying to refer me whilst I was at my normal strength and not when i was having my bad flare up. I didnt want to be assessed when I am at my best what good would that show?

[Fwright44 in reply to BrightLights88]

Yes it is very important to be assessed at bad time. I got a assessed one, just 8 weeks after a lap and every time I was sick for nearly a year I was told I didn't have a disability

[Purple2306 in reply to EndoEffect]

Thank you for your reply. It’s taken me a long time but I am learning to listen and take that time, especially when told shingles was caused by stress.

[Fwright44]

Hi Hopefully the occupational health referral is to understand how best to support you.

I would be very worried of phone call assessment, because they are normally very scripted, like when you ring 111 so don't help you at all - generally. Much better face to face meeting.

If you can work from home that might be useful. Make a diary of each day of his you feel, so you can document what you are going through. The period tracker apps can be useful for that.

Also union's can be very useful, when you have disabling medical conditions. One rep told me that HR's she had come across are nearly legal, always tow the side of the company. Take care, any further questions let us know

[luthien]

I agree with all the above.

The only addition I would make is quite often with workplaces it's the small self certified absences of a few days a few times a year which cause more disruption to work and schedules / planning than signed off.

Your workplace isn't able to advise medically when you should be back in; that's up to a doctor. So firstly if your GP says you may be off 4 to 6 weeks the best thing would be to go back to your doctor and explain how work is being difficult and wants you back in as soon as possible and you'd like a sick note. Hopefully they'll give you one, mine always has if it's over 4 days.

Work has to pay attention to a sick note, so you'll be able to just focus on relaxing and getting better. Also with sick note it's certified so doesn't count towards your sick days, which definitely helps.

Occupational health - is advice probably on your endo; you'll discuss symptoms, days off, operations, medication and how it affects you. They write a report suggesting how work could help, like flexible working / work from home, reduced hours, and work can decide if they agree with it.

I'd suggest the sick note from your GP, get yourself signed off then just see how things go. Don't worry too much about the Occuapational health thingy.

x