Been of work since September Due to this disease what next-head office appointment

[Afrohair]

I’ve had a letter this morning explaining my absences from work is concerning since my misscarrige in September I haven’t been back and was figuring out why I was still in pain everyday after I now know I have endometriosis 95% certain the specialist said.but how do I explain this to head office and people at work they want to know if I’m returning to work .the problems I have are standing for long hours and lifting gives me more pain.life has crept up on me this year I really don’t want to be out of a job but I know I’m not well.but how do I explain it when you can’t physically see this illness .do I go back?ask for shorter hours I’m already part time but 3 full days a week.i can’t really explain my feelings but I feel slightly depressed as well at the thought of it all.my sick note just says I have abdominal pain under investigation really don’t know what to do

[AllthatGlitters]

Do you work for a big organisation ?

As you have been off sick, they should have sent you to occupational health for an independent assessment. This allows the nurse conducting it to ask you about your illness, how it effects your life, what adjustments could be made such as shorter days, longer breaks, sitting more often etc).

HR usually then have a meeting with you after they have received the health assessment with the recommendations. I would suggest you join a union for support and don’t go to meetings on your own.

You don’t have to tell your work colleagues anything, it’s nothing to do with them. What is discussed in meetings with your boss should never be fed back to your colleagues. It’s upto you what you tell them.

I have a lot of experience in this field as I was treated very badly / discriminated against for being ill.

Don’t take nonsense. Stand up to your employer but always ensure you have someone to accompany you to any meeting as this is evidence and there are always 2 or more managers including HR. They don’t sit alone, so don’t you sit alone.

I am very ill at the moment and I couldn’t manage work, trying to get benefits. Have you tried?

Xx

[Afrohair in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Hiya it’s head office two managers have said they are visiting my home at 11 they said it’s not disciplinary and I can have a chaperone at my own home?its quite a big organisation they have said nothing on a health assessment

[Afrohair in reply to Afrohair]

I’m on sick pay at the minute not sure how benefits will go down been down that route for illness before and it never worked for me they always say your able bodied as I’m not under their eyes officially diagnosed either can’t see how it would help unless I got a doctors note I guess

[Afrohair in reply to Afrohair]

Just looked again they have said it’s a welfare visit and to discuss my current situation and any adjustments that we may be able to consider to support you in the hope you are able to return to work in the future

[Afrohair in reply to Afrohair]

They want to discuss any short to mid term plans

[luthien]

Oh no

Can you talk to your specialist to write up a letter to your work explaining what you have been through and what to expect / what work you can do. It may cost a little bit, but that really helped my work when in a similar situation.

Work cannot force you to come back nor can they say they think you should be okay. So you really need a specilaists letter.

Do you have Occupational Health through work? If so you can contact work to say you would like an OH meeting, they have a doctor talk to you and write a report to advise work on what they can do to help.

Are you a member of UNITE, if so then you can talk to them to advise you on what / how to approach work. If you then have a meeting with work they can come with you. If you aren't a member you can sign up but I think you only have telephone advice for 14 days then you can have a representative to meet in person / attend meetings.

[Afrohair in reply to luthien]

All I’ve had is this letter asking on my plans to come to work think it’s rather cheeky they have said there coming to my house.they could have arranged it at work.guess they thought I’m to I’ll to leave thing is it’s the long hour standing and to look at me people think I’m ok .i really don’t know what work has in regards to any other support I’m thinking to see if they will let me do sundays as I work in retail and sundays are quiet I really want to make plans to move forward but always feel like things are holding me back I obviously need to have a lap and all that stuff but not been able to see g.p yet .does the letter from a specialist cost a lot of money .its getting me so down all this stuff my partner thinks it’s not a good idea to go back my sick note runs out on the 5th feb

[luthien in reply to Afrohair]

mine cost £20, so wasn't too bad, considering it helped massively

[Purplewitch18]

Sorry youve got this to deal with aswel! Can you take in the letter from the specialist and one from your dr explaining why youre off?xx

[Afrohair in reply to Purplewitch18]

I’m thinking I will show it all to them when they will come or email it over it’s all becoming quite exhausting just one thing after another x

[Purplewitch18 in reply to Afrohair]

Yes i know how you feel its just more stress. You need to show them everything because thats your proof that you are off for a really good reason. Also id get a letter from the dr explaining your mental health right now too, i.e. the stress and emotions of it all. That in itself is a reason to be off work xx

[Afrohair in reply to Purplewitch18]

Thankyou I’m just waiting for the letter from the specialist to arrive I thought it would have turned up now then want to make sure I’ve got someone to come to the g.p with me my partner works 4on 4 off so we will book an appointment on his off day.as don’t want any kind of fobbing of once I get there.I keep thinking of ways to distract my mind from other things and go with the flow but then I just get these horrible depressive thoughts and it can switch me off for a good 20mins or so I have to do something to distract myself.

[Purplewitch18 in reply to Afrohair]

I know you are kind of in limbo right now and its not a nice place to be. Good idea to take your partner, especially of your gp is a man. Ive only ever had one who was sypathetic and thats cuz his wife has it. I know its really hard, but at least you are getting there slowley, seeing the private consultant was the best thing you couldve done because now you cant be fobbed off. So keep focused on getting the lap done, and then you can take it from there. Just think, tomorrow is a new day xx

[Afrohair in reply to Purplewitch18]

Thankyou!thinking of you too at this hard time.how are you feeling today ?x

[Purplewitch18 in reply to Afrohair]

Thankyou hunny. Im not good to be honest. Getting over the bladder infection but now i have a gum infection and thrush from the antibiotics! I feel so ill and run down its rubbish x

[Afrohair in reply to Purplewitch18]

Oh I’m so sorry hope it clears up soon x hugs