Hi ladies...I was signed off sick by my Dr the start of the year because my workplace wasn’t being very understanding about my situation, in which I’m awaiting a laparoscopy to determine if I have endo. I was put on a stage 2 disciplinary and was being bullied for the time I had off, and I ended up handing my notice in whilst off sick as I couldn’t face returning. A few weeks ago I started a new job currently working from home which I’m really enjoying and everyone seems lovely, but I’m still nervous to tell them about my current situation. I spoke to the hospital this morning and they are slowly starting the gynae services and surgeries again and I’m near the front of the queue apparently. It may still be a few months wait as they are taking longer than usual, but feel like I need to let work know but I’m unsure how to tell my new manager. They didn’t ask me about any pre existing medical issues when I got the job and I haven’t yet told them...any advice would me much appreciated x
Do I tell my new employer?: Hi ladies...I... - Endometriosis UK
Do I tell my new employer?
Hi
Not knowing what you may have discussed with the new employer it’s hard to say. You mention they didn’t ask, if you’ve signed any paperwork there could be something mentioned that would relate. This would include contract and policies.
I’d suggest you contact ACAS, it’s free, not only about this, but it sounds like you were made to leave your last job and they’ve handled your situation appallingly.
Good luck
There is also information on the UK endo site about employment.
Heya thank you so much for your advice, I am part of a union at my new job and they seem to really take care of their staff so fingers crossed. I’m meant to have another update from the hospital on Monday so was going to speak to my manager then x
Agree with Moon_maiden. Good luck for the future
Hi,
Having been through the process of difficult managers, time off, unfair process, and finally starting a new job I do have some advice.
Firstly if you've not had your laparoscopy to determine if you have endometriosis it does make things a little more difficult as you don't have a diagnosis just suspected, but don't worry.
If you're not comfortable talking to your manager perhaps HR? They may ask you to fill in medical information once stuff starts to resume and people return to offices. Anyway being proactive is the best thing I've found so here's my steps:
1. Obtain letters from your GP / specialist of your suspected endo (you may need to ask your GP / specialist and pay - mine was about £20) ask the doctor to outline that that suspect endo and what your symptoms are. This will help start the process of you've been to your GP so you are doing something about it.
2. Print off the Information for Employers from the Endometriosis UK website, or download the PDF. endometriosis-uk.org/sites/... it's under endometriosis-uk.org/public... if you want the non direct link. This will help employers to understand endo, what your rights are and what theirs are. I found this really useful as it helped my manager and HR without them asking me directly.
3. Keep a record of your bad days i.e. your flareup days; this then means if you can predict them or near enough you may be able to request work from home days / reduced hours.
4. Compile all the above and send it to HR / your manager, just outlining it's for your medical records and you're happy to have a chat at somepoint. This starts communication and shows you really do want to work there.
5. Sign up to Unite the Union, it'll cost a bit a month, but they have representatives in each sector and are there to look at how workplaces comply with government rules. Therefore they are really useful when you're not sure what certain things mean in your contract and what applies to you also they have information about each company. If you're company is large enough they could have one in the company. I found them really useful when I came up for the absence hearing, as to what I could do / say to support my case.
6. When discussions do happen, which they always do, about how to manage your sick days - they have to match attendance with targets and loss of work / pay. So you'll have to be creative and point out your commitment by working from home / flexible hours. Suggest a trial run for x number of months to see how it goes, then discuss. Remember do not take holiday for when you're off ill; work shouldn't suggest it and you shouldn't do it; holidays are for time off away from the workplace at full health to pursue other activities and "reset / refresh".
7. Be open about your endo / symptoms; if you have additional appointments / bad days let work know. I found it easier to have one contact in work whom I communicate with for all the above and actually I found it easier to talk to HR as they don't work with me so it doesn't feel awkward and them being HR I know they need to know plus actually appreciate me telling them.
All the above I've put into place and as my endo symptoms are predictable my workplace (after a trial of 2 months) now lets me work from home when my symptoms are bad. Obviously I have stated if I'm ill and actually can't work then I will call in sick.
I've made sure that once my diagnosis of endo came through that HR marked it on my records.
I hope all the above helps, just remember be open and help your work out, sometimes with embarrassing stuff they don't always ask and the do rely on us to tell them things.
Thanks so much that’s such brilliant advice 😘 defo I think the hard part is pre diagnosis. I’ve kept all of my appointment letters from the last year or so and my manager seems quite approachable to talk to...I’m meant to have an update from the hospital on Monday so was going to speak to them after I think x
As you are working from home could you not write them a letter x
I am yeah, but have been using MS teams for video calls so thinking about speaking to my manager on there x
The teams call sounds like a good idea, perhaps do it without the video if it feels like it could be awkward. Then maybe follow up with an email if there are any points / actionable which came out of the call: that's always good as it clarifies and checks all the stuff is understood.
Hi lovely, if you would like some advice then I’m a HR Manager and happy to help.
Personally, I would always encourage you to be open if it is something you’ll need time off for - if you do have endo then it’s a long term condition and employment law protects you from discrimination.
Maybe you could ask them if you can work from home on your bad days? I’ve always done that and it really helps, plus instead of having sick leave you’re still doing your job so they should be happy with that x
Hi lovely thank you so much. I’ve messaged you x
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