Endometriosis friendly employer & Occupational Health assessment

[Spangalow07]

Hello all,

Just to add to the worries I have with the upcoming outpatient appointment and Zoladex review, my employer (who is part of the endo friendly employer scheme) has turned around this morning and said "they have decided it is best for me to return to the office full time" and are looking to arrange an occupational health assessment to start to facilitate this.

I work in sales, and I currently work from home due to the side effects of the Zoladex and also the distance of my office to my drs to accomodate the appointments (they do not like for them to be in working hours) for the medication etc. I have formal Dr's note to say this is recommended and must be respected.

I feel so upset my employer has signed up to the scheme, but then is not reasonably allowing flexible working as per the guidelines provided by endoUK. They do not understand the physical implications of having a menstrual disorder and have made no attempt to learn more, let alone the mental health implications of being infertile, in the menopause in my early 30's, and the severe anxiety and brain fog this has given me.

I am part of the union Unison, and will be asking for their advice about occ health but does anyone else have any experience of an Endo friendly employer acting in this way and how you have dealt with it?

Thank you so much for your help as always

x

[Cailleach]

Occupational Health services should be independent and recommend based on what you tell them and information from your doctor, so you may find they can help you, on the basis of what you have said. Seems strange that the employer decides the outcome and then asks for Occ Health advice?

[Laulou87]

Hey.I’ve had a similar situation with my sales job too.

Does your company allow remote working or is everyone back to being office based?

[Spangalow07 in reply to Laulou87]

My company operates 'hybrid' working for sales but it seems to be going back to at least 4 days a week. Outside of sales, roles are fully remote. I am so sorry that your company have treated you this way too. The endofriendly employer guide states they must allow me to work flexibly to suit me, so I will be discussing with my union if they are breaching any laws etc in not allowing me to do so. It seems so unfair on top of everything else we deal with that we have to battle our employers too.

On top of this i have just found out someone has come into the same role as me, new to the company (and sector) on a much higher salary to me - I have worked for the company for over 6 years and I took an internal promotion with salary negotiated by my manager on my behalf and told that it was the highest she could get me. It just feels like i am being bullied and punished for my situation, almost being forced out!

[Laulou87 in reply to Spangalow07]

That’s terrible. I’m so sorry you’re going through this is on top of everything else. It’s really hard to not assume we’re penalised because of our medical condition. I would ask if they’re prepared to be flexible and if so how often they’ll expect you in the office then speak to the Union.

I had an occupational health report last month,and they’re completely impartial. Your employer doesn’t have to do everything the report suggests but they do have to make reasonable adjustments,so hopefully that will go in your favour. xx

[Purple_Badgers]

Best how and for whom? Did they give any actual reasons for their decision or proof that it would be best/better? It would be great if they could explain… (sore topic in our house at the mo, as my hubby’s boss forced him back into 100% office based for no good reason except spite/control…)

[BeUa]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear this. I'm having problems with my employer not understanding my medication and my conditions as I have more than endo going on. I'm constantly under review I've asked for occupational health to get involved to whatever they suggest I guess...the ironic thing is i work in a gp surgery 🙄🙈. I hope it goes OK xx