work advice

[Charkennedy]

hi, I wondered if anyone had any advice on working with endometriosis. I had surgery last June and have been in an induced menopause since December. I am now coming out of the induced menopause and experiencing pain again.

The pain is decreasing my ability to work and I also have a lot of time off work as my immune system is poor - I wondered if anyone else had this problem, as my work are now holding attendance meeting and saying I need to prove my illnesses are endo related (not the days where it is directly endo related eg pain)

I am also applying for flexible working and wondered if anyone else had done this. Any advice or tips on managing work would be appreciated. Thank you x

[Cailleach]

It would be worth asking if your work has access to an Occupational Health Service and if so referring yourself there, You get to talk to a medical professional who can see your medical notes with your permission and eventually they will send a report back to your employer with recommendations but they do not disclose your health details. With or without Occupational Health you could request adjustments to your workplace/ work patterns etc under the Equality Act in the basis that you have a disability. This could include flexible working. They have to make ‘ reasonable ‘ adjustments.

Your work sound as if they are getting a bit aggressive with you. It might be worth joining a union if you can. I think another post here recently linked to the Unison website and their information on dealing with health issues at work -it would be worth a look at the website even if you are not a member.