Struggling with work

[courtneyhatts]

Hi,

Not too sure if anyone would know anything based on this but I started a new job in October, I changed from hospitality so being on my feet all day to sitting at a desk in an office all day , for some reason I thought this would help me but in fact it is so much worse for my endo. I am currently working 40 hours a week but I am really struggling with this and my health is just deuterating and constantly feel drained and deflated. Has anyone experienced this and how did you go about this?

would there be any way to get note from the doctor or gynaecologist to say I need my hours lowering because of my endo? As lowering hours in my workplace is really hard to get this in place unless you have a valid reason.

Thank you so much.

[Moon_maiden]

Hi

A GP fit note will help specify hours and what you can do. Have a chat with HR to get an occupational health assessment. It could be a better designed chair such as a ball or saddle chair might help.

I had to stop work as I can’t sit or stand for long.

🤞 for you 🙂

[courtneyhatts in reply to Moon_maiden]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your reply really appreciate it.

I will raise this with my doctors see if they can advise anything for me.

thank you again x

[Moon_maiden in reply to courtneyhatts]

Let us know how you get on 🙂 I hope you get something sorted.

[courtneyhatts in reply to Moon_maiden]

I will of course , and so do I 🙏

[Escapologygirl in reply to Moon_maiden]

I had to stop working too. I'm a fully qualified QQI Level 5 health care assistant and just couldn't do it anymore the hoisting and assisting and the hours so I switched to an office job , 9-5 Mon to Friday and it was worse than being a care assistant. Job didn't renew my contract and let me go as I was sick a lot. I was upfront about the endometriosis but I'm living in Ireland and we don't have any guidelines for work like UK has.I haven't worked for a year now as I'm not improving and my dr refused to declare me fit for work anytime soon so I understand your predicament.

[Moon_maiden in reply to Escapologygirl]

It’s so frustrating, we want to work, we get let down by drs far too often. I know they avoid getting involved in peoples lives which I understand but they need to keep it generally in their minds about quality of life.

Our illness keeps them in work, pretty sure economy comes into it these days.

The EU bought in most work regulations in the last x years, I’d hope you should have had some protection regarding your contract and potential disability.

Really hope you feel better soon. Are you due surgery?

[Escapologygirl in reply to Moon_maiden]

absolutely noone will mention surgery for me here and my dr is the only one on my side and takes me serioously.

[Moon_maiden in reply to Escapologygirl]

Your GP can push for surgery, I’m sure that must be the same everywhere, mine has in the past.

Do you find painkillers help?

[Escapologygirl in reply to Moon_maiden]

My gp has pushed on my behalf and only consultants decide yes or no. I'm on ponstan for pain

[Rjb_88]

Hi! You have the right to make a flexible working request from day one now so I’d do that first, explain the reason is a long term, chronic health condition. As moon maiden recommends, request an occupational health assessment to give work some reasonable adjustment suggestions and to explain the condition, it’s impact etc to them.

Sometimes, endo is covered under the disability discrimination act if it impedes your usual activities every day for 12 months plus, or if it is likely to affect it for that long with how it is now. If so, the employer must make every attempt to make adjustments but with a chronic condition rather than a traditional disability it can be harder to demonstrate that you fall into the category.

Usually employers want to help and keep you in the business, so have a chat with your manager / HR first but if you need any help then feel free to message me, as I work in HR myself x

[courtneyhatts]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your reply really appreciate it.

This has really helped and was not sure how to go about this at all! Hopefully my work place can get something in place for me that works and helps me ! X