Hi guys, I need some advice - since October I have been struggling with a reoccurring uti. I have spent countless days and nights in A&E, had many GP appointments and been on over 10 lots of antibiotics. I was diagnosed in December with endometriosis so I do believe that my UTI’s have been linked to endo. I have had more than 3 occasions of sickness, all due to the same ongoing issue and recently had a sickness absence meeting. As a result of my chronic pain and other symptoms, I have been deemed disabled and I have made work aware of this. I believe my absences to be disability related. The outcome of the meeting was that I was issued with a stage 1 warning. Where do I stand? I feel so anxious and feel like I have been done an injustice where I have been so genuinely unwell and have all of the evidence on my record.. I can appeal it but I’ve never had to do anything like this and I’m not at all confident with these situations or where I stand? Tyia x
Sickness absence : Hi guys, I need some... - Endometriosis UK
Sickness absence
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Hi. Does you have like a union rep or similar. I took them with me when I had been on long term sick and they tried to not let the company terminate me (they did in the end) or can you not ask citizens advice for some advice
Hi. I am sorry about this experience you are having to face at work.I would encourage you to request occupational health support via your HR / work union if you have one.
I hope this helps.
All the best🙏
I agree, advice from a trade union or Citizen’s Advise could be useful for you. Have a read of your employer’s Sickness Absence Policy and policies relating to disability -these might be called Equal Opportunities or something similar. The government website about your rights at work, or ACAS could also be helpful.
If you are not aware of a trade union in your workplace, try contacting the TUC to see if there is a branch of a relevant union near you. Even if the union is not recognised by your employer, which gives them certain rights, they can advise you and may be able to represent you in some circumstances. You need to join for them to help you.
I agree an Occupational Health referral could help you, and it is likely your employer will have a link with a company providing this. They should have made you aware of this. The service is confidential and you will meet a health professional who can discuss how your health is affecting your work, your treatment plan and likely future impact, and also discuss with you any adjustments that can be made to help you to improve and maintain your attendance, They can also access your health records, with your permission, and confirm that your health issues are genuine, without disclosing what they are or any details. They then write a summary to your employer, confirming what you have told them and any recommendations for helping you at work.
You can request ‘ reasonable adjustments’ to help you at work ( you don’t need to see OH to do this). These could be changes to your duties, hours, breaks, toilet access, working from home, whatever would help you. It needs to be something your employer can do without it unduly affecting their business and which would hopefully mean you are better able to do your job. You can request, you don’t have a right to this.
I know you feel this is unfair as you were genuinely ill, but sickness absence procedures are almost universally used, often implemented at early stages, and don’t indicate that they don’t believe you. Employers want people who will be reliably at their work and sadly can be less than sympathetic to people who have ongoing health issues.
Hoe this helps, I have been through it myself, as a manager, a union rep and an employee !
You need occupational health. You have rights. Occupational health will make them make reasonable adjustments x
Hi, I agree with the above. Ring ACAS for impartial advice. They can write to the employer at times to point out need for reasonable adjustments x
Occupational Health are the first port of call .