Im still working as a nurse

[phoenix1951]

im still working as a nursei was diagnosed in 2009 with fibromyalgia work is becoming more difficult and my manager does not put follow recommendations by occupational health is fibromyalgia classed as a disability and if it is how do i go about getting recognition.

[Hidden]

If you read your right to work it says that anyone with cronic pain for

Over a year is thought to have a disability. It does say about fibro

But this does not mean that you could get a disability allowance as

That is very hard to get.

If your manager does not put the recommendations that occy health

Have suggested, and you still have time off, they can't get rid of you

As they have not helped you. So you then can take the NHS if that

Is who you work for to a employment tribunal. They have to be very

Careful that they can show they have helped, your manager is very

Wrong.

Have a look at the GOV web site look at your right to work, it's a long

Paper but worth reading.

I was sent to occy health as well, but every thing has been put into place

To help me, like I never work two days in a row, I have to say it helps but

It's very hard to work and I take each shift at a time but for how long I don't

Know. I have been to occy health twice and they have been very good.

Love Viv

[phoenix1951 in reply to Hidden]

thanks that is very helpful i have a meeting on monday with the matron and i will make notes and i am going to suggest i reduce my hours to 2 long days and i need 2 days between each shift to recuperate - my manager had been bullying me for 2 years also which has added to the stress at work - i have been in ouch with disablity direct and they are sending me by email some pointsn to bring up in the meeting so i am hoping i will get some support love lyn

[phlebo123]

Hi phoenix .... you don't say how many hours a week you work.... but maybe you can reduce the number of hours you work. Are you able to reduce the number of hours per shift ...... ? .... I know a lot of nurses do 12 hour shifts.... perhaps you can alternate the days you work so you get a "rest" day in between.... I work as a Phlebotomist in N H S.... but only do 4 X 3hours a week... which I can cope with

.... they asked me to do extra days but I was strong with myself and said "No".... it is all about "pacing " yourself. Xxx

[phoenix1951 in reply to phlebo123]

hi i do 30 hrs at present just changed to long days thats the problem even tho occupational health have been supportive my manager has not plus she has been bullying me for 2 years i have a meeting with the matron on monday i have also been in touch with disability direct and they have given me some amunitiion to use on monday i.e reasonable adjustments and i will suggest i reduce my hours to 24 a week if they do not accept this i have another job to go to in a nursing home but i would lke to stay in thee nhs if possible.

[mandajane]

Are you a union member they may advocate for you?

[phoenix1951 in reply to mandajane]

i am in a union unison ut the lady who has dealt with this in the past has virtually given up on me my manager has been bullying me to for two years so its been quite complicated to be honest she has no time for people working for her with any ailments she has bullied two other nurses aswell who have had health issues one has left and the other was off 2 months with stress as i have been myself. a seeing matron on monday to thrash this out hopefully occy health have been supportive but my manager has never implemented their recommodations.

[mandajane]

Why do managers like her still exist?! I am still working full time too but I am fortunate to work for a company that supports me. Would it be worth contacting unison direct?

[Mdaisy]

Hello Phoenix1951,

Can I provide you with this link to the FibroAction website about work & Fibro, it contains useful information & orgnaisations that you may want to consider contacting for advice,

fibroaction.org/pages/work-...

Has your employer discussed Reasonable Adjustments ?

If you would like to email [e-mail] we can send you the Benefits & Work guides for free regarding Reasonable Adjustments at work & Disability Discrimination Act

Here's the website for Benefits & Work

benefitsandwork.co.uk/

Please do think about maybe asking again for a representative from unison as you are paying to be a member or consider ringing Royal College of Nursing to enquire how long you need to be a member before you can ask for a representative?

I hope this will help

Emma

[jcnps in reply to Mdaisy]

Hi Emma,

Unable to open the fibro link...is it on the action for me website?

Thanks

Julia

[Hidden]

Hello

You still need to go to occy health, as it needs to come from them,

I don't know about your area,but in mine you used to be able to refer

Yourself, but we can't do that now, we have to be referred, by a manager

You can take anyone with you on your interview it does not have to be a

Union member, it's only a chat to begin with. I think if you join the union on

Line you become a member right away, can't remember which one maybe

You can have a look.

[Malwimmy27]

Hi Phoenix, I currently work 3 long days but don't always manage to have a day off in between. Im finding it harder at the moment since butrans patch has ben put up to 20mcg it makes me so tired and drowsy.

I self referred to occy health and they were very supportive writing to my matron to say that I may have to take more sick leave compared to other employees.

I hope al goes well with the meeting. Becky xx

[jcnps]

HI All,

Found this thread very interesting as am also a Nurse struggling to stay in employment.

Just got the e-mail from O.H. ( which took 8 days - lot of hanging around!) and should have a meeting at work next week sometime.

I am actually trying to work shorter shifts as find 10hrs too long but don't think work are keen on this.

Anyway will await the meeting...

Physically feeling better again but have no been off for 5wks - though it doesn't feel like it!

Thanks for the link Mdaisy.

I find it all very difficult and I know that whatever I try I cannot guarantee that I wont be sick again! Though realistically no-one can!

Thanks all

Julia