For those of you in work, have you got any tips on handling your employer? Every time I'm ill they call me in and this stresses me out.

[exhaustedfox]

I work as an auditor and fibrofog can really mess up my day.

[oobs]

Hi Exhaustedfox,

I feel the same way when I've been off sick. I have been really lucky and have had lots of support from employers both with the fibro and the stress. Not sure what to advise! Are your employers supportive? Are you able to tell them how your feeling? Is it seeing them after long absences that stresses you? After returning the last time I was off we had a back to work meeting and agreed to do weekly meetings so they could get an update on how I was doing. I also did a plan of what to and on which days and how it made me feel, which I was required to fill out daily and which was supposed to help, unfortunately two and a half months later (as the doctor predicted) I'm off work again. But that's not to say these ways might not work for someone else:). Let me know if anything Dosn't make sense (having concentration problems at the moment) and I'll try and clear it up

[exhaustedfox in reply to oobs]

Bless you! No, it's not after periods of absence that I get stressed. It's every day. If fibro fog strikes I am useless. And because of this I have been put into the early stages of disciplinary action. Pressure on pressure.

[Riles-17]

Maybe suggest they sent you to Occupational Health and then they will know what you can and can't do and they will need to make allowances for you and if you require anything to assist you I your job they will need to put it in place. Hope this helps. Good luck with them you are lucky if you get an understanding boss I haven't had that luck either.

[suffolklass]

Hello

I agree with Riles. Your employer should have access to Occupational Health who can look at you and your duties and give advice to help you carry on working. Your employer also needs to know what to do to help you. That doesn't mean the advice has to be taken.... (Advice which ATOS and Capita gave my employer was ignored after a while so the union had to get involved.

Keep a record of everything that is said and done and all reports. Hopefully you won't need to take it to a union, but be prepared.

Good luck with it all. Xx

[wall1409]

I had OH at work who provided a chair and recommended my homeworking be increased from 2 days to 3 . I do know though some of my collegues have been placed on management plans regardless of a vaild sick note and they can be finished but it takes time, I lost 2 increments due to my condition and had valid sick notes and a genuine reason for illness. I work in an open office so germs are always lurking and they are aware I have an auto immune disorder which does not give me protection hence I have yearly flu jabs

[fbwoman]

I work full time and recently had 6 weeks off, I am off again today I am fortunate that my employer is fairly suportive, but it cannot go on forever, Fibro is a condition that is classed as a disability under the DDA and so they should afford you the 'reasonable adjustments' in order for you to do your job. I wouls ask for a referral to occupational health and also make contact with your local Access to Work, both of whom will assess your condiiton and suggest changes to your employer to support you in staying in work. Both have been great for me.

I worry constantly about my ability to keep working but really don't have a choice at the moment. Hope things get easier for you xx

[Mdaisy]

Hello Exhausted Fox,

Please can I provide you with this link to the FibroAction website about Work & Fibro as this may help;

fibroaction.org/Pages/Work-...

As fbwoman has mentioned, your employer should be considering making 'reasonable adjustments' to help you to continue the work you do. If you would like the Benefits & Work guides on Reasonable Adjustments & the Disability Discrimination Act, I can send you them for free if you would like to email me at [e-mail].

Here is a link to the Benefits & Work website for your interest;

benefitsandwork.co.uk/

I hope this helps and wish you all the best

Emma

[exhaustedfox]

Thanks, guys. It's good to know support is out there. Like FBwoman I have had lengthy periods off work due to fatigue (the longest was around 3 months). But the whole pressure situation makes you go into work when you really should be at home - but you don't want them to have an excuse to sack you. I have seen 3 different OH doctors. Because of the nature of my work the "reasonable adjustments" aren't really much help. We are discouraged from homeworking and we don't have permanent desks (we move from place to place as we audit different organisations). The worst part is the driving (which makes me so tired). The OH doctor recommended limiting the distance I drive, but I have been told "if there is a business need" it is unreasonable of me to refuse to go. They do try some of the time but there are no guarantees. I need my income after being taken for a ride by 2 ex-partners but worry that unemployment is just around the corner.

[Sarah-Jane]

Hello, I'm in a similar boat but further up the creek, still paddling though, so should you. If you are not in a union ask one if they could help if you joined. I ended up in a meeting and have a year to improve my health record. Managed over summer but currently off and getting worse. I'm in Unison who've been a big help. Work now trying to get me out on competency, but Union have got them to alter their methods of checking.

Apparently they should offer you alternative work if you cannot cope. Maybe you could be at the main office sending others out?

If you're off sick, stay off until you're well or you may make it worse, be off for the same thing or because you went too early. The next time off is not counted in with the first. It's a new one and more ammo for them.

You are disabled and they could be discriminating against you. They have to be careful.

Access to work got me back to work and an electric chair for getting around the building. It also showed work I would fight. They've been very careful ever since. Three years now. Fingers are still crossed, but they do need to see you after every time off by law (I think) to make sure you are ok to be back and that they're doing all they can to help, so don't let them bother you.

Hope this is helpful.

Soft hugs

[exhaustedfox]

Thanks Sarah-Jane. I am a member of a union (Prospect), though unions are not recognised by the employer. My father says this should not matter. I need all the help I can get and money is in short supply. What bothers me is that I am sole carer for my 19 year od son who has an autistic spectrum disorder as well as severe scoliosis with Chiari malformation. Should I not be able to keep my job it would have a profound impact on us both.

Nothing in life is easy, is it?

[Sarah-Jane]

Nothing worth fighting for is, I agree. The union can offer advice and be your advocate in meetings, speaking up for you. My meeting was fab thanks to the union man.

Chin up. Keep fighting!