I'm new here..Help with Work

[Sophie1304]

Hi

I have just been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I have had chronic fatigue since I can remember and lots of other symptoms blamed on my hashimoto's (Under active Thyroid) which was I was diagnosed with in September 2011. I have had a lot of pain all over my body in recent months which is why I got this diagnosis I believe.

I have an informal meeting with my HR at work tomorrow about the diagnosis and what steps can be taken to help how I feel. I feel I need to prepare myself, but I don't know how. I am suffering with the fatigue more than anything, I wake up feeling more tired than when I went to bed, I could easily sleep all day so I would like to ask for reduced hours. However I am only 23 and feel that this would be frowned upon and I really need my full wage to pay off uni debt and save for a house.

Can anyone help me or advise what to ask for at work?

Thank you!!

[bluebell99]

Hi Sophie1304 welcome to our friendly fibro forum where you can get support, advice, help and information. Have you seen our Mother Site fmauk.org ?

Here you will find a wealth of information about fibro, including links and guides.

I suggest you make an appointment with Citizens Advice, who will go through your options and help fill any forms.

You could apply for PIP which is not means tested and might enable you to reduce your working hours.

Also as far as I am aware, you don't have to pay back your student loan if you are earning less than a certain amount. Again, check with the CAB.

If you go to the government website GOV.UK you will find more information about working and how your employer could help. They have a duty to offer more flexible hours, and also see if there can be adaptations to your work station. This could mean an ergonomic desk and keyboard, a comfortable, supportive chair etc.

If you have not done so already, join the Union. They will be able to help if your company wants to dismiss you because your work is not up to standard or for time off sick.

Hope you manage to get HR on your side!

X

[Janet28]

Hi Sophie1304 welcome to our wonderful forum ☺ I'm sure you will come to find the forum invaluable in chatting to others who are going through the same experience as you, talking to others at different stages of their lives with Fibro and learning from their experiences.

It does help with the whole process and I wish I had found the site years ago. I have had Fibro for nearly 30 yrs and I'm still learning about it, like we all are.

I'm sorry you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and feeling so tired, I'm afraid fatigue can be one of the worst symptoms for some people.

I see bluebell99 has given you lots of advise on your next step 're work so I can't add to that.

What I would like to say to you is, it doesn't matter how old you are, there are varying degrees of Fibromyalgia and some people have it mildly and manage to work & some people are bedridden, it's how it effects you that you need to be telling work, not just the symptoms of Fibro. Some people go in & out of flares continuous & others may have one every 2 or 3 mths. It effects everybody so differently.

Anyway my friend I wish you luck & do let us know how you get on.

Peace, luv n light

Jan xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi Sophie1304

I really am so sorry that I am a bit late to answer you, but I would not go into the meeting alone. I would take somebody with you whom you trust to speak for you if you start to flag my friend. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[TamarynS]

As a fellow teacher, I strongly urge to take a union rep with you to the meeting. Unfortunately, you have to remember that HR is there to protect the school not you, so you must have someone with you who knows your legal rights. I learned this the hard way! Please take your own notes during the meeting.

You are entitled to ask for 'reasonable adjustments' as Fibromyalgia is covered under the Equality Act. I would firstly ask to be assessed by Occupational Health to get some recommendations from them.

I have a similar meeting next week at school and have done a bit of research into my options.

'Access to Work' is brilliant and can provide a free workplace assessment, recommending what support you might need. They will ask your employer to pay a small contribution to any equipment / adaptations you may need but will fund a support worker to set up your classroom and do physical activities that would tire you out. I have used them before and they were great but you will need to apply online to get help from them.

Please ask if I can help further!