Hi everyone, just looking for a little advice in respect of my upcoming 3rd stage work sickness review. I’m currently working for the Local Authority and have been on sick for almost a year due to what I now know is fibromyalgia. My manager has been very supportive throughout this time but I know the job is not good for me in respect of my health and hope to leave on ill health grounds, I’ve been a social worker for 20 years and although I love my job it’s can be very stressful and challenging both mentally and emotionally. Working through the lockdown, taking on extra responsibilities and working long into the night and weekends nearly finished me off, I thought I was having some kind of breakdown, crying all the time, not sleeping and near the end could hardly string a sentence together, forgetting what I’d done the day before sometimes.
I know at the next meeting they will ask what adjustments they can make to get me back into workplace but my anxiety is through the roof just thinking of going back, I just want to ask if anyone else has been in my situation and how they managed to get through this final stage.
thank you all in advance x
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Ammangirl
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It’s awful to hear what Fibro can do to you. Not all employers are supportive but good for you if the support is there.
Do you think you are able to return to work with reasonable adjustment or working part time? If none of that will you consider early retirement on grounds of ill health.? There is no harm in discussing it with your pension provider prior to having a meeting with your manager.
I share the pain you are going through. Been there and seen it first hand. I absolutely struggle with mental and physical tasks. I only enjoy the occasional gardening and that’s it. I cannot see 5 minutes of a movie or watch television. My concentration is Nil.
I hope you get what’s best for you after the interview xx
Thank you for responding to my post, retirement on health grounds is definitely something I’m considering but will take your advice and speak to my pension provider to get an idea of how this would work for me. I’m glad to hear your able to do a little gardening as it always makes us feel a little better getting out especially when we have a beautiful garden to enjoy xxx
It's really not up to you to suggest reasonable adjustments to enable you to return to work. Your employers should be instructing occupational health to visit and write a report with their recommendations. As a local authority they really should know the procedures. Obviously they need to be seen to make every effort to give you the opportunity to return to work otherwise they would leave themselves open to a constructive dismissal claim.
If they do ask OH to report then you are entitled to see the report before it is sent to your employers. If there is anything in the report you do not agree with this gives time for it to be amended before your employers see it.
Have you thought about CBT or other help for the anxiety, if not it may be worth self referring as this will also show your employers that your anxiety is a real issue for you.
Good luck, I really feel for you, I know how stressful employment can be as I am going through a difficult time with my boss.
I’m very sceptical about the reasonable adjustments as in the past when this has happened they tend to blur and get lost on my manager who gradually overloads me with work which gets me back into the situation again, this is partly my own fault as I’m not very good at saying no and end up overwhelmed with everything again making me ill.
I’ve recently spoken over the phone to a Dr from OH who states I’m not fit for work, I just feel that on the day of my 3rd stage meeting I’ll buckle and agree to go back when I know this is not the right thing for me to do. I just wish it was over and done with.
I’m really sorry you’re going through a difficult time of it yourself and hope you’re able to work through this bloody awful period, good luck xxxx
They shouldn't really go against medical advice however I would take a union rep or a fellow colleague with you and make notes at the meeting. Do not agree anything, just say you need time to take it all in. Blame fibro fog (having this illness has to be good for some excuse😁)
Reasonable adjustments works well for me, although I do sometimes have to remind them about it, particularly as my new boss believes that fibro is just being a bit stiff getting out of themorning - if only 🤦♀️
Can you ask for the OH doctor to either write you a letter or be there at the meeting to support you?
How about the Union or Professional Body Representative?
Unfortunately, managers often forget the disabilities when deadlines loom, and in Social Work, as in Nursing and any health related organisations they can be real shockers!
You will need people on your side at this meeting.
If you are in a Trades Union, they can help you with this and usually you are entitled to be accompanied by a Trades Union representative at such meetings. You should check what the procedure says about this. As for ill health retirement, get a copy of the pension scheme rules. Being a Local Government scheme, it is probably all published on the internet or you can ask HR or the scheme for a copy. You need to understand the criteria for ill health pensions and how to satisfy them. The better prepared you are to argue your case, the more likely a successful outcome. The more evidence you can gather about your condition, the better. If you have seen any specialists, ask for copies of any letters sent to your GP. If you have not claimed Personal Independence Payment, do so as it helps to show the impact of your disability. If your sick pay is coming to an end, you will be claiming ESA or the Universal Credit equivalent based on your NI contributions. The DWP scheme, Access to Work can be used to assess your needs for workplace adaptations. Good luck with getting an outcome that is right for you.
Good morning releasetgemagic and thank you for your response to my post very much appreciated. I will definitely take a look through the LGPS and speak to my union rep as you say the better prepared I am the better, thank you 😊
Hi I'm like you, I'm a social worker and have Fibro plus I have a "severe"mental illness. When my Fibro flared up due to the death of my sister, I ended up reducing my working days and having a phased return to work (I had 6 months off sick after try to work for 8 months after her death). It's been really tough during the pandemic and I also had periods when I felt I couldn't cope. My team and manager put loads of stuff in place to make sure we all made contact with eachother and we had mental health catch ups 3 X weekly. My reasonable adjustments are that I can work from home, plus I have some equipment (special mouse, keyboard and chair) and flexible working when agreed and depending of my health. I did think I would have some issues and spoke to Unison at one point for their advice, but I didn't need to use it, as my manager became very supportive.As has been mentioned earlier, speak to Unison. They will be able to help and possibly make suggestions re, reasonable adjustments.
Good afternoon mjgoddo Im so very sorry to hear about the loss of your sister, can’t begin to imagine what you have gone through on top of everything else.
I’m pleased you’re getting the support from your manager and team members it sounds like a solid team to work in, thank you for taking the time to respond to my post I will certainly take on board the advice you have given, sending hugs 🙏
Hi, Ammangirl, hopefully involving the union (I'd guess either Unison or BASW), they'll be able to give some sound advice and support. But if you're not part of one, I think ACAS will be able to offer some advice.Hope things go well for you.
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