wooed problems

[Thornthorpe]

since having to have more time off work before Xmas and been diagnosed by rheumatologist with fibromyalgia I have been put on a improvement plan at work 4 weeks in after a review and I have made no improvements on volunteer recruitment and a few more things that keep adding on every time my ASM visits . I have worked in same charity shop for 27 years never been on improvement plan before , after 12 weeks they can terminate my contract . I didn’t realise it was so easy to get rid of an employee so fast and without any come back . Don’t know where to turn feel total let down didn’t think they would be so quick to get rid of me after all the years I’ve done , it’s only this last year my I’ll health has really kicked in , but I still go to work x

[Ninapod]

That does not sound very charitable! Are they aware of what exactly fibromyalgia? My manager at work thought I had a minor ailment and was cross that the doctor had not made me better! Once Occupational Health were involved, who advised I would need a 6 week phased return to work (I was off for 5 months) and I took in details of FM, she was a lot more understanding. Are you able to get support or back-up from OH, HR or doctor?

[Gigiruth]

Hi ThornthorpeSorry to hear you are having a tough time. Like your other replies I would ask for OHS and reasonable adjustments. If you are in a trade union you could ask for support there.

Take care

Gigi

[SisterMaryL]

Hi - not an expert but there are rules about disability discrimination at work as well as the requirement to make reasonable adjustments to help people with chronic health issues. Your HR and Occupational Health teams should be aware of this. If you don't have access to trade union support you might want to give ACAS a call - they can explain your rights to you: 0300 123 1100. As Ninapod suggests, it sounds like they need a bit of education.

[Dinkie]

You are covered under the Equality Act 2010. You should be offered an assessment with occupational health and they can and should advise your employers what reasonable adjustments they should put in place to enable you to do your job. Failure by them to follow the rules will leave themselves open to a claim for constructive dismissal etc. Once a report is made by occupational health you may request to see it 10 days before it is sent to your employers. You may then request any alterations/amendments to be made. It is then forwarded to your employer, they then can chose to make the adjustments or not. If they refuse it can only be on the grounds that it would be impossible for the company to function properly and would affect the company with the adjustments in place.

I may add that any tribunal frowns upon companies failing to comply. I took on my late husband's company and won compensation as they failed to ask for an occupational health report and told my husband his cancer, 2 heart attacks and GCA/PMR were minor health issues! If your employers ask for a formal meeting do not sign anything and if possible take someone with you and get advice from CAB.

Good luck.