Fibromyalgia hand book

[Tommygurl]

Hello .I got diagnosed with fibromyalgia February last year .

I still work 5 days a week .

Last year some one on this group sent me the link to the fibromyalgia hand book (so sorry I can't remember who it was )

I sent the handbook to my duty manager who had no clue what fibromyalgia is and she still doesn't know by the comments she makes .

The person who sent me the copy said it should be logged with H R

Our area manager has changed and in passing the other day I said to her did you know I have fibromyalgia she said no !!

Please could someone explain to me why it has to be logged with HR I have really bad fatigue and Brain fog and I can't gather thoughts to explain it to my self.

I want to speak to the area manager before the duty manager comes back to work after her holidays but I need to understand before speaking to her ..

Many thanks x

[Tommygurl]

Also could someone plz send me a copy of the hand book much appreciated x

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Tommygurl]

What handbook do you mean?

[Tommygurl in reply to desquinn]

Fibromyalgia handbook to hand to my employer. Sorry i had bad fibro fog yesterday .

Thank you for replying

[Musicaltheatrelover in reply to Tommygurl]

Is this the handbook you mean? fmauk.org/dmdocuments/Emplo...

[Tommygurl in reply to Musicaltheatrelover]

Thank you for replying I will have a read think it is this one

[Kunky]

Is this what you're referring to? fmauk.org/1366-employee-s-g...

[Tommygurl in reply to Kunky]

Thank you for replying. This looks interesting thank you

[Musicaltheatrelover]

Is this the handbook you mean? fmauk.org/dmdocuments/Emplo...

[Tommygurl in reply to Musicaltheatrelover]

Thank you for replying yes this is the one thank you

[Fibrooh]

Hi TG

HR need to know as they are obligated by law to consider reasonable adjustments for you. That might include things like taking breaks when you are fatigued, flexible hours, a more suitable/comfortable chair etc

[Tommygurl in reply to Fibrooh]

Thank you for your reply .it makes sense now !! Thank you

[Iamthemedicalmystery]

Ask for an occupational health assessment through your company

[Christmas-star]

Hi TG,

I continued to work full time for a number of years following diagnosis in quite a stressful career but which I loved. I retired during the pandemic. Since retiring, my children have told me I look so much better and I think that is because I can now listen to my body rather than pushing through the pain and fatigue to get to work.

I was very lucky while I was working as I had brilliant support from managers and the organisation as a whole so I had lots of equipment and adjustments to enable me to work until retirement. The last manager I had was not great and resented the high regard in which I was held. At the first meeting with him he focused on what he thought I couldn’t do rather than all that I was doing well. He asked inappropriate and intrusive questions about my treatment which I declined to provide. Instead I asked HR for an Occupational Health review. The doctor was appalled at how I had been treated and manager sent on a disability awareness course. It is fair to say though that it did spoil the last year of work. The last laugh was mine however as this manager was in touch with me very soon after I left to ask if I’d like to go back even if just as a knowledge resource for the team. He said he didn’t realise how much I contributed until I left. To be honest he did not have the skills or experience to lead the team. I declined.

So I would say to get HR on board as well as Occupational Health. The days are long gone when Fybro is brushed aside.

Good luck.

[Tommygurl in reply to Christmas-star]

Thank you for your reply .Bet he was gutted when you declined haha his own fault .

I work in hospitality on housekeeping I am a room checker , sometimes I do rooms .

I am good at my job and my manager knows this !

You just can't speak to her she shuts you down straight away. I showed her my evidence of being diagnosed with fibromyalgia last February, she had no clue about fibromyalgia.

Someone on here sent me the handbook which I asked my manager if I can send it to her she said yes I also said I'd send it to her manager she told me not to as she won't even read it 🤷‍♀️.

Now my manager has a new manager I mentioned to her did she know I have fibromyalgia she said know , next time I see her on Tuesday I want to ask her if HR knows about this .. the problem is I don't know how to approach her and what to say to her xx

[LauLau212]

Hi there

HR can use the information regarding your health/disability to help you with reasonable adjustments in the workplace and to potentially ensure any sickness absence is logged in a different way than usual when it’s due to your long term health condition. Most of the time they’ll do this through an occupational health professional review, by getting you to see a specialist if that’s what is wanted/needed, so they get a better understanding of what impact your condition has on your ability to do the job as per job specifications. It can be very helpful although some people would rather not declare it or see occy health. It depends on how you’re coping and if you feel you’d be better off with adjustments to support you at this time to avoid burning out, or further sickness absence.

Hope that helps x

[Tommygurl in reply to LauLau212]

Thank you so much for this information much appreciated x