Employment with FND

[Lleggy]

In June 2021, son's girlfriend was 7 weeks into a permanent job in a local authority nursery, when she had a non-epileptic seizure at work. Subsequent tests and appointments with a neurologist led, quite swiftly, to a diagnosis of FND. My daughter-in-law returned to work in January this year. Her management team has been very supportive and Occupational Health is involved. She was moved from the nursery into a different role, in a Primary 1 class, so that she would always be working alongside another member of staff. Since her return, she has experienced a couple of seizures at work.

A few weeks ago, my daughter-in-law was told that she is being made redundant, in August. A number of staff within the education service have been told the same, however my daughter-in-law was informed that her sickness record played a part in the decision about her. She has been applying for other positions and was recently successful at an interview with the local authority, only to have the job offer withdrawn once checks were done with the HR team - she was told that she could not fulfil the requirements of the post as it involves working individually with young people.

Understandably, my daughter-in-law is feeling quite despondent about everything job-related, right now. Is there anyone here who has experienced anything similar around employment? Do the decisions that have been taken sound justified and legally correct? Is there any service she should contact for support, going forward?

Thanks in advance for any input you can offer.

[Jofisher]

Hi check this out also speak to the disability helpline and the epilepsy society and you could try access to work a government free body as well and there’s a disability worker at most job centres as well.

Information

[Hraefn]

It doesn't sound very legal to me. I think she should get legal advice.

[Hidden]

Hello Lleggy,

Yes, it took me months to find a job that understood my medical problems and would work with me. I currently do logistics now.

The amount of times I had to slowly limp into an interview room already turned the interview around and felt like I had to climb a mountain. I don't have seizures I have almost lost most motor function in my right arm and leg. So any physical job is out of the question.

I hope your daughter in law finds something that works for her sooner than I did. It wad another mental depressing thing when I couldn't find a job. Especially knowing it's because of my physical body nobody would hire me.

Best,

Matt

[Hjane2]

I have a diagnosis of FND . I was also employed in a primary school for 20 years , the last 5 years working with neurological symptoms that caused a lot of sick leave .

Firstly , all sick leave attributed to FND should be recorded under disability. This is a separate tick box on return to work forms and self cert , unlike colds / coughs etc .

I would ask to see your sick leave record and check if this has been recorded correctly, as you have protection in law due to disability.

Secondly, ask your union for support. They will only attend meetings with you , if you were a member before your current issue , however they will give you verbal advice if not.

I was very fortunate to have a supportive headteacher and neurologist , so my job role changed in the school and ultimately I was in an admin role . My union rep became involved at the end , when my ongoing speech loss affected the admin role and all other avenues had been explored , I was then awarded full ill health retirement .