Do you feel totally supported at work ? - LUPUS UK
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unfortunately I am unable to work now.
When I did work, i was often called into the office for "a chat" as illness was not really allowed. When I went on long term sick after a suspected stroke ( I have APS as well as Lupus) it was another department that raised a collection for me. I was then made redundant whilst off sick.
My line manager and colleagues have been very supportive. Unfortunately under company policy if you have a certain amount of time off sick then you are subject to formal procedures. I was admitted into hospital in August and returned five weeks later after being placed on steroids, intensive Vit B treatment and methotrexate. I had my back to work interview 1 month after returning to work and was informed that due to me having five weeks off work I will automatically be subject to stage 2 formal procedures and will be reviewed on a yearly basis. I am worried sick about the meeting and worried that I may have to take further sick leave within the next year as my illness is unpredictable and so is the medication that I am on. There are only 3 stages 
x x x
Sounds like the NHS where i work. So easy for ANYONE, higher grade or lower grade earners to hit stage 1 but after coming off that after 3 months clear of absences you will hit stage 2 on any more absense thereafter. You do not have a return on a stage 1 ever again. Harsh for anyone who's been in hospital for a scheduled op or for an emergency situation where you may have been on a potential death bed. H.R. don't give a fig. You're out!
The Equality Act states that you should not be discriminated against in any way because of your disability. This applies not only to your existing role, but to all aspects of employment, including recruitment processes, training opportunities, promotion and redundancy.
For example, if you need to take leave because of your lupus, it is good practice on the part of the employer to discount this in any calculations on performance related pay or enhancements, or in counting total sickness absence when starting disciplinary procedures relating to sickness absence. Such absences would be regarded as disability leave and not sick leave, although they may be included in your employer’s calculations of your entitlement to sick pay.
All that you say is true but this did not save my job. I worked for the Ministry of Defence for over 25years and as my conditions got worse I slowly decreased my hours (took some 10 years). I was eventually dismissed on grounds of ill health as my Lupus/Fibro was so erractic that a normal working life became impossible.
I find because I don't look sick hence according to the work I am not sick. In the nine years I have been with my firm I did not take off sick or do anything (see Docs etc) in work hours, but now that I have to see specialists during working hours I am made to feel uncomfortable.
I am totally unsupported at work, its a nightmare.
Im often told I must be fine as I look fine, in truth I have many illnesses 7 of which are life threatening, it doesnt matter what I say or how much information I give my employers, they just dont care. I have ordered information packs from lupus uk and leaflets from the lupus unit at st thomas's and have given them all to my manager, they went straight in my personal file without being read. I have to take annual leave to attend hospital appointments. I had to use a wheelchair recently due to a massive flare, I was told to stay at home as they didnt have enough room for my wheelchair and it wasnt the 'look' they wanted for the customers.
Unfortunately I need this job.
I work for UNISON, a trade union, and they are fantastic. I even had my manager going around the office cleaning with anti-bacterial spray beacuse I am on immuno-suppresants. If you are having problems at work, I advise you to talk to your union (you need to join 1st) and they will ensure your rights are being upheld.
I WAS really supported at work, they bent over backwards trying 2 make things easier 4 me but after having 13 continuous months off sick, we mutually agreed 2 terminate my contract.
Was employed at senior level, had a bad flare and within 5 months had been retired on ill health grounds. A record! Support poor - they ticked the boxes but in reality did nothing. Better off health wise can rest or take it at own speed. Pains and aches still there and new symptoms arise frequently, now have hyperthyroid and suspected angina. Can deal with these knowing I don't have full time stressful job to contend with. We all need to remember that rest and reduced stress does help along with good meds taken as prescribed and use our gps and consults wisely.
I can still sing, but my appearence changed fore the worse. People don't treat me the same or give me a chance like before...
