Occupational health and lupus query

[jennawings]

I am a secondary school science teacher and my head teacher is going to get in contact with occupational health following my recent lupus diagnosis. Has anyone had any experience with occupational health in secondary school following a lupus diagnosis? What sort of things can they do for me?

[Tonkawoman69]

Hi Im Andrea and Im a primary school teacher. I've been off school since last Semptember 2012. I've been to OH meeting 3 times now. All they do is ask you questions about your illness and talk through the medication you are on and they will probably want to see maybe a a letter from your consultant but remember you don't have to tell them every. You are in control of what you want to say. They could ask permission to write to your doctor. But its, to also cover the schools back in case they need to adjust your environment so that you are more comfortable and they can adjust your working hours etc. This is so they can put in place this gs that make your life easier. You will come under the disability act so they have to consider your ability and adjust things ors they can be liable to be sued by you. But there is always and eliment that its for them to find out whether you can meet your commitment. I obviously havnt fulfilled my work commitments and have already attended two Long Term Sickness Reviews and now they are pushing things towards ending my employment with the school under ill health. So for me its curtains lol but doesn't mean I can't return. Teaching is a tough stressful job like many other people in different careers. You might have to consider part time or having a bit of ti e out as it will not help your lupus with high stress levels. hope that helps?

Andrea

[jayfer]

I worked for the local council and was off sick due to lupus. OH said I didn't come under disability act until 6 month off work. They did nothing to help me back into work even part time and I was finished due to ill health 18 mth later. I was told I could apply for pension.... long story but I did get my preserved benefit pension, I'm still fighting for ill health pension 5 yrs later. Jennawings, you don't say if you have been off work due to your lupus so unsure as to how they will help, but good luck, best wishes , hope it all goes well for you

[jennawings in reply to jayfer]

I have not been signed off sick since February when I was signed off for 6 days, this was before lupus was even queried and when the doctor thought I was a hypochondriac. I have a few days here and there where I have to have days off due to exhaustion but I really don't want to get to a point where I have to be signed off of work. Can OH help avoid situations like that or are they purely for people who have already had long term sickness?

[Slowmo]

Hi there, Occ health can help and have a duty to assist/support you to fulfil your role, this can include looking at ways to make your work life easier, e.g. for me that would mean less travelling. In your situation it could mean having gaps between lessons (maybe not sure how that would work out for you?) but measures can be put in place to help you not get so exhausted that you go off sick with exhaustion. If you needed it they can negotiate/liaise with your employer to change or reduce hours, or ensure that you're not on your feet all day by providing appropriate seating with any adjustments necessary. They could for example suggest that lighting (if that affected you?) was changed to meet your needs. Basically they can negotiate for your employer to implement any 'reasonable adjustments' under the Disability Discrimination Act. SLE does come under DDA and don't let anyone tell you different, without going into all the legal jargon the illness meets the criteria defined within the DDA.

Remember they don't tend to be out to get you, occ health can advocate on your behalf, and despite working for your employer their aim is to keep you in work and implementing adjustments is usually more cost effective than paying someone long term sick leave.

All the best, keep us informed and don't be anxious, it won't help your symptoms.

[jayfer]

Hi, Jennawings, I believe they should help you manage your work so that you are able to continue, and you are doing right by telling them. Think of what would make your job easier, does the lighting hurt your eyes, the chair not comfortable, work load could be lightened maybe- no detention duties etc. - remember they can't help if they don't know what you need. I hope the head is bringing OH in for your benefit and all goes well x

[jennawings]

Great help from you all thanks!! A colleague has had OH for herself because she was off sick with depression for a long time and advised it maye be best asking their opinion so I asked my HT if it would be possible and she is contacting them.

Lighting is something that effects me, I have super sensitive eyes and easily get migraines and combine that with difficulties I have with dyslexia and irlen syndrome I found the lighting very stressful on my eyes. Thankfully after months of pestering, I now have daylight bulbs which seem to be helping.

I'm trying to think about what would make my job easier and it's hard to think (I thought it would be so simple) because my main problem is the fatigue and without going part time (I can't afford that) I can't think what could be done. The late nights with parents evenings are very hard and the large amount of marking but they are my responsibilities as a teacher and not sure how they'd help them.

[lennox]

I work for a company on behalf of my local council and After a flear up from lupus was put on a warning, lucky for me I put in my application form I had this , although at the time but I had a now boss and when I come back from sick leave he had meetings with me, lupus comes under the disability act and OH went through my illness with me how it make me feel what medication I take, and what they could do to help me, I requested to work from home as it would make my life easy and our company allow this, they agreed with me and I was removed from my warning a lupus attack is not classed as sick as we are not in control of glare ups and as they know stress makes it worse, don't be worried about OH they are there for u as much as the company and have to help you as much as possible, it all worked in my favour, I allowed them to see my hospital records even though they didn't, as I feel I had nothing to hide, when sick I don't even move from my bed, good luck

[amita_valmiki]

My institute have been very very kind to me. They have provided me with lots of amenities like relaxing chair, AC or a couch. Sometimes they do find me problematic, but they said they want me. In fact for me it is other way round. I too want them. Though I suffer from autoimmune Wegeners, my lungs get affected. Believe me, if you decide, it really works. But in my case I confided every thing to my authorities. No doubt some months salary has been cut, but they did not fire me. I am trying to give my best. Initially I listened to my body, now my body has to listen to me. I really hope every thing is fine with you. With kind regards.

[Hanny]

Mine was a very positive experience, I too was a secondary school teacher. My work station was adjusted, a good ergonomic chair purchased, a roll ball mouse, arm rests for computer work, blinds for shade from the sun.... as your condition changes you can go back for further help and the school can apply for financial help, eg if later you are less mobile and cannot reach to write on the board there are movable boards available.

I am a positive person and try to approach things like this as if people really want to help, it was surprising how many teachers seem to develop 'back' problems once I got my new chair.

Best of all no more hours in the sun on sports day! Good luck, be honest and don't forget 'its your right'.

[Hidden]

OH have power to get your employer to make reasonable changes for you, can give you support and possible help, recommend ways of dealing with things, etc. I have seen them twice- I was off sick for 5 months with PND and since being diagnosed I have been sent to check how well I am coping. The employer has to listen to them too, and your GP. I am in a situation where I want to increase my hours, but because of my Lupus and other health issues HR are concerned and will not allow it. I have to see OH again and my GP to see if they will support me! Good luck! Stacey