Feeling discriminated against on my return to work....

[Houghton73shaw]

I am , and I say against the advice of my GP and family( Rhuemy says entirely up to me) returning to work after 5months off. This was since the diagnosis of lupus and various other endocrine diseases. I am feeling better in myself ,although still struggle terribly with the fatigue. I am a manager for a very public organisation and yes,at times it can be very stressful but we have been surviving on my SSP ( company policy is 1 month and 1/2 month for every year worked). I originally had to have 6 weeks off in June when my liver became enlarged and various operations on bile ducts...

I did a phased return and received full pay but this time I have been told that I will only recieve pay for the hours worked...and they have set it for 15 hours to increase hour in the first month and increase days in the second month. I know the policy is normally phased return and full pay.

I really feel discrimated against because I have LUPUS... Even my senior boss had said that 'normally' people received full on phased but this is what HR manager had advised him( obviously,questioned him when he said "I'll send to HR to make amendments for pay) .it's really making me want to say 'stuff your job' ...I am only going back really because to support my family as we've struggled over the last few months ...... I really don't need the stress! Not looking forward to Monday now

[Natura]

Sorry about the work news. I need to work as well since we r struggling terribly financially. It's a hard decision, but when you are disrespected at work, even harder to stay.. Good luck with your decision. I had to leave my last job because of the way the CEO treated temps in the office. It was in my book, discriminatory. I don't have the energy to fight anymore. I try not to look back at my decision and regret it. keep moving forward in a positive way..looking for that opportunity. I volunteer at a care facility giving food to those in need. Makes me feel good to help others in a bad situation - not being able to afford food.

[Houghton73shaw in reply to Natura]

Thanks Natura, my sister is a life coach, so she keeps me positive but after the conversation today...I do feel very deflated! It's like they are testing me in the next month to see if I able to work , prejudging me because of my condition! Just frustrated because he said " learn the business again" I am not stupid just my legs and hands don't work properly...... I suppose I will try my best and see what happens!

I totally understand what you mean about volunteering, in my previous role for a well known telecoms business...I was the ambassador for sports relief and we did numerous events for charities...it's paying it forward , giving back to communities that creates that good feeling inside....

[Natura in reply to Houghton73shaw]

Try is all we can do. My hands don't work that well either. I blamed it on my brain...maybe all along it was always lupus. Another reason I don't know if I can work. Sometimes I am so dizzy I can't think straight. Whatever happens you will be ok. Take care...

[MargaretGail]

This is truly worrying, I too am a manager at a very public company off sick for 7 weeks so far. I expect that like me you don't normally have to rock the boat too much to get what you want and are shocked at this. If you want to chat privately let me know x

[Houghton73shaw in reply to MargaretGail]

Hi Margaret, I've done it for my own staff...who came back with far less serious conditions. It feels like that I am being set up to fail before I've even step foot back through the door sounds like a good idea to have a chat x

[MargaretGail in reply to Houghton73shaw]

Well I made it through the wedding - just. Hyped up on double dose steroids!

My email address is [e-mail]

[MargaretGail]

Yes I know what you mean.

It's my son's wedding day today so I will be in touch.

[Houghton73shaw]

Have a wonderful day, speak soon x

[Lupylass]

Hi there.

The company should have a sick leave policy - can you ask for a copy of that? If it doesn't cover phased return within the policy, ask how it is calculated.

In my previous organisation I got 3 months full sick pay and 3 months half pay. Any phased return incorporated the full/half pay rule from the sick leave; so they treated and hours/days I didn't work as sick leave and paid me accordingly, up to the 3 or 6 month cut off.

It's also worth checking you don't have an Income Protection policy - either yourself or as part of your workplace benefits. It might help pay your income if you continue to be off work.

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I've been there, and the added stress doesn't help us!

[Houghton73shaw]

Thanks luppylass,

I thought I knew the policy for phased returns, as I dealt with them day in day out....

Full pay for phased returns but now, with me ...they are paying for hours worked , perhaps like you suggested treating the other days off as sick! Thinks Thais is why I feel so dejected...like they are waiting for me to say I can't cope. They were actually surprised when I said I wanted to come back....

Let's see how Monday goes!

[misty14]

Hi Houghton

I'm sorry to hear of your work problems, as if being ill isn't enough to deal with!

What could help you is if you go to your local Citizen's Advice Bureau as they have employment advisors who help on all things to do with work. Good Luckx

[Houghton73shaw in reply to misty14]

Good idea, I hadn't thought of that...I am sure they don't realise that's stress makes things worse! Thanks for the suggestion xx

[Hidden]

Ask for your policy on attendance mgmt. you should always have a copy at home to refer to. I work in HR. They cannot treat you differently because of your disability or any reason. As in writing ( email) why you are being treated differently regarding the phased return pay. Keep copies of all such correspondence. Employers have to make and exhaust all reasonable adjustments too, upon ur return to work. You have rights under the equality act (disability discrimination). Dont let them do this to u. Xx

[MargaretGail]

I have to say that I hadn't considered Lupus to be a disability until my GP pointed it out last week. Even though I'm struggling I hasn't considered it!

[Signlady]

I'm just sending my love & positive energies to you so you know you're not alone

I'm self employed and run a successful business after 26 years of struggle with illness, lupus, asthma, vertebral disc degeneration, diabetes & now hypothyroid but do you know, although I struggle, I am proud to be able to say I'm working despite my illnesses, they WILL NOT define me!!!

Don't get me wrong, I work from home so am very lucky, I also employ my daughter who has lupus & diabetes & my husband who has arthritis ! We laugh at ourselves and thank God that we have a sense of humour!

Good luck to you & I pray you'll do really well, just pace yourself & don't be hard on yourself!!!

Take care, signlady