So stressed out, advice needed please.

[willowwag]

Rhumy has just added azathioprene to the mix of meds, and im having to have fortnightly bloods on a tuesday. I can work any day of the week except sundays but i normaly find i have mondays and tuesdays off..told my manager today that i have a scan appointment arrived and will need to have tuesdays off for me to be able to attend...to put it midly she was not happy and said ( but what if it clashes with her holiday week off) as im assistant manager its my job role to cover the store in her absence....but i have been told i must not miss any blood appointment as my tmpt test came bk low and i am in a risk group of developing toxicity...please help i really dont know what to do, and weather i should ring my area manager and ask her is everything ok with me attending my appointment..i know the law states id you disabled you covered by disability right, is lupus coverec and do i have this right..please please help im so stressed out and was in tears after i phoned her she doesnt talk to you she shouts at you. Thank you

[misty14]

Hi Willowwag

Sorry to read of your health and employer problems. Two things to say. Firstly, fortnightly bloods for Azathioprine are only when you start on the drug and if everything is ok they will change to monthly.

Secondly, your employer has got to accommodate your health needs , your quite right in thinking of the Disability Discrimination Act and if I were you I'd get advice from the Cititzens Advice Bureau or other welfare organisations as to your rights and how to deal with your manager . You'll feel better for talking about it . The CAB have a good website, worth looking on it too. Hope I've helped and good luck with your bloods and scan?. X

[MargaretGail in reply to misty14]

There are a couple of really good fact sheets on this site about Lupus and work. One for the Employee and one for the employer.

[misty14 in reply to MargaretGail]

Hi Margaret Gail

That's good about the fact sheets, i'll remember them as we need all the info we can get sometimes!.X

[MargaretGail in reply to misty14]

they gave me the confidence I needed when I was at an all time low.

[Hidden]

What you describe is bullying in the work place. Lupus is covered by the Equalities Act I believe and your manager should be made aware of this. I am shocked that you can be treated so badly.

Misty is right about the blood tests, I had them regularly at first and then was swapped from azathioprine to mercaptopurine (very similar drug) and only have to have a test every three months now. I book it at my GP's surgery at 8.30am and take the results to the hospital when I see the specialist.

Good luck.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi willowwag,

Hi, sorry to hear about the difficulties you are having with your manager. Lupus is covered by the Equality Act and reasonable adjustments should be made to allow you to attend your medical appointments. If you have a look at our two guides for employers and employees you can find out more about your rights and where to get advice and support. You can read them online at lupusuk.org.uk/living-with-...

If you require physical copies, just send me a private message or email [e-mail] with your name and address and I'll pop them in the post for you.

[Hanny]

When I was working I had a written statement which outlined my condition and my needs in the work place, and possible future developments. This was done between the school and county occupational therapist, there should be something similar available to you through your HR department. A written plan will protect you and help you and your workplace plan your future in the work place.

[willowwag]

Thank you all so much for your posts i went to work today (my manager was off so i was running the store) when one of my staff walked in and asked was i ok i burst into tears and well didnt stop all day...at 11:30 i built up the courage to phone my area manager to fill her in on what was done and pass on the information about bloods etc..i was basically told that they do not have to accomadate my hospital blood appointments...i sais i was made to feel under pressure by my manager and i did not feel i was being supported, she then replied saying my manager was prob feeling stressed.as she is worried about a scan she has to have.( basicaly excusing her attitude towards me).. At this point i went to bits i just said...she is taking things out on me because of her stress worrying about something that is prob nothing, when i have a real condition which can not be removed, is getting worse, and that i will have to try and control for the rest of my life.......i feel i need proof in writing that lupus is coverd under disability rights as they are arguing with me that i have no right to be saying i cant cover a tuesday on my bloods week...i dont even think they have looked at tge information i have given about my lupus, let alone know if they should be accomading me by law...im confussed about my rights..i have a rhumy and my lupus nurse said he will ask her to put something in writing if needed, would this cover it....all advice welcome...tomorrow its me and my manager both in all day so should be interesting, if she asks how i am should i tell her i have been upset over this issue. Thank you all so much x