Today, after three years of illness affecting my work I was finally dismissed on the grounds of ill health. I've been in employment since the age of 16 and full-time since the age of 20. The hearing was conducted in a very professional manner and I had excellent union support, however the outcome was inevitable as I am no longer in a position to work despite being only 35.
I dont think it has sunk in yet and I suspect that I will feel a bit lost in the days and weeks to follow. Once thing I would say is that I was dreading the hearing and it was not as bad as I had envisaged it would be. It was simply a formality and it was repeatedly pointed out that the outcome was the result of my health and not any stain on my character.
I'd like to thank you all for your support, especially whisperit and Barnclown for their kind messages.
Big gulp, a new sort of life for me.
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happytulip
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Oh my goodness - that must have been quite distressing for you HappyTulip. Have you got some kind of ongoing support from work or from your union now that has happened? What are your plans from here - I'm not sure what happens about seeking work with a chronic health condition or will you now have to apply for disability benefit?
I finished a 12 months contract at the end of March - I was only working 21 hours a week but even that proved to be too much for my health. I'm not working now but do need to get some kind of job as I'm not on any benefits apart from child related ones. I've only been into the JobCentre once a few years ago when my husband lost his job but they told me that they don't help people like me and told me to go to an employment agency. I couldn't face that so never did.
You sounds quite positive about facing your brave new life and I wish you all the very best with whatever the next steps might bring for you. x
Thank you. At the moment my rheumatologist and GP feel that I am not well enough for any form of sustainable work. I have gone from being super active to disabled by this condition with no effective treatment found, as yet.
My main aim is to now focus on my health and do everything I can I get myself into a position where I can possibly live alone independently. Once that is sustainable I may look at volunteer work. We'll see. Its baby steps from here.
I must reduce my pred which is currently 16.5mg, thats the next challenge which brings about its out issues!
Sounds like a good plan to work on your health for now - I hope you've got a really good support network around you to help you through all this. My last job came through volunteering so that too can prove to be a step in a new direction for you in due course. Take good care of yourself!
Ah, just got this, HT. Glad to hear it was conducted with some compassion, but obviously it is a big step in life.
Like you say, it will take a while to sink in and I'm sure the next few weeks will feel very strange. You are right, though, time is on your side and in due course, you may find yourself in a place where you can use your skills and experience in a different setting.
Meantime, be good to yourself. Keep in touch, Lupus warrior: goddess class.
Mx
Hey this is such good news HT - I'm so pleased for you it must be a great weight off your mind. And with this burden lifted who knows how much better your Lupus might become over time. 🤞🏽😘👏🏼👍🏻🌼
Hi happytulip .So sorry to hear your news,it must have been quite an ordeal for you.However as they have pointed out to you at the hearing you can take comfort in the fact that its no reflection or stain on your character ,it is your health thats let you down. But I expect that feeling is still a bit raw at the moment.
Your first priority is getting your health improved to allow you to live independantly and then depending on progress you can plan your next steps from there.
Your idea of maybe volunteer work when you are up to it is good.You can keep in touch with the working world and also keep meeting new people ,you never know what new opportunities will present themselves.
In the meantime chin up,move onwards and upwards and concentrate on you.
Take care happytulips
Crusee
XX
This must be upsetting for you!
But you must think about your health!
Have you thought about doing a small job from home? To fit around your health!
I'm currently working as a volunteer to suit my needs as I cannot go back to work yet. I had 2 part time jobs last year, I got so ill ,I had to leave. I'm looking to go back to work now! I feel useless and money is so tight at home.
I'm seriously thinking about doing a job from home!
I wish you lots of luck and I hope your health recovers quickly!
Thank you. I do keep thinking about work but the reality is that I am too unwell to work at the moment and any return to work will only cause further problems.
I am able to leave the house about twice a week at the moment and that is only for trips to go food shopping or docs etc.
GP wants to sign me off indefinitely but I have asked him to review it in December.
Exiting from work is a trial no matter how it's conducted, and the last few years have obviously been stressful for you as well. The most difficult thing (something I'm trying to think through right now) is to give yourself permission to rest and recover. Speaking as someone who's identity is tied up with being financially independent, I know how tough that one is.
We know that stress exacerbates Lupus though, so it does need thinking through.
Good luck. Take long walks. Look at trees. Do some pilates. Eat well x
I'm glad it was handled so well HT. When I took early medical retirement it was done in a similar way ( granted, it was not dismissal) . Absolutely no reflection on my abilities, a guarantee of a reference reflecting my high performance prior to and between periods of sick leave etc. The biggest achievement was getting the early medical retirement because they are extremely tight on that.
It feels very strange at first, but you are following the right direction. Health first, and the goal of being able to live by yourself.
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