Understanding work colleagues : Over a year ago I... - LUPUS UK

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Understanding work colleagues

20 Replies

Over a year ago I posted about my work colleague and his understanding or lack of understanding about my lupus and what I was going through. The constant little jokes about being sick again, catching every bug going, having to take time off etc etc. Said person has now left my work to take up a position in another part of the company nationally and I was on the phone them the other day at work. He asked me what I was doing regards to working etc due to the covid19 situation and the advise to social distance. He had the cheek to say that instead of taking the train I should take my car to work as I I won't come into contact with people that way. As I'm on home dialysis too I replied that's not feasible as I don't usually disconnect until about 7 in the morning. He then said I think you should still go into work and get a private room to avoid contact and it'll still look good with people that I'm still making the effort to get into work at this delicate time. I lost it and said to him and what part of social distancing don't you understand? I get the flu jag, have lupus, on dialysis and in the high risk category of catching this bugger. I'm following the guidelines to minimize the risk of contact with anyone and he still thinks I should risk it all just to show face to look good. My health comes first and foremost and I I aren't risking it for anyone. I didn't actually realise that people could still be so arrogant and stupid, how wrong I was!

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20 Replies
CarolMcl profile image
CarolMcl

What an arse!!

There’s always at least one, right?

I really admire you for continuing to work, to have been going in to work, while on dialysis. That’s pretty major.

Don’t let him get you down. You obviously are a strong person. Be proud of all you do!

in reply to

Thank you

Northernd profile image
Northernd

What a twat, most people have no idea, I'm surprised he's been promoted with an IQ like that.

Salzer profile image
Salzer

Unbelievable! Some people don't have a clue do they? I'm glad you set him straight. You are amazing coping with dialysis and still working. Staying safe in these crazy times is the most important thing. S

KayHimm profile image
KayHimm

Your post makes me want to cry. Just know that this is the lowest of human compassion and understanding. It is not for this supervisor to decide what « looks good » and what doesn’t. The government has issued guidelines for people like you. He needs to look at them.

You have our support. And you go into work every day with a serious chronic illness. You really deserve more compassion than this.

Wishing you strength to navigate this.

K

Barnsey85 profile image
Barnsey85

He sounds like a first class 🔔🔚

happytulip profile image
happytulip

I'm usually very careful about what I write on this forum so I don't come across as rude or offensive.

But for such an extreme case of idiocy I'm breaking my rules and declaring that person to be a complete DICKHEAD!

Don't let it wind you up, it will only fuel lupus, think calming things x

in reply to happytulip

🤭HT, I did not know you had that in you. 🤣

happytulip profile image
happytulip in reply to

15 year career working in an Emergency Dept, I've dealt with my fair share of "interesting people." I had to learn how to apply a filter .

Loved the job though. Looking after genuine patients in urgent need. I hate that I can't be there with my ex-colleagues. But they are using me as a sounding board or ranting board and if that helps I'm fine with that!

They are doing an amazing job!

in reply to happytulip

Good for you! And your beautiful flowers provide a balance and an outlet for you! I love it!

I'm guessing you are not in a union. Not everyone wants to join a union but at times like this their backup and legal department can be very useful.

His attitude seems very intimidating. There are currently still laws in place that should be protective for you.

in reply to overnighthearingloss

My current boss has been absolutely brilliant, totally understanding. He has told me that my health is more important and I should work from home. It's so good to have a boss like that. Glad I only have to talk to the other person now and again on the phone and not have to deal with them on a daily basis.

Kevin53 profile image
Kevin53

Idiots are there to be ignored. Best wishes Kevin

Hamptons profile image
Hamptons

Did you say I could do lots of things to make me better but you will still be an ignorant a***hole?

Roarah profile image
Roarah

Here in the state's most workers have been told as a nation if you can work from home to do so regardless of your health. Only pharmacies, supermarkets, factories and hospitals are open. Restaurants are take out only. Bars, malls , movie theaters, hairdressers, nail salons you name have been asked to close.

I am in Connecticut on the metro north line into NYC so we are in a hotspot but the national government is asking all states to precede this way. Hopefully , like our school closures, you are only a week away from these measures too.

Take care.

in reply to Roarah

Thanks, for some strange reason we in Britain are the last to do everything. We should be in complete lockdown already but no we'll dilly dally in doing so and wait until the last second.

Kazunlocked profile image
Kazunlocked

Why talk to him? Does a business discussion give him entree to harass you? Wherever possible don't engage with this guy. He sounds like a bully & also a bit dim. Best Wishes to you.

Geordie-Y profile image
Geordie-Y

Mate, no offence here but after suffering from SLE for the best part of thirty years , I think this is most people’s attitude to us . Apart from the day to day changes in what we suffer, the hardest thing to deal with is what we think other people’s opinion of us actually is. I worked in the aerospace industry for over thirty years in repair and overhaul where at an hours notice I might have to fly to Timbuktu ( not literally) and I would need to collate all the different drugs and skin emollients if it was somewhere like the Middle East or Far East so I really get what you’re saying. After about the first ten years of having the concern about other people’s thoughts, I said to myself who flicking cares what other people think, this is about me and my determination to still be an integral part of the world.

So like you said it’s about you and try to forget about what other people might think.

Onwards and upwards for us all.

Forgot2mention profile image
Forgot2mention

Unfortunately thee is always one arsehole who makes life difficult for people. I have to say since all this started with my granddaughter my mind has been opened up about mental health, at her worst she was violent and tried to run in front of a bus, so please ignorant people of the world if you see a child/ adult having a temper tantrum don’t just assume that’s what it is, chances are they do NOT know what they are doing.

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