Shift work with an MPN

[Melaniem59]

Hello

Just asking if anyone has experience with working nights, irregular shifts with an MPN & the effects

I’m trying to get an alleviation with my job to do day shifts instead of nights

I’m cabin crew & the international flights with the additional fatigue are killing me but my employer is reluctant to help

Wondering if anyone else had similar experience & managed to get changes

They are aware of the equalities act & reasonable changes but not willing to make any adjustments

Thankyou for any information, I’m preparing my case at the moment

Melanie

[SuET2017]

hi, blood cancer U.K. were really supportive and informative when I was in negotiations with my employer regarding change of working conditions due to my MPN fatigue. My situation wasn’t the same as yours (not shift work), but I was successful in getting a solution that suited both the business and myself. It Might be worth contacting them. They helped with writing letters, and even offered to attend meetings if they were able, which I didn’t need but it was good knowing I had the support.

[Andrew8]

Make a formal request to your employer in writing, on safety grounds to you and clients. Do you have an employee representation organisation ? Otherwise look for another job, your own health must come first.

[eladhil]

hey. I worked shifts for 20 years. Then got a stroke and after that discovered with p.v. One of the doctor said that because of the p.v I׳ve got the stroke. You can’t know if the fatigue is only from your disease or because of the shifts. There are a lot of researches on working shifts and health. It’s not healthy to work on shifts and don’t sleep at night. My advice to you is trying to avoid working on shifts if it is possible. Keep your health. Good luck

[Yanks7]

In the U.S., employers have the burden of making "reasonable accommodations" for employees who qualify for such consideration under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a member of management (now retired) I was amazed what we were able to do for people (employees) when we embraced the spirit of this legislation. I don't know anything about U.K. legislation, but worth looking into. Generally, larger companies have much more latitude to make "reasonable accommodations" than smaller companies with limited resources. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your progress.

[Minu68]

Hi Melanie, I worked shifts that were all over the place for 3 years, and fatigue was a real issue. I survived on coffee and regular intake of protein/carbs/dried fruit in smaller amount rather than having a full meal. I now realise that I always get tired after eating a full meal, something I shared at an MPN forum, and it was also an issue for others in the group I was in. In the end I had to stop working due to needing a hip replacement, a year's delay then followed due to covid... so they had to let me go. I now know I will not do such shifts again, for my health. Drinking less coffee, but also being able to take my Hydroxy at a regular time, before I go to sleep, so the nausea I get from it passes whilst I sleep. I am very aware of my fatigue still, but it is much easier to manage now I don't work shifts anymore.

Our condition is a disability, so the disability discrimination act may apply, think the CAB service or similar may be able to check for you and provide information/assistance