Registered Disabled

[Rarah]

Registered Disabled. Does any one know how you become registered disabled. My works attendance policy states consideration will be given to absences resulting from an illness where the employee is registered didabled

[helixhelix]

I think your employer needs to join the 21st century and read the 2010 Equality Act. There is no such thing as being a registered disabled person - you can be registered as blind, or deaf in order to get certain types of help, but that's entirely different as it's about being eligible for specific support. The idea of having a register of disabled people strikes me as going back to times when lepers had to walk around with a handbell yelling "unclean, unclean!". Ugh!

You're disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if "you have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities." So in terms of RA you could either be disabled or not depending on how the disease affects you. Anyway, if you have trouble I would challenge your employers about this. You have an incurable disease that requires medical treatment, and can cause significant impairment. And if they don't accept this then they are in breach of the Equality Act!

[Rarah in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you so much what you say is exactly my understanding. Recently I've had to defend why I've had some time off following a rather traumatic year with ra. They quoted this to me at the time I argued re equality act they swiftly moved on!

[Hobbits in reply to helixhelix]

Helix I thin your description says it all... And the comment about 'the times of lepars' sure made me giggle, l think emoyees should be held accountable for the stress they put people through.

*think

[nomoreheels]

Helix has given you some excellent advice, nothing to add to it except you might find the following link useful when stating your case with your employer or HR dept.

hse.gov.uk/disability/law.htm

[wiliby]

Hi, following the previous advice with experience of this.... my HR dept sent me to Occupational Health (a private company which they paid for)

During this visit they assessed my needs and put back recommendations which included the fact that I was covered under the Equality Act. When I was off for a period of time which resulted in a back to work interview I did state that I was concerned about these back to work meetings are a beginning to say I'm unfit. HR immediately arranged a meeting with the feedback from the report, line manager and myself and ensured me that this was only a procedure that would benefit and support my illness and not in any way lead to disciplinary/job lose. They openly admitted 'they could touch me with a barge pole'!!! they were following strict policies and didn't want any nasty surprises in my leaving work because they couldn't accommodate.

So, sorry to the point, ask to be referred to Occupational health who will state this to them

[Rarah in reply to wiliby]

There are recommendations made by occupational health which they are choosing to ignore

[wiliby]

ah, then you have a very strong case against them should you go down the unfair dismissal, speak to Citizens advice, they were really helpful in the past.

[wiliby]

sorry, fire alarm went off! I have been through what you are now and eventually went down an official complaint in writing with bullet points of where they were failing to comply. Amazing what the mention of breach of equality can do! but I don't know about you it really affected my confidence at work having to continuously justify my ability to work!

[EmmaS-NRAS NRAS]

Hi Rarah,

Lots of helpful advice above but do also have a look at the work section of our website nras.org.uk/work for a few further articles on this topic. We also have two publications which may be of interest, one for the employee and one for employers. nras.org.uk/publications

Of course, the Helpline team at NRAS can also help if you have any further questions. (0800 298 7650)

Best wishes

Emma- NRAS

[earthwitch]

As others have said, there is no such thing as "registered disabled" any more, however if you need to "prove" disability, there are a number of ways you can do it: most obvious are receipt of DLA/PIP or holding a blue badge, but if you don't have that, then something as simple as a letter from your doctor stating that you suffer from a chronic long term condition that causes you disability should be enough. Sounds like you need a bit of advocacy help though to deal with not very helpful bosses, in which case having a chat to the disability person at CAB might be useful.

[Rarah]

Thanks everyone. You advice and guidance is most appreciated.

[Hidden]

Oh rarah I do feel for you. I had a lot of trouble with my acting manager when I went off sick with a new very painful condition in my feet. When I was called in for an informal meeting a few weeks later I took my union rep and the acting manager was nice as pie. I dread to think what she would have said if the rep hadn't been there. After 8 months off sick and lots of support from the brilliant occi health doctor I resigned as I knew that I could no longer do the job. Be strong, use NRAS and cab for help and guidance don't let them push you around. Hope you feel better soon. K x