Off sick with RA for 5 months

[kazbah]

I have been off sick with RA for almost 5 months. I am 57 and aware that the job has contributed to RA flares due to the stress. I am considering resigning, it's a full time job and shift work, and with a difficult manager. I am seeing HR next wee. Can anyone offer me any advice?

[dawniee2121]

The last time i had my veiw back too work was a nitemare...they also demoted me saying my ill health is making it difficult for me to do the job i was experienced for..A LOAD OF TOSH..well personally how do you honestly feel in yourself..are you really up to it...its a TOUGH ONE TO CALL. But if you go back and struggle with it again.it only leaves ONE OPTION. I would really think on about your decision..Good luck xx

[kazbah in reply to dawniee2121]

Thanks for replying. My boss is a tyrant in sheeps clothing, and for a caring job the staff are so uncaring. Really dont know what to do.

[loppyloo12 in reply to kazbah]

I can relate to that hun at the minute I'm being ousted out my job for telling my boss the residents were swimming in there own urine (care home) now no one talks to me and as I got r a they are trying to get me to leave x

[allanah]

Talk to HR, they can be the best thing ever! I was off for one year and then they decided they would let me go in ill health. This meant I could apply for my nhs pension early and HR and occupational health backed me up.

If you resign you may have problems claiming benefits so I advise join a union if your not in one snd have them attend any meetings that your work will ask you to go to. They will be on your side and get you the best deal.

I obviously don't know how this works in your workplace but the union rep will .

Call them. And get support , it's generally very inexpensive and the best thing I did.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Ps don't feel guilty ...... You are ill. Get better first or you may return to work and as your RA isn't controlled you could be back off in a week!

Rest up and don't let the stress get to you. You HR should be aware that RA is a disabling illness and take some Nras leaflets with you.

Nras have done great books on RA for employees and employers do give them a ring and get copies from NRAS . Xx

[kazbah]

Thanks so much. I will let you know how I get on with HR, I am seeing them on 12th. X

[kazbah]

12th January that is x

[flow4]

I'm sorry you're in this position. Extra stress is the last thing you need.

Everything that follows assumes you're in the UK...

As you probably know, all employers are expected to make 'reasonable adjustments' for disabled employees, and what is seen as 'reasonable' depends on the size of the company and the nature of the job. More is expected of bigger organisations. Your employer has an HR department, so I assume it's reasonably large, and the 'reasonable adjustments' it is expected by law to make for you will be fairly significant. They might include transferring you to a different role, reducing your hours, changing your work hours or shift patterns, allowing for rests during shifts, allowing a phased return to work, getting special equipment that would help you do your job like someone without a disability, etc. YOU get to say what you think would help you, but the company can make a case if they don't think what you've asked for is 'reasonable'. Changes that would make things harder for your colleagues, or that don't actually improve your ability to do the job, or that a company truly can't afford, probably wouldn't be considered reasonable. Still, the starting point is that you can ask, and then there is some negotiation with your employer.

So the first thing to do is decide whether you would like to try to go back to work. If so, then think about whether there are changes that would help you do your job. Make a list before your meeting with HR next week, and take it with you. At your meeting, tell/remind HR that you are disabled and that you have identified some things you think are reasonable adjustments to your job, under the terms of the Equalities Act, and you would like to discuss them. You may need another meeting to do this... If your employer does not seem positive and supportive, it would probably be best to get some formal advice from your union or an employment advice service.

If you decide you don't want to return to work, or the negotiations with your employer don't lead to changes that you think will make work possible for you, then there are other options that are better than just resigning. You would almost certainly need professional employment advice at this point. You could go for early retirement on the grounds of ill-health, which will release your pension early. Many large employers like this option, and offer good deals. Or if your employer is unreasonable, you might have a tribunal case against them... Just resigning is a bad option, because then you inevitably lose out unless you start and win a tribunal for 'constructive dismissal', which is hard to prove. Definitely get advice before you take this step.

Good luck! Hopefully, the HR department will be more helpful than you think!

[lornaisobel]

allanahs reply is good - I work part time - no contract just bank relief - I don't tell anyone about my RA at work - I think people notice im a bit lumpy on my hands !!! but I think they put it down to my age - im 68ys. Don't leave your job but look for another less stressful less hours - I know that's less money but its better than no money talk to unions they have -for me- always been helpful and talk to HR they might find you something part time - its a worry for you but good luck xx

[Matilda7]

I ended up resigning after being off sick for over 12 months and the rheumatology consultant refused to support resignation on the grounds of ill health as he said eventually I would be well enough to return. I was 60. I have never felt well enough to return and that was 7 years ago! He wasn't my favourite person. I hope yours is more compassionate.

I agree with all the good advice re HR and unions. I hope you manage to find a good solution.

[kazbah]

Thanks for all the replies and good advice. This forum is so supportive. X

[Hidden]

Think it through with the help of HR and anyone else close to you who might have experience. All the best... Doreen

[oldtimer]

Don't resign. Talk to HR about early retirement due to illhealth. Much better financially.

[Dotty7]

Definitely don't resign. Your employers have a legal obligation to support you as a disabled employee, with "reasonable adjustments". The .gov website has useful information about this. They should also employ qualified Occupational Health advisers to consult with you and your own health team, and explain to your managers what adjustments would help you stay in employment. If they decide not to make those adjustments they have to justify why not. If their justification doesn't seem reasonable you may have grounds for a tribunal. Or they may decide to pay you off with a compromise agreement.

Five months isn't long in rheumatoid terms - we are rarely used to illnesses taking this long to come under control, because we are the antibiotic generation: take these pills and feel better in 48 hours. Try not to let your employers rush/bully you into making a decision. Take lots of professional advice, from your rheumatologist, your union if you have one (and if your workplace rep is no use, consult at area/national level), from the CAB or ACAS, and if necessary consult a solicitor - your home insurance may have legal cover as part of the package, or a local solicitor may provide a fixed fee consultation (but make sure they have expertise in the field of employment/disability law).

Good luck - this kind of thing just adds to the stress which has that added impact on the disease which you DON'T need.

Dotty x

[Gillian1163]

I was in a similar situation aged 57 and a long term sufferer from RA and was offered ill health retirement by HR. Well it actually involves being sacked but my pension was made up to me having worked to 60. Please don't resign wait and see HR. Good luck

[loppyloo12]

look after your self the job will be there long after you will hun you need to think of number one I work in care and since having r a ive been ill so much my managers aint very helpful either but love my job worst still I am the only earner In my house so struggle with having to keep going but please I'm only 38 you have done your share think of you darling and your health take care x