Rheumatoid arthritis and work.

[gailyb]

Hi I've been diagnosed with Ankylosing spondylitis about 3 months ago and I'm off work at the moment with it. My work place are not very helpful and make me feel guilty about it. My whole body is so painful. I don't know very much about my condition. I know my ESR is 107mm/h, And CRP is 96mg/l. so my rheumatology nurse gave me a sick note. I was brought into work yesterday, and was told the company is reducing my hours from 34 to 25 per week. I've been with the company for over 20 years and never been ill, Just started with these symptoms when a new company took over. So fed up. The company said they will also get occupational health involved after my GP wrote to them. They say it's a cost to them. I'm so upset. I cannot sleep.

[trish1957]

Hi I had a similar experience to with a company I worked for and resigned in August 2016. The stress and the pressure they put me under was making me worse so I understand what your going through. Get your union involved if you have one and acas can give you lots of advice. Give NRAS helpline a call they will be able to point you on the right direction. Don't let them bully you out !

Take care and good luck.

Trish

[gailyb in reply to trish1957]

Thank you so much for your advice. What a shame you gave up your job, I know what you mean about the pressure. One of my colleagues came over to me in work and said that we don't carry people in this branch. I'm seeing my RA nurse on Friday so will mention it to her. I also feel like throwing in the towel . Horrible place to work. I cannot move branches either as I suggested to my regional manager. I'm going to fight it. Kind regards, Gail.

[Amhoarten]

Sorry but can they just reduce your hours like that? Surely they need to allow you get get though this stage then review? To be honest don't think of Occupational Health as a bad thing they should actually help you in ensuring things are out in place to help you and if that means reduceing hours for a little while or allowing you a few extra breaks etc then your company should accept that. I've had experience of someone I worked with being forced out of their job in a similar way and what I would say is get advice, press to see occupational health and don't allow them to just reduce hour hours and bully you out. You have rights and they are preying on you when you are at a low. All this stress won't be helping and I hope you get this sorted.

[gailyb in reply to Amhoarten]

Thank you so much for your advice. I will mention it to the Occupational health, On my back to work interview I suggested a phased back to work but the manager said no my hours have already been changed. I have been absent from work for 2 months and I'm only being paid sick for the 25 hours not the hours that I have been contracted to 20 years ago. Apparently because this new company have taken over 2 years ago my contract means nothing. Will also contact my wages dept asap. Kind regards, Gail.

[Hidden]

First I'd like to inform you that i don't live in the UK. Having said that, once occupational health became involved with my work situation, the harrassment from my boss stopped. My country's laws are based on the UK's laws, so occupational health is on your side.

If you belong to a union, then get them involved in your case. My union was my savior. Also, I am sure you can seek information on your rights as a disabled worker from your elected government official Best of luck to you.

[gailyb in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[Ali_H]

Hi,

Don't go to any meeting alone, always have a 'witness'. Friend, family member or preferably a union rep. Reply to any spoken exchange with a follow up email that states clearly what they said (I.e "re your suggestion about cutting my hours from 34 to 26 hours a week made yesterday when I delivered to you my sick note dated .... I respectfully ask that we wait for the OH report and their expert guidance before making any such decision.")

All emails are legal documents and can be used in any tribunal situation - all my emails were cc to my union rep at the same time as sending them to my employer so that my employer could see that I was keeping the union informed and the emails were also forwarded to my own non-work email address as were any replies I got so that I could access them if ousted out and no longer able to access my work email account... no tribunal happened and when declared fit I returned to work. I arranged for Access To Work to come in. They made several recommendations of which only one was implemented and if ever it is said that I am not keeping up with the paperwork the report is my ace in the pack and I will produce it as evidence that I have not been appropriately enabled to keep on to of the paperwork but in my current situation I know that I can ask for extra support if I am lagging behind with the paperwork but the boss may change in the future and I may just need it.

Don't waste your energy on worrying cos it feeds into their need to 'get rid' and yes it will 'cost them' so what! They have insurance for this kind of situation expenditure and you've saved them loads over the years with no sick days - your responsibilities lie with looking after you and getting your health back on track and that requires good quality sleep amongst other things.

All the best

Ali

[gailyb in reply to Ali_H]

Thank you so much Ali, Your advice is a godsend. Having a flare up at the moment with all this. I'm seeing my RA nurse on Friday so will mention it also. Kind regards. Gail.