Snow, work and RA

[Angjoplin]

Hi

I'm just wondering how everyone else copes with snow, working, and RA.

I am working from home today, thank the gods. However, another disabled colleague (not RA) in the office today has been told she isn't allowed to go home.

If it's bad tomorrow I will just tell the boss I am not going in. I realise his business is more important to him, but my health is more important to me. I've got a lot of OA in several bones and I can't risk a fall.

Is my boss being as bad as I think he is? Are your bosses more accommodating? Or are they the same?

I find working with RA so frustating. If I could only win the lottery.... 😀

[Summerrain14]

I’m so sorry to hear that your employer is not very supportive. It really makes things so hard doesn’t it. Have you been in touch with your occupational health team via work? Appreciate not everyone has access to occupational health through work.

In my recent assessment from occupational health they wrote in my report that I must be allowed to attend all my hospital appointments and not be expected to make time up. More sickness triggers have been added for me so if I am off due to my RA it gives me more triggers before it becomes a concern. I think I have four episodes for general sickness like a chest infection before being questioned about time off work. I think I have six episodes for my RA. Giving me a lot more episodes of sickness being allowed before triggering the HR process for sickness.

My employer has also been advised to be more flexible with my working hours if I have a flare up etc.

I do still have some challenging conversations with my employer at times and have to keep referring to my occupational health report sometimes but it is reassuring for me that this is all in writing for me.

The weather thing is a problem isn’t it but again if your employer is sensible they should allow you to work from home to reduce the risk of falls for you given your arthritis.

Thinking of you. x

[Angjoplin in reply to Summerrain14]

Unfortunately we don't have occupational health or even a HR person. It's a small family business. I don't get sick pay either so I don't have time off work, I drag myself in even if I'm going to take it easy once there.

If you don't mind me asking is it a large business you work for? I am looking to move jobs and am thinking if I should be looking for a large company that might have better protections.

Thanks

[Summerrain14 in reply to Angjoplin]

I am really sorry to hear that you don’t have a HR person or occupational health. I do work for a large organisation and can honestly say occupational health have been a godsend for me and helped me several times. I love my job so am pleased with the right support I can continue to work. I work say working for an organisation with occupational health does make me feel more supported and protected as in my report it states I am protected under the equality act. x

[Angjoplin in reply to Summerrain14]

Thank you. I think a larger organisation might be the way to go. I do need to keep working.

[Carolsos in reply to Summerrain14]

I am just going down that road with occupational health once the ball gets rolling. It's good to hear some positive vibes about them. Sorry to jimp on this thread.

[Summerrain14 in reply to Carolsos]

No apologies needed at all for jumping onto this thread. So pleased you have and that you will be going down this route soon too. Honestly it was the best thing J did and I was nervous about it. Fingers crossed it works really well for you too x

[Deeb1764 in reply to Angjoplin]

moneysavingexpert.com/recla...

[oldtimer2 in reply to Angjoplin]

It does depend very much on what work you do and whether the organisation you work for can cover your work when you are off, or whether you can do it from home.

Small businesses do find it more difficult to cover for absences. It means that either the work can't be done at all, has to wait (if that's possible) or someone else has to do twice as much. In larger organisations sometimes the work of one person can be spread out between several people - but it does depend on what the work consists of!

[SuriL]

it’s so awful when employers are not accommodating. I have RA and did have an external OA appt but no real recommendations made. I may be made redundant soon -so very stressed now and IBS flaring up.

So sad it is so difficult for those who want to work!

[Angjoplin in reply to SuriL]

I personally have found it a struggle with no real help available. Wondered if it was just me. Sometimes the grass isn't always greener.

[cyberbarn]

Employers must make reasonable adjustments. gov.uk/reasonable-adjustmen...

equalityhumanrights.com/en/...

Maybe it would help if you showed your employer this, framing it in the positive as 'here's something that will help the company' rather than the negative 'I am complaining that you are not doing something'.

I suspect through that the question of snow will be off the table by tomorrow. Snow never lasts long in the UK (I am Canadian, the only thing I miss from Canada is proper snow!) but it might be something to discuss with them before next year.

[Angjoplin in reply to cyberbarn]

I know the law, but in practice it's not terribly helpful. I did discuss it with him months ago and he said he was fine with me working from home. Then the time comes and he is snarky about it. For more than this reason I am seriously thinking of looking for another job. I really wanted to know whether my boss was as bad as I think or if other people had similar issues and I'm expecting too much.

[cyberbarn in reply to Angjoplin]

When it comes to accessibility to work, we can never expect too much!