Question for any teachers out there.

[Beckyjh]

Are any of you secondary school teachers? If so I need some advice. I am a teacher and as my chemo regime is a 28 day cycle I have felt well enough to pop into work this week. I was hoping to be able to go in when I felt well enough and help my colleague with just the exam classes. My oncologist has said that as long as I am sensible he is happy for me to work when I can. However my head teacher has said that if I am saying I am fit for work then I have to teach my full timetable otherwise I need to be signed off. I thought she had to make "reasonable adjustments" for me? I don't want to cause my school problems, but continuing to go into work when I can is important to me. Any teachers out there who can give me some advice?

[Katmal-UK]

Hi. Imnot a teacher but speak with macmillan advisor. There is a pack for employees/employers and it mentions 'reasonable adjustments' . Also the advisor will speak to your employer on your behalf if you want. Hope that helps and you get the situation sorted xx

[Yoshbosh]

You can have a partial fit note, which means you can work reduced hours/duties, and your employer should respect the guidance provided by the medical professional. I'm afraid I don't know much about teaching per se, so I don't know how it works in that environment.

My GP gave me one of these for my first few weeks when I returned to work, which basically meant I could work shorter days to ease me back in to work. It seems very unfair that your Head expects all or nothing, but maybe they are concerned about continuity for the students? (As, I am sure, you are - there must be a compromise somewhere?!)

Yosh x

[pleonastico]

I'm primary so I know it's a whole different world but I think your head is being unfair. Speak to your union. I'm sure you want to ensure your exam classes have continuity and that can only be for the best. I'm having a right old struggle with my school but the NUT has been a godsend for me and remember about the equality act - you are disabled and the school will know that. Good luck

Vicki

[Beckyjh in reply to pleonastico]

Hi Vicki. Can I just ask what problems you've had with your school? I just want to be prepared for the arguments that my head might give. I really don't want to have to go down the union route but if I have to I will!

[pleonastico in reply to Beckyjh]

My problem was a terrible phased return to work where no support was given, I was exhausted and had TAs removed from class at a moments notice with a difficult class (of 5 year olds - it sounds pathetic!!). My head spent the days I wasn't there (I'm part time) asking my job share how I was and being really unprofessional and not talking to me). I then had a recurrence and have been hassled constantly with OH appointments and they really just want me to leave as I've been off since April so am now on half pay and just started 3rd line. I gave the head the macmillan book called something like having an employee with cancer but it didn't seem to make any difference. I had to get the NUT involved when I couldn't go to an OH appointment as I was in hospital with a bowel blockage so emailed them from hospital. Not two weeks later with them knowing I'd been in hospital, had a recurrence and started chemo they gave me another appointment for 22nd December - whilst they were enjoying their hols and I would have to find childcare and go to a council office mid winter and immune compromised! Needless to say that didn't go down very well. I'm ranting but back to your problem the union thing just makes them a bit more careful about what they say and do. So for me I had 6 months off with first line and debulking then 8 months later off again and that's been enough for them to know they are not going to let me come back!! It's such a kick in the face but not the end of the world. I tried to be a hero when I went back; it really isn't worth it but it's hard to accept. I'll stop now but best of luck and sorry for massive reply.

Vicki

[Choski]

Again I'm not a teacher, I'm a civil servant and I was off the whole time as our personnel expects that to happen so I just continued sending in sick notes, however when I did go back to work I was given a fit note that said I was not fit to cover my normal duties and responsibilities and could only go in for 2 hours a day for 2 weeks then I went on leave for 2 weeks and had reasonable adjustments and an OH referral which slowly put my hours up to 4 hours a day and I'm finally going back full time tomorrow. I went back slightly too early however I'd used all my full time sick leave up and as I'm on a rolling 4 year sick scheme I needed to keep my half pay in hand!

I think your head is being most unreasonable and also maybe doesn't realise that you are covered by the Disability Act from date of diagnosis. It may be that she can't cope with having you off work sick, then back part time! If your GP is happy to write you on and off then that should be ok or as you said use Reasonable Adjustments.

Reasonable adjustments have to be formalised and agreed so you could put your suggestions for your working on that 4th week in writing and state that you will be unable to work weeks 1 to 3 due to chemotherapy and side effects. I can't see a problem with that at all.

I hope that MacMillan will advise you

Take care

Clare

[Gleedy]

Your head sounds like he is being very unreasonable. You are having severe treatments and still offering to work? He should be applauding you offering total support. I'm a primary school teacher and my oncogist said no to work because of my immune system but had terrible throat problems with chemo so it would have been difficult. I had 5 months of work. My head had been a great support but I had to return soon after treatment as it's a private school so no pay! It's been tough. I suppose as head he can make the rules as he feels fit but I cannot believe his 'full time' approach. I want to shout at him for you. My oncologist did write to my school. Would yours do the same? X

[ladygooner-uk in reply to Gleedy]

Hi gleedy, just a note that it doesnt matter if your head sets the rules, as an employee you are entitled to be covered by equality act which identified cancer as a disability and therefore a protected characteristic in law. You are entitled to ask to be assessed for reasonable adjustments to be made.. i cant remember which govt department does it but it will be on google...

Sue

[Gleedy in reply to ladygooner-uk]

Thank you. That's helpful to know. X

[millers]

Having experience in occupational health your manager needs to be seen to offer reasonable adjustments. This does not mean he has to if no other job is available but he should be seen to by trying. The old sick note used to indicate that you could or could not work whereas the new "fit notes" indicate that you can work but with adjusted duties and times.