Do you feel you have had any discriminatory e... - Pain Concern
Do you feel you have had any discriminatory experiences at work due to your disability/pain condition(s)? Please feel free to describe below
332 Voters
Undeniably so! Try having an employer who refuses to believe what you say, treats you like a liar or malingerer, and insists your health condition is trivial. Overall, I felt treated like an inconvenience, not a human being! I was even told that I should attend medical appointments "outside work hours". Please, somebody, do tell me how I am supposed to do that in a 9-5 job ( as medical appointments are generally 9-5 too!)?
Oh but it's quite easy to go to hospital appointments because there's Choose & Book! I tried explaining to the HR woman that when you need a pain clinic appointment and the pain clinic with your consultant only runs on the first Wednesday of the month when there's a full moon then there is absolutely no choice, and just because they give you an appointment time it doesn't mean you will be seen at that time, but she didn't get it. I left.
My sister worked as a medical secretary & was terribly bullied, so much so that she had a nervous breakdown. Two other secretary's bullied her mercilessly because of her health as she has Fibromyalgia & other medical problems, they even stole her filing trays, made her take Christmas secs down just weeks after having appendixes out.
Call66...I had terrible back pain and I needed 2 weeks off to try and aggressively treat it and I come back and all the buzz came to me from my coworker which was my partner in scheduling that they asked him to watch my work and find the tiniest mistake. Wow then I really started making them and they put extra stress and pressure on me until I broke. I still carry the medical term pseudodementia. Been off work for a year-no compensation that I paid into- and I am no better.
Sounds like my team leaders. And I work NHS so you would think a little bit more tolerant.
They didn't believe my RA pain was real. I felt as though some coworkers felt as though I was just lazy and didn't want to do my job. My pain was real.
So sorry. No one can see pain. but us here know its very real. Don't let anyone's ignorance get you down. Were fighters!
Hi juliansmom, thank you so much I love that comment,WE ARE FIGHTERS!!
Of course RA is agonizing. I couldn't imagine living with that. I am sorry 
I'm currently on short term disability. My boss pretended to be concerned at first than it became clear shes just concerned about me being there to do my job, not about my health or pain, or how I'm currently paying my bills.
You got it sergeant, perfect example of the black hearts of others.
I find it hard to understand that I am a chronic pain sufferer so why should anyone else understand it. People have no concept of what chronic pain is as the word chronic is so misused when it comes to pain. It is soooooooo frustrating, upsetting, outcasting and unique. Only other chronic pain sufferers understand.
Well said. Were in a league of our own but no ones having any fun playing.
Spot on. Perhaps some employers should read these posts
Maggiet, they still wouldn't care if they did read these posts. If it doesn't happen to the or a close family member, they have no empathy or sympathy. I've lot a total of 3 jobs because of my back problems
Oh yes we do understand Bigbertha only too well. I wish we all could gather into a face to face support group and have each other there for hugs and cookies and maybe a few adult beverages would help lol but seriously, we understand. Chin up.
I almost lost my job of 17 years while trying to come back from an 8 month leave. They didn't legally have to accommodate me and my restrictions. I may have resubmitted some less than truthful paperwork to keep my job. How else was I supposed to support my kids. I work in pain but I always loved to work so I'm in pain whether I'm home or at work. My boss is understanding but my human resource dept. Doesn't want a liability like me.
You my dear have found one diamond in the pile of coal. Good for you.
In very fortunate work in a family type setting. My co workers are my friends and family. Very supportive.
Well said! Treated like a liability is so true, and embarrassing. No one seems to be given the same "attitude" when they spend the whole work time bitching and complaining about the boss, company coworkers, their families, friends etc. Having your head bombed day after day with "able body" peoples complaints is just ludicrous. Sorry to sound so angry but this question has really hit a nerve. Everyone pitches in while somebody is going through a divorce because they can't do jack apparently and for however long after, but admit you're in pain or god forbid show it and should your physical complaint even remotely be permanent, well liability attitude starts and sionara to your job. Who cares how nice/caring/compassionate employers are during the cut of hours to just plain stupid, no one does the same to the sniviling mess in the corner who does nothing, well its going through a divorce etc. Oh please.
Most definitely! Made worse by the fact that I'm taking hormones which have made me put on weight and I'm glowing like I'm full of good health. Some of my colleagues think I'm lazy, a hypochondriac, an attention seeker or a combination of the three. It's really difficult when you look alright on the outside as people judge you by what they see. It's terrible living with chronic pain and trying to explain it at work. nobody understands.
Most definitely! Made worse by the fact that I'm taking hormones which have made me put on weight and I'm glowing like I'm full of good health. Some of my colleagues think I'm lazy, a hypochondriac, an attention seeker or a combination of the three. It's really difficult when you look alright on the outside as people judge you by what they see. It's terrible living with chronic pain and trying to explain it at work. Nobody understands.
Totally agree i have always until recently been "blessed" with a healthy complexion. Recently I developed a pale and pasty tone and now people are nicer and more considerate. Too much judging going on, that's the problem.
And the old, Glad it's not me. Not mine, don't care enough about what the companies do to speak up; fear of losing their job as well but there needs to be some type of coalition put together. A union of such for people with chronic pain and health problems. Most offices have plenty of papers piling up I could have helped with, very easy stuff. There is always a pile over stacked as well as I call piddly (pathetically trivial) but still needs to be done. I just could lift, bend, stoop or carry over 10 lbs and I had to be out of that office chair as much as possible to stretch and walk a bit. I could have done many things, an overflow person but no I had to be able to do "my job" when FMLA says the company must offer reasonable employment if unable to do your regular job. The legally fixed that for me. I forget how much more an attorney knows more than I lol
Most definitely! Made worse by the fact that I'm taking hormones which have made me put on weight and I'm glowing like I'm full of good health. Some of my colleagues think I'm lazy, a hypochondriac, an attention seeker or a combination of the three. It's really difficult when you look alright on the outside as people judge you by what they see. It's terrible living with chronic pain and trying to explain it at work. Nobody understands.
Most definitely! Made worse by the fact that I'm taking hormones which have made me put on weight and I'm glowing like I'm full of good health. Some of my colleagues think I'm lazy, a hypochondriac, an attention seeker or a combination of the three. It's really difficult when you look alright on the outside as people judge you by what they see. It's terrible living with chronic pain and trying to explain it at work. Nobody understands.
Most definitely! Made worse by the fact that I'm taking hormones which have made me put on weight and I'm glowing like I'm full of good health. Some of my colleagues think I'm lazy, a hypochondriac, an attention seeker or a combination of the three. It's really difficult when you look alright on the outside as people judge you by what they see. It's terrible living with chronic pain and trying to explain it at work. Nobody understands.
Most definitely! Made worse by the fact that I'm taking hormones which have made me put on weight and I'm glowing like I'm full of good health. Some of my colleagues think I'm lazy, a hypochondriac, an attention seeker or a combination of the three. It's really difficult when you look alright on the outside as people judge you by what they see. It's terrible living with chronic pain and trying to explain it at work. Nobody understands.
Most definitely! Made worse by the fact that I'm taking hormones which have made me put on weight and I'm glowing like I'm full of good health. Some of my colleagues think I'm lazy, a hypochondriac, an attention seeker or a combination of the three. It's really difficult when you look alright on the outside as people judge you by what they see. It's terrible living with chronic pain and trying to explain it at work. Nobody understands.
Most definitely! Made worse by the fact that I'm taking hormones which have made me put on weight and I'm glowing like I'm full of good health. Some of my colleagues think I'm lazy, a hypochondriac, an attention seeker or a combination of the three. It's really difficult when you look alright on the outside as people judge you by what they see. It's terrible living with chronic pain and trying to explain it at work. Nobody understands.
Ehhhhhhhhh??????
We do!!!!! Only too well
I try to hide the pain I'm in at work as I really want promotion and I'm worried my boss will think I can't cope. That's one benefit of an invisible condition- you can often hide it if you want to. But now in using a crutch, hopefully part time & a wrist splint, it's visable. I get much more support- concern anyway, which is nice. No dispensations- still expected to work just as hard but it's really brought home the difference between invisible & visible conditions. Other people forget, even if they do care, as they all have their own lives.
And the trouble with the divorce example is that people are prepared to be sympathetic for a short time- if you've broken a leg of got divorced. But if the problem is long term most people run out of sympathy! Sad but that's the way it is. That's why forums like this are so helpful. I know there'll always be someone with time to care& be sympathetic, and sadly, understands exactly what it's like.
Definitely! Got told by my assistant manager that I should 'just' have my ovaries taken out because it would 'fix everything' and when I told him I still wanted to have children and that wouldn't help he responded 'but if you get pregnant and get a cyst on your ovary, you could harm your unborn baby'!!! And a colleague of mine told me 'the whole store gets dragged down because of YOUR "medical condition", it's your fault we're behind all the time!' I am at breaking point with it all to be quite honest.
I've had a situation such as "ya know you short just quit (because I was on light duty) in a physical rehab hospital, it's not fair for US!!!!!! nor you. That burnt me to the ground. I could have slapped her face back a couple weeks.
No, I am my own boss, can do things my way, when I like and how I like.
That's fortunate and great for you Zanna, wish we all could be.
I have trouble getting people to believe why I do so l little work, or can do so little in general, which is a very similar thing to what you decribe though I am not in paid work. I have chronic pain of more than 12 years and have terrible attitudes from health care workers about it (like suggestions that I am merely "focusing on it" and "could work if I wanted to") I do do a little voluntary work and do everything I possibly can to manage my condition actually at my own expense (physio, exercise classes etc)
Agree that people will be tolerant with something short term but they simply "forget" when something goes on for a while. I look healthy which is good and I would not want to look unhealthy; Before this I have had anxiety and depression and everyone concerned immediately jumped to the conclusion the pain is just a part of my depression. There is a very definate physical element to it and no amount of mental positive thinking is going to change that fact. I get sick of being told this idea that my pain is just an o "old memory". Pain is pain and in my case gets triggered by what I do physically or don't do. I find I have to constantly exercise to keep it reasonable and not sit for too long a period.
Actually in my personal experience. I had depression and anxiety/panic disorder to begin with but these last few years of back, neck, shoulder, knees and hip have went down fast' pretty much all together. My depression and anxiety has SOARED since I've had to deal with chronic pain which for my back, has been 21 years. Thankfully I have the best GP in the world, couldn't make it without him but there is only so much he can do. It's all these different specialist who've never seen me before and they glance over my history if only first paragraph and come in with their cold opinions and should try this....it never works. Doctors these days go into the profession for the money and power not to help people. I and my husband has seen so many of those. On the other had I had seen a few good ones. I've seen so many, I can't keep up anymore
Physically my employers have been good - ergonomic chair, foot rest etc. But they don't realise the effect of being in constant pain has on your mental health and what blooming hard work it is. I'm never told to go and get a break or to finish early sometimes. Grrr!
I used to shorten my lunchbreak to go early. You can create breaks - wandering around with a bit of typed paper in your hand - I'm delivering this to so and so if asked. Put plants in the entrance way - to brighten the place up, and yes, you don't mind looking after them because it gives you a daily break.
Yes. A few years ago a very difficult colleague would not negotiate over her use of fans (e.g. the location, the speed etc.) in the office in the summer despite me calmly explaining that strong air movement causes me severe pain (I have neuropathic pain).
Yes I had the same problem it became a very unpleasant problem
I used to work for the NHS. There were about 50 staff in our dept. I only told my supervisor and line manager as I didn't want any special treatment, afterall, I was given the job out of 8 applicants because I was best suited. Only 3 other staff had the insight to see I was in pain all the time. These were medically trained people, so I don't fancy anyones chances in a non medical environment. I was given allowances. I restructured the working day so I had variety, not just sitting down all day. I took on coffee break duties for some of the staff, just for a walk about. Occy health did an assement and some suggestions were implemented.
Boss is fine (new one) its pretty much all the rest of them who are openly critical, discriminatory & the things they say behind my back...
I have worked for my employer for 16 years. in 2009 i ruptured a disk in my back and then a year later something else went wrong (NO ONE HAS YET TOLD ME WHAT THAT IS), Anyway, it has meant I am slower than i was before, more careful what i do and how i do it and occasionally time off..I have more than one illness and chronic pain is just one. I have been passed over for more hours at work, promotion and a chance to do an MA and i work in the institution that would do it for free...
The policies are all in place re disability and those with a physical disability :one you can see, are treated well, but those who have unseen disabilities, there is no understanding either from co workers or managers..
We have all this disability rights written down...but in the workplace it means 'jack shit'!
Tried to return to work several years back and was treated badly by the boss. She was a cow and made me leave by getting other staff to bully me and mess my work up. This was with Bolton Council.
I found when I was less sick than I am now but in more pain the employers attitude was terrible. The emphasis was on trying to catch me out all the time. They even phoned my husband at work to ask him why my mobile was off when I went to medical appointments. Now i use a wheelchair the attitude is totally different in some ways they can be a bit over protective but that's fine I can build their confidence. I do think at a time when the government claim to want us all in work and off benefits it is crazy that employers will discipline people who have 3 days off sick in a year and that application forms and interviewsask about sickness before any other question. It condemns many people to unemployment for life or to ignoring medical advice. I know it's mostly about cost of sick pay so why not give longer probationary periods without sick pay or have a scheme where those with chronic illness can join a different scheme. Colleagues so often voice opinions that everyone on long term sick or disability are malingerer and scroungers yet when we work and go sick they say we shouldn't be employed. Someone needs to decide whether they want us at home on benefits or at work and then stop judging us.
I know that you cannot be sacked for being disabled but my employer used 'non-attendance' - when I was ill and on sick leave - as a reason for 'letting me go' after 27 years of service!
I appealed against my employer's decision and was awarded Early Retirement on Health Grounds. So it does pay to fight the system [sometimes].
Yes, treated with impatience. Not unusual in a small company which doesn't have the resources to support staff when they're struggling.
I worked for the NHS for 15 years.That was 26 years ago. They sacked me for non fulfilment of my contract. in the lead up to my disciplinary tribunal I was sent to see the staff shrink+she told me everyone hated me because I was sick a lot.they stopped me doing any overtime shifts and other duty that gave me more cash. In the end they sacked me after a long session with 4 people who didn't know me or cared.This has had a profound effect on my life and confidence. I have not worked since because of my pain .still have nightmares about people telling me I'm useless and putting it one.I had a car accident with full certificates from my Gp. even went to pain clinic at same hospital. I'm told they could not treat people like that anymore-They do don't they.
My immediate colleagues are fine. The problem is taking time off for hospital appointments (which is about 4 or 5 times a year) - I really resent having to take annual leave to do this, so end up having to make the time up. I don't expect to be paid for not being at work, but it's unfair that other people waste so much time when they are there.
In a previous job I asked to be allowed to work nearer to home for a half day each week, just to cut down an on the driving I had to do which was part of the job but also made the pain worse. I was told I couldn't do this because they couldn't get the IT support to make it possible.
Mostly people are kind but as I don't go on about my pain they often think I'm OK.
Couldn't help but think that the responses are fascinating. It seems to be a common experience for many people, to be treated unfairly and without care at work - especially if they have non-visible health conditions that are not obvious. The attitude is just so downright hypocritical. If a person has a blatantly obvious disability (like they are blind, or in a wheelchair), then it's all overblown, and overprotective, token gestures - just because that individual is the token disabled person in the office. I can imagine it enables employers to convince themselves they are P.C. and doing their bit for equality - "right on"! I bet they fiddle a way to get "Investors in People" status that way!
If it's not an obvious illness or disability, the person is made to feel like a nuisance. Told they are making it up, or accused of malingering. Guilt tripped into coming into work even when they feel dreadful. made to feel inadequate, and incompetent. No reasonable adjustments, no help, no support. Basically, employers totally flout disability legislation!
I totally get what people mean by the divorce comparison - if a person is blubbing all over the place, and going through something that seems dreadful (but short-term) then it's sympathy overload. If, however, the person is long-term disabled, or has a chronic illness - usually also a non-visible illness - then it's treat them like an inconvenience. This is made worse if the person actually tries to put on a stiff upper lip, and tries to cope. The MORE you try to cope, forcing yourself into work, working through pain and sickness, the LESS sympathy and support you get! That's what I found. You can't win!
Whilst on the subject of malingerers and nuisances, and time-wasters... WHY don't employers come down hard on employees who wander round the office gossiping, or take lots of cigarette breaks, or sit eating and painting their nails at their desks, or sneak off for "long lunches" (actually going shopping, or chatting to pals in the car park)? Thins like this MUST waste hours and hours of employers' time. If employers can pick on people who are sick or disabled, making them feel like nuisances for genuinely needing time off - why can't they discipline other truly time-wasting employees?
I am amazed about the number of people,that don't believe I actually have pain.My surgeon, was surprised that I even went to work.Even though,all my work colleagues know that I have had numerous spinal procedures,they do not understand. Because people can not see your pain or disability,they genuinely think it does not exist
I have taken early retirement as I felt I was letting others down at eork.It was the sort of job where you had to be physically and mentally very on the ball and I wasnt capable of doing it anymore.First of all I changed from full time to part time.Then I had to be brought home by colleagues on a few occasions as I didnt drive then and I felt a total inconvenience. I realise that many people are not in a position financially or otherwise to give up work.Many othets enjoy it as I did but maybe because I am older I can just think that part of my life is over.As for people in general apart from close family members and 2 close friends no one knows I am im constant pain.Thats the way I like it to be after years of so called friends talking about me behind my back, I now keep myself to myself .I get my support and under from forums and close people and I try to help others too.The rest? As my Grandad used to say "Tell em nowt!".God bless you all who are suffering. ? Kim xx
Although I do not work now, during my working life and interviews for jobs I found a lot of discrimination even after the new laws were introduced. I was sacked by three large companies on the grounds of health and at one job interview was actually told "we don't employ people with arthritis" this was for a sit down office job with an insurance company. One union actually said although I was employed as a disabled person I was required to perform the duties in the same way as able bodied staff, my union disputed the fact. But eventually my employment was terminated with union backing and my consent, because it is hard enough working in pain and disabled without having to fight for your disability rights in employment too.
ive been on sick for 12 months now ,and as yet I have had no problems ,although I think I will have when I go back to work with the need to ease work in doing only a few fours per day , my boss thinks your either fit or not fit to work
My main gripe is about the building I work in. I cant do stairs easily and we are on the 8th floor. Its a shared building with lots of employers, a management company runs cleaning & maintenance, and the building owners do lifts, fire doors etc. One lift out of 3 has been broken for months and the others break down regularly. There are no disabled toilets - good thing I'm male as i just cant sit and get back up without the grab rails. Also the main staircase is too wide to hold both hand rails at once so fire drills are a nightmare. Otherwise its a good job, but I am looking for something in more suitable accommodation for my needs.
Hello
Yes I lost my career through it many years ago.
It is not just work I suffered discrimination by next doors that became very serious,
Reasonable adjustments seem an impossibility...
My stres levels due to struggling to manage work and pain are exacerbated by my organisations inability to assist me in staying at work.
I'm sorry to hear so many of you have had bad experiences. I have nothing but good things to say about those who have employed me.
Has anyone used Access to Work? They are very good for those who are struggling.
Totally agree with every entry so far, is a nightmare situation at work! I returned to work after two years of being absent through ill health, receiving no pay, struggling to make ends meet with 4 kids and I'm no off again as I just can't do it, trying to juggle medication and it's side effects and work. I have been advised I may be pensioned out on ill health however I need to have a permanent disability! Chronic pain is apparently only long term! Has anyone else came across this? Is long term and permanent the same? I have been suffering since 2011 and things are only getting worse.
Now I have not been in that situation now for quite a while.
Sad to say I find victimization in society in general, sometimes this can be nasty and especially when dealing with tradesmen and society in general. This can prove confrontational.
When I was at work a time ago my disability and victimization was nasty and dangerous.
When reported it can make matters worse and I lost many years of work through it.
Hello Again
It is hard work being disabled with chronic pain and is not helped when people you are with , on a daily basis do not understand how hard it is to be positive and turn the other cheek
I've had a few employers that thought my pain was all in my head as I wasn't rolling around the floor screaming in pain (although I'd have loved to have done!). I've been forced to quit a couple of jobs as they didn't know how to accommodate a newly disabled person and/or weren't willing to allow an OT into the workplace to suggest things to make things easier for me and enable me to do my job. So glad I now have an understanding boss nowadays
Unfortunately yes. They seem to to think that when you explain things, your making it all up, lying about it all, or even when I have to call in sick, I'm just taking the mick! If only they realised what I have to go through every day just to get out of bed and paint the smile on that they see every day!
Wow 63.5% have issues when discriminatory experiences at work due to your disability/pain condition, please tell me why, I was diagnosed with cancer, 2 years ago, and many issues prior to this, I had appointments with the doctors and hospitals and my immediate boss was saying this that and the other, I had spoken to Acas who are on 'workers' side of things and no I am not a member and they pointed me into the right direction, I had no further hassles from work and they also advised to speak to the head of personnel, I did this and even now I do not get any issues from the job, hope this is enough to put you 63.5% back on the right track, you do not deserve to have added issues on the issue you have now and please do not take any c rap from anyone
take care
My manager extended my probation period by three months claiming that she was concerned that the job was damaging to my health.
I have been cleared by occupational health to do my job as I am an administrator and have CRPS in my right leg.
It really doesn't stop me from doing my job. My pain maybe distracting and I may sit at my desk between calls with my head down, but I am a hard worker and haven't had a day off since I started this job in February due to my pain.
It's a difficult situation because people tend not to be able to believe what they can't see.
Work held a medical capability hearing and as a result my contract was ceased as I was considered as a health & safety risk working in the community with my mobility difficulties combined with me working with vulnerable adults
After i had an industrial forklift accident at work i was told by GM that i could iver do the job or not do the job because i could not lift a 120 kg running machine into a A frame by myself when my back was shot to bits and could barely feel my left leg feeling numb and getting Electric shocks down leg and stabbing pains in my lower back because i had had a 5 ton impact of a 5 foot bank. When the trailer i went to drive on to drove of with out warning at speed. Because no bank man procedures was being done.
Constructive dismissal springs to mind!!!
Yes. Definitely. I had a minor problem with a wrist after moving about 30 heavy boxes at home. My GP sent me for physiotherapy and told me to ask for light duties, at work, for a few weeks to give the wrist a chance to heal. When I told my manager he fired me. About 6 weeks later the wrist was fine as expected. Unfortunately I got fired about 2 weeks before I'd been in that job for 2 years so couldn't take him to an industrial tribunal.
It's unavoidable. The employer only cares about the bottom line: profit. so they only want the fit and able.
My inability to sit and use a PC was not accepted neither was my diminished concentration due to pain. Have lost jobs on more than one occasion because of this.
Having annual leave deducted because I had physio,.
My manager contacted HR for my company to ascertain who he could get rid of me even though I developed Fibro as a direct result of a vehicle accident at work!!!!! What a great guy.
WHO IS DOING THIS BLOG ?????
Think the person has left the account has been deleted
That's why the name is hidden
I found that the most discrimination came from the WCB and other such agencies, rather than work, although when my injury first occurred I was a police officer in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Police Doctor insisted that I would never be allowed to go on patrol or do any other sort of work except sit in an office and look after property. He would not entertain any other thought or suggestion. Even before I had surgery he maintained there was nothing wrong with me.
Pain? Whaddyew Griping about? I hurt too, don't hear me saying anything about It
Dew Yew
Related to: Disabled ?: I have Problems, too and I don't get any free money
Sub Part b) Y'know your money comes out of My taxes.
The above illustrations are examples of unrecognized Learning disabilities that still allow a person to work.
My manager did not like me very much and would send the men home if they were a little dizzy from staying awake watching wrestling! When I came down with this immense pain dizziness etc... I was so frightened I asked if I could go home and go straight to the doctors and she just sighed begrudgingly at my crying eyes and told me to get on with it. No one took me seriously and when I was informing her that I was being checked for cancer she just said... Did you know someone died on the roundabout by your house yesterday? I was forced back into work and got left in a corner on my own being told what I had to do even though I was not physically able. I actively moved and under new supervision my new manager told me to go back on sick.
Occ health have said from the beginning I so not fall under the disability act. That I am not in pain and can do loads. Only a couple of days ago seeing someone new from occ health and she told me I was not fit for work and do fall under the disability act! I want to return to work, I have always worked and now giving 1000% is against my nature!
Frustrates me and I felt really bullied by my work place x
Can you believe this from another nurse " if your not fit to do your job give it up". All I wanted to do was to reduce my hours so that I wouldn't be off sick . I Haven't had one day's sick leave , she didn't need to say that I found it very hurtful . I work 12 hour shifts and they are very hard going on my body . Nobody ever asks how I am feeling . I am glad that I was able to reduce my hours and now just two 12 hour shifts for how long ! I don't know . X billie
I understand that there's always going to be that disconnect between people from not being able to feel the same pains--one person's 4 or 5 may be another person's 9 or 10, but isn't that all the more reason to be respectful to someone else's pain? My endometriosis isn't like someone else's normal cramping, but not everyone's aware of that. I try and be patient and respectful about them not being able to relate from personal experience, but at the same time, it'd be helpful if they'd at least admit that they can't relate or ask questions instead of assuming or being outright rude about it. I honestly wouldn't mind answering whatever questions someone may have about it, almost no matter how rude it's worded, but there's a difference between "is it an std" versus "it's an std I assume, don't come near me!" and yes, I've had that happen before.
As a worker on light duties placed by Remploy I have found out that our femail supervisors attitude is that of " If your not well you should not be here".
To me that says it all
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hi all been reading all your storys im 52 been off work 10 weeks in pain with my leg knee iv so had enough i dont know what to do fed up of doctors fed up of pills im going into work wednesday to be accesed has anyone had this done through there work many thanks
Ive recently had to take early retirement on health grounds from my job which I loved and studied for 6 and half years to do. In fairness with cfs/fibro and a host of other ailments and constant pain I had a huge amount of time off work over the last few years. My manager was great but in the end because I worked as part of a team where my absence would affect them I felt I had no option. But despite my manager being supportive many of my colleagues, I know for a fact, 'tolerated' me because I was unreliable. I struggled with huge guilt about this but no one really knew how much pain I was in and after working 13 hour shifts I would be wiped out for days. Re deployment was not an option as I only had 8 weeks to find another position and had to be fit to take it up but having such a bad time atm I could not guarantee this and would have lost my opportunity for Ill health retirement and the small financial benefit this brought.
we are all so discriminated against its appaling!
Yes I do. I have Gastroparesis and EDS, along with other probe. I have 24/7 pain, and each day hope I won;t wake upon the morning. I work in a school, and had to virtually beg to be able to use the disabled parking bays. In the end I got a blue badge and park there legally now, even though others park there without a blue badge. I also had to beg for 2 years to reduce my hours by ... wait for it... 1 hour! It was only when GP stepped in an gave me a 'fit for work' note stating I could not work the extra hour that they suddenly allowed me to reduce my hours, rather than paying me for it! I am now being made redundant, and they have managed to get around the Equality Act by saying the full time positions available which I cannot do, are open to me if I can find someone to job share! My Unison rep says this passes the Equality Act of they offer job share, even if nobody is up for taking it! So much for support legally for disabled folk! Where I can get another ob I do not know. I have just got out of hospital after having a PEG fitted and suffering a perforated abdomen. I never even received a best wishes from my head! So I feel discrimination is huge out there in the world of work, and the victims can do nothing about it!
Dismissed from my job as i was not able to perform my role anymore. An alternative was not offered. I was care worker.
i was forced to resign from a part time admin job as with the Health Department and was told my request to have my 15min morning tea and 30min lunch break combined was an unreasonable adjustment and not something that was able to be accommodated by the health department. It WAS totally related to my need for some adjustments and accommodations that would have allowed me to continue in my position and have now been on disability pension solely for last 2 yrs and am only 38yrs old! SO what hope is there if a government health department cant try and help a person keep there job and understand the effects of disease and illness on a persons ability to work and everyday life!
I guess I'm lucky. Everyone has been very supportive where I work, and I've had no problem taking time off for medical appointments and never been expected to make the time up. They're all very understanding and concerned. I'm going in for a spinal operation in just over a fortnight and I'm not expected back until I've well and truly recovered, which will be 6 weeks +. I'm lucky that we recently merged with another company so instead of the standard 4 weeks sick leave I now get 12 weeks, otherwise I would have been in severe financial hardship if I was off for more than 4 weeks and wouldn't have been able to have the operation but rather would have had to seek short term treatment over and over again. I don't know if it makes a difference that I've been with my employer for over 7 years so they know me well?
I am not working now as I was forced to take medical retirement 19 years ago. Whilst I was working I did suffer some bullying due to my disability, but not much could be done then unlike now.
Yes a close family member said in was making my self a victim loss have got that and do OK and the DWP don't believe you adding insult to your well being
The management staff where I currently work have been discriminating against me for a while and continue to do so despite my appeal to all of them that my body may not be the same however my brain still functions.
It saddens me that I am being treated like a junior member of staff despite being a senior and have been for a long time.
Absolutely!!! If you cannot pull your load and most of someone else's load, you are expendable period. You are just a number to certain corporations just like to the government. And none of them like to make adaptable accommodations for you. Mine used their legal dept to snake thru everything to find the way to get me but making sure they did not go against FMLA
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