So shocked and depressed thought was doing great after going back to work after a horendous year only to be told today I could loose my job.

[littlemo]

I had a review with my boss today after just 4 weeks of being back at work only to be told (reading between the lines) if I cant do my 18.75 hrs/wk then am most probably not going to be able to keep my job. I have been finding the fatigue lot worse this last few months and joint pains are back but am a glass half full kinda girl and was so happy to be back at work which is why am so devastated by what was more or less told today. I have cried and cried and been in such bad form since getting home and took to bed for few hrs but could not settle myself. I think managers basically can be ruthless at times I feel so de-moralised, angry and depressed. I have always been a very hard worker and have given the best years of my life to my job to realise with such clarity today when all is said and done I am only a number. Think I will end up being put forward for medical retirement at the age of 42! Am so worried how this is going to affect all aspects of my life. Anyone know anything about this process? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Axl888]

First of all I am so sorry for how upset you are feeling. I don't know how the system works as regards ill health. Can you google it or are you a member of a union, can they help? As the benefit system for PBC is very hit and miss, I would definitely be on top of things. Do not be forced into resigning because you wont get unemployment benefit if you do. Maybe when you have absorbed the shock, you will be able to think about what is best for you, do not let the company bully you into what is best for them. Yes I can understand that they do not want to be paying two people to do one job, but that doesn't give them the right to treat you with no respect after you have in the past been a very good employee. Good luck, take care and keep us informed of how you get on. I am sure many others who have personal experience will be commenting shortly.

[June9961]

Hi, sorry to hear of your dilemna. I too worked 181/2 hours a week but took the decision to stop the job I loved because of fatigue and body pains. I wrote a blog on it see 'at least I tried'. Do not under any circumstances give in and leave - thats theeasy way out for your company. Ask to be seen by occupational health, if the company has one. Also get your consultant involved - he will back you. If you are not in a union join one if you can. However I can tell you I am glad I gave up because I feel much better and am able to rest or have a power nap when I want. Do keep us informed and try not to worry too much. Take care x :-))

[Laverne]

OMG, This same situation happened to me in Sept, 2012.

I was honest with my employer when he hired me concerning my health issues. Believing honesty is the best poilcy!

I have been strugglinng with fatigue, nausea and memory loss for about a year. I explained that to my employer, asking him to please be patient with me. Literally begging, I am alone and have no one to help me financialy. I have to work to be able to survive and support myself.

Anyway,,, I went in that Monday morning, I was called to the side, quote, "I know you have personal and physical problems, Then he said, it is not my problem". I was told I am terminated from my position. I actually worked for a doctor! Private practice, so there is no union!!! When I went to file for unemployment my employer told them. I laid out of work sick and did not call in. "Which was a pure lie". I went to work if I had to crawl in the door.

I had a time trying to get my unemployment! The only thing that saved me was I got copies of my phone records to prove I had called in. An it wasn't because I was out sick.

My son's found there dad dead Sept 8th, 2012. I took off to be with my children, They were devasted, I tried to explain that to my employer. He ask me, Were you not divorced from him? Yes Sir, But I felt my children needed me. He said, No excuse!

I called an attorney, In the state of Georgia, You can be terminated for any reason and there is nothing you can do about it. It's sad,,,I cried and cried,,, I am still unemployed it's horrible!

It's not helping me right now. But, I am a firm believer, His day will come! I probably want live to see it, But, that's okay. God Bless You, I will pray everything works out for you.

[SC49 in reply to Laverne]

you are so right - Karma has a strange way of making everything right! I hope things are better for you now

[Rowskisgran]

PBC comes under the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act). Quote it to your HR people. Good Luck

[Hidden in reply to Rowskisgran]

Yes so true. I had my union rep at my sickness review and yes they couldnt dismiss me. They were told they had to support me as it is a chronic illness.Hope this helps. Good Luck

[enalynot]

The experience I have had with unions is if your not in one already then its to late to join they only take on cases that occur after joining .

[SC49]

LittleMo... I think i sent you a private message but I am not sure. I think you are in N Ireland?

If you are, we may have a lot in common.

Don't be downhearted yet - if you have only been back for 4 weeks, then you are still settling in and you can't take any big decisions yet, and neither can your employer. The most important thing is that you must look after your physical and mental heath.

I don't know if you are in a union - if you are not, join one tomorrow! You will not need them straightaway so it is worth getting in there and building your membership up.

If PBC has a significant impact on you and if it is likely to last more than a year, then you are probably covered by the Disability Discrimination legislation. You can get advice from the equality commission and their website has some great information on it.

Don't resign or do anything like that until you have taken proper advice. The PBC foundation in edinburgh might be able to help.

Medical retirement is not an easy option these days. it can be a very drawn out process so if you don't have to go down that road, then stay well away.

The other thing is that you must keep an accurate record of every conversation that you have with your managers so that you can be sure that you have not misinterpreted what they are saying to you.

Look after yourself and good luck x

[littlemo]

Thanks a million everyone I am going to speak to my union rep and will be seeing Occupational Health in couple of weeks. I know myself my boss went too far in what she said to me yesterday and I think, a little late, she realised this herself but as we all know once things are said they cant be taken back. I will definately be very careful in what I say to her and my colleagues in the future as I definately know that something I said to one of them re my health and my phased return to work has gotten back to her. I also declared through filling out a form from HR that I do now feel I have a disability so that perhaps will help me in this fight as do definately feel I am being discriminated against for having a disease that sadly I cannot control with medicines. Perhaps this will change in the furure with more research into the disease please God. Bfn ta again will keep u posted on how I get on.