Gca hr review

[Helliwelli12]

Just had my 2nd meeting with my boss and hr. They are trying to define if I'm just incapable of doing my job or if it's my illness preventing me from doing it. I just feel like they are really putting the pressure on now. I am in danger of just blowing up now. They want me to follow up with my doctor to get a firm diagnosis. Just wondering if I tell them I can't do my job because of my condition what will happen then. I honestly don't think I can take this anymore. Any advice there is no union to help

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have you sought advice from Citizens Advice Bureau as we suggested in previous posts? If not, then please do… and you probably do need to speak to doctor, so you can get something in writing from them.

If you can, please don’t admit you cannot do your job, it sounds as if your employers want you to say that, so they can say you decided to submit your resignation… and let them off the hook.

I know it must be very difficult for you, but you do need an independent opinion on the way forward.

[Helliwelli12 in reply to DorsetLady]

I will be contacting the doctor on Monday and also the citizens advice bureau. I want to push fir a memory assesment aswell and ways to resolve my anxiety

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Helliwelli12]

Good ..

[123-go in reply to Helliwelli12]

Don’t let the ……s get you down! CAB will give you good advice on how to proceed. Very best wishes.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

They didn't consider you incapable BEFORE you developed GCA?

[SheffieldJane]

Can you imagine a job design that would enable you to manage it satisfactorily? Be that equipment, working patterns, breaks? Now is the time to speak up. You are entitled to reasonable adjustments like this that would enable you to stay in work. It is a legal requirement on your employer to retain you if it can be managed. The next step may well be early retirement on health grounds that can be an attractive proposition.

[Bcol]

Morning. Lots of good advice already given and I would suggest that you don't go down the line of *I can't do my job" until they have put in place all the things that SJ has mentioned and any advice from CAB/doctor and then reevaluate the position. They have a legal requirement to make reasonable changes to allow you to carry on. At the same time, this is an opportunity, even if not a planned one, for you to have a really good think about whether this is a job you wish to continue with or is it an opportunity/possibility for a change in direction.

[borednow]

Prior to my retirement I worked for a company who seemed to have no respect for their employees. Please listen to the sound advice you have received here - I know it's hard but you can do it. I am enjoying a great retirement!

[random901]

The stress is not doing you any favours, Helliwelli. Please get some advice and back-up asap!

[Numptybrain]

Do they not have occasional health who can establish reasonable adjustments for you as that is normally the first rule they need to follow. I’ve been through all of this with a county council 15 years service but in the end they finished me on capability grounds as I sadly reached the sickness level threshold when I was rushed in with spinal cord injury. They have a duty of care though so surely Occupational health, are you in a union? You may need to speak to a workplace representative not citizens advice but another body, really sorry but my stupid brain injury fails me here but there are advocates for people who work.

Good luck

Wendy xx

[Noni71]

You definitely need an independent person to speak for you at any further meetings. I had a similar situation before I had GCA where my boss tried to bully me out of my job after I had taken 6months off with mental health issues. It was amazing the difference it made when I took a union rep in with me! I understand that it makes you feel helpless but with the right support you can decide what is the best outcome for you. I eventually left and got another job which was such a relief. Good luck.

[sewinggranny]

Have a look online for Castle Associates, they will provide a Trade Union Rep for employees who are not in a Union. My daughter is currently using a TU rep they recommended , she has fibromyalgia, and is in a similar situation with her employer.

[CygnusX1]

The company may not have union recognition and have reps on site, but anyone can join a union. You'd then contact the union office and they would provide union representation, often a union officer. There is a legal right for you to join a union and have representation. If you could do the job prior to the illness then it's the illness that's preventing you being fit to work at the moment. ACAS may be another source of info, but nothing is as strong as taking representation in with you - it does tend to focus the minds of the employer!

[cmToddy]

Hi Helliwelli. I sympathise and totally get the stress. Not sure how old you are and I assume you need your job. Could you play the system and get as much as you can for medically retiring. If you could take time off for stress on your return because they have a care obligation, they would have to make changes to help you. I say get what you can, sod it and leave.under medical grounds. Have a long rest and rethink in 6 months time. I wish you lots of good luck. X

[Rubha]

sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. I notice you said there is no union help. Is that because you are receiving no help from your union or you are not a union member ? If you are a member and receiving no support, I would escalate to the next level with your union. If you are not a member, I would strongly advise you to join one. I found with both myself and for my husband (for a totally different reason) the support and advice I received was very helpful . Good luck to you.

[Alliekat65]

Hi and I know wat you are saying. I've just gone back started at 5 hours this week went to 9 and feel totally wiped and on Tuesday I'm meant to do 12.5. BUT from today I saw that you can ask for a flexible work pattern by law. I am lucky that my OH lady was good and did write that I am to have MORE breaks if I'm struggling.

At 58 I feel 90 and I'm trying hard to stay in the job I love...and ive got bills..

DONOT as others have said say you can't...and YES please get advice.

wishing you .all the best

[Gimme]

I would recommend calling ACAS for advice on your legal position in this situation. Your company are skating on very thin ice, from what you have said, and what they are doing could be construed as constructive dismissal. Do not assume that HR people will always follow the law, some of them really do push their luck. If you have any more discussions with HR, be very careful about what you allow them to manoeuvre you into accidentally agreeing to, without independent advice. In the meantime, also bone up on the company sickness policy, in particular if there is a company employee manual. Also, don't dismiss out of hand, using an employment lawyer. Most will charge a reasonable fixed fee for an initial consultation and sometimes a letter from a lawyer can stop an overzealous HR manager in their tracks. Depending on the circumstances, if you do have to be retired out of your job, there is a possibility that you could be offered a severance package, and an employment lawyer or ACAS could help advise on that. Mostly, ACAS are excellent and give totally unbiased impartial advice, but I have found some of the people who answer are easier to talk to than others. So, if you are dissatisfied afterwards, call again on a different day and you will get a different adviser.

[Zebedee44]

Hi Hellliwelli

I totally concur with everything Gimme has said, and have experience of constructive dismissal. I was a lot younger then and should warn you that it is an emotionally exhausting process pursuing a claim and can be quite expensive so please get any free support and advice you can and then if needed get a solicitor specialising in “servant and master “ cases. I’m sorry you are having this experience, especially if you have enjoyed your job. PMR/GCA is life changing but can be managed once you understand how your own version affects you. Your employer should be patient in making any adjustments but don’t be pressed into unrealistic expectations from them and don’t rush to make it easier for them by offering to leave. Good Luck

[Poshcards]

You should have your occ health team , helping you!! x