Work

[barbdockeray]

Hi just a quick question .has anybody else had problems with there work .i am trying to cut my hours by a day .but they wint let say i need a docters letter .this doesnt sound right ...they are talking off sending me to occupatioal health just hoping they dont say i am not capable of doing my job .c

[lupie27]

It's quite normal a workplace needs to make sure its following the reasonable adjustments directive. Try not to stress about it.

[Griggser in reply to lupie27]

Just been seen by my firms OH doctor and he recommended I do the the next 6 weeks on half days. He was more worried about me pushing myself too hard and getting into a boom and bust situation. The disability discrimination act requires employers to make reasonable adjustments and shorter wiring days for a period is part of reasonable.

It always best to work with your employer and be honest with the OH provider.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

[misty14]

Hi barbdockeray

Sorry to read you are having problems with work. My advice would be to contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau who have employment advisors who can advise you on doctors letters and or sick notes and how to deal with Occupational Health. Takes the stress out for you as you have enough to deal with!. Good luckX

[MargaretGail]

There are two really usefull doccuments on this site about working with Lupus, one for the employer and the other for the employee.

[LupusAdmin3 LUPUS UK]

Hi barbdockeray,

We have two self help employment guides available which i can happily post out to you if you think it would be of help? One is a self help guide for people who want to work, and the other is a guide for employers who have employees living with lupus. Just send me a quick private message, or an email, with your full name and address and i will pop them in the post for you. [e-mail]

Best wishes,

Hayley

LUPUS UK

[Wendy39]

You have had some good replies and I actually printed those two leaflets out for myself, not long after my diagnosis. They are helpful. If I am right, Lupus comes under the Disability Discrimination Act so you are protected. For example, in a redundancy situation any time off sick due to lupus must be disregarded. You cannot be sacked due to having it either. I have reduced my hours due to my symptoms, from 4 days to 2.5. My employer has been very good. I hope yours is too. Good luck.

[Newloop]

I was just about to post the same as Wendy, I had a similar situation where my employer was taking me through the disciplinary procedure for sickness. I was livid on several counts, mainly that I have had a total of 8 days sick in 2 years, 5 of which I was actually admitted to hospital, but our clunky system does not allow for any deviation and they started the process - after a letter from my rheumatologist and one pointing out the Disability Discrimination Act from my Union rep it soon stopped. Any decent employer should make reasonable adjustments for you.

Good luck & stay positive 😃

[EmAitch]

Sorry to hear you are having problems at work. I was sent to OH 4 times. Each times recommending I be moved from where I was sitting as I was under the air con (which blew cold air constantly). next to the fax machine and the printer behind me. There were up to 8 people in the office therefore all the machines were in use.

These exacerbated my condition (COPD) to the point my sick level exceeded the recommended levels. I was eventually dismissed on grounds of ill health (having missed being medically retired by 2 weeks). Although I had the union on side, or so I thought, they told me after I was dismissed, that management does not have to adhere to OH recommendations

I didn't and still don't understand it all, so I do hope you have better luck. Check with your CAB and get as much information from them as others as you can.

Good luck x