Struggling to continue to work

[eescvc]

I returned to work last month after being furloughed all of the shielding period. I am still working from home.

Since lockdown/shielding, my role has been changed and I am struggling to cope with the changes. Essentially I've gone from a role that had long term projects where I could pace myself and prioritise work that better suited my symptoms day to day. Now I am being briefed task by task and have no chance at pacing myself or matching my tasks to my symptoms (such as less technical work in the afternoons when my brain fog is at its worst).

I had already told my employers that this would be an issue and they assured my that I would be given a weekly workload, but this hasn't happened. If this continues I can't see myself being able to stay in my role. I really don't want to have to stop working but I'm sleeping every non work moment just to cope with my work at the moment.

Any advice?

[PMRpro]

Time for union and occupational health representation I think. Your employer isn't sticking to their part of the bargain and making adjustments to allow you to manage to work. I know little about employment law - but I might suspect an attempt at constructive dismissal????

[LalSD]

I wondered if you could negotiate to reduce your hours a bit? This is what We did for my daughter, start at 10.00 and finish at 4.00? This allowed her to pace herself better for the next day and offers slow recovery. As well as continue to work from home. I am also helping her out accompanying her whilst working at our own jobs, just to emotionally support, we sit together in the same rea as if it’s our office. I find that having someone near you, On a video call, pretend virtual office or a family Member accompanying whilst doing their own things help you focus better if there is a complicated task. Because we live together it helps us both to confidently talk about Our frustration and having a second pair of eyes helps as if you are in the office. Could you ask a friend to join you on a video call if there are no relatives or a partner nearby during the day. It may not work for everyone but it might give you an idea to see how we try and what worked for us.

We know about the lupus brain fog and the pain and the frustration. If you are a meat eater, you can try beef, chicken or bone broth which gives Body some level of energy supply. Hope you recover. Lots of Love, xLale

[Josiah150767]

Hi

As far as I’m aware, an employer has an obligation to take into account and make provisions for a disability, so I would look into that. I understand the brain fog and being so tired all the time. I reduced my hours, which helped a lot.

[Lupymo]

As others have said above, you’re not being given reasonable adjustments by your employer. Since you’ve asked for advice, here’s mine.

1. Put in email/writing (over and above a conversation with manager) explaining as you did in your post, how the changes in duties/tasks are incompatible and detrimental to your disability.

2. Request you’re reinstated to your previous role/duties/tasks. If this isn’t possible, asked for reasons in writing.

3. I assume you’ve asked for reasonable adjustments, if not, tag onto points 1+2.

4. Are you in a union?

5. Reasonable adjustments are just that, whatever is “reasonable’ a depending on a variety of factors, not one size fits all, it’s too complex to advise further without knowing a lot more about your job.

Hope that’s a bit of help?

Good luck