work dismissel

snowball

I have worked in retail for a long time but due to my R/A i have been off sick for two and a half years. Last week i saw an OT physiscian to do a work station assessment to see if there was anything they could do to get me back to work. He decided there wasn't due to pain and fatigue, i was told this should have been done when i was first diagnosed 5 years ago. I asked to see th OT (advice from a friend). Well tomorrow i have an appointment with HR and my manager and i know they are going to dismiss me. In one way i am relieved an in another a little scared, i'm only 41 and thought i would have many years left to work.
Julie

valval

julie (hugs) feel for you i wonder from time to time when things bad how much longer can keep working know would miss it so much and bet you do as well. but it does not mean that you will never get back ,things might improve with out the extra stress of worrying about if they get rid of you . i hope things work out the way you want them to val

09angel11

I am new to this site, but understand where you are coming from. I worked for the employment office where i live, my assessment went on for nearly three years. It started with getting the chair, which then had to be altered due to the desk being to low, i am 5ft 8, Anyway then they decided to get me a desk plus all the other gadgets i needed. Well it turned into a right farce. In the end i got the union involved, if you are in a union get them involved, they can do alot for you. If not, and they do make you unemployed through ill health make sure you get what you are entitled to, money wise, the correct holiday pay, and so forth, if not sure get in touch with ACAS they will be on the internet. Also then go for incapacity which is now called ESA. You can also see you local Disability employment officer at your local jobcentre, if you make a claim for jobseekers instead. But see your doctor and get a note to say you are not fit for work if making a claim for ESA. Whatever you decide good luck. I must be honest i am glad i am no longer at work specially when i have really bad days or nights, but i felt like you do, to young to retire, i am older than you though. I have done a counselling course and i am now looking to do voluntary work.

Monica :

skezier

Hi Julie,

I am sorry and sending you a ((( ))) and a hope its not too bad for you. I kinda know how you feel I was medically discharged at 28 and I felt as though I would be 'useless' and unemployable for ever. I was lucky, I had an op and got my legs back but remained someone employers didn't want so I went it alone and deep down I know it was the best thing I ever did so don't give up on hope, you are still you and well I sort of lost the plot but another (((( )))) Cris x

quietwaters

snowball wrote:

I have worked in retail for a long time but due to my R/A i have been off sick for two and a half years. Last week i saw an OT physiscian to do a work station assessment to see if there was anything they could do to get me back to work. He decided there wasn't due to pain and fatigue, i was told this should have been done when i was first diagnosed 5 years ago. I asked to see th OT (advice from a friend). Well tomorrow i have an appointment with HR and my manager and i know they are going to dismiss me. In one way i am relieved an in another a little scared, i'm only 41 and thought i would have many years left to work.
Julie

Hi Julie, I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow.
((((()))))
Jay

snowball

Thankyou everyone i will let you know how it goes.
Julie xx

minky67

Hi Julie, Sorry to read that.
I was 40 when i first went on the sick with the pain.I'd ben suffering for yrs but it got so bad i couldnt carry on with working with the pain & stiffness.
I finished 9months later when i got dx with OA & both my dr & rhymy said i'd never work again.I gave in my notice as my job required a regular person with good people skills to handle the customers & have some trust with them.Then last Oct i got the added bonus of Fibromyalgia thrown in.
I keep as busy as my body allows. I thought life without working would be a bore but its not.
Slowly adjust into it if thats the case with your job.
Keep as active as your body allows & focus on what you can do. Even if thats just at home.
I hope it doesnt come to it but just a few pointers in the right direction for you.
luv debs

topgirl

Hi Julie,
I work in retail too....43 with RA...so I know where you are coming from.....
So you were diagnoised 5 years ago....did you ask for support?...if so under the DDA your company should have made 'reasonable adjustments' for you....
I know its difficult in retail and I dont know what size company you work for but this is what I asked for( and got :!: )
proper adjusted chair to use on all areas of floor
50/50 split of standing /sitting tasks
work less hours during a flare
admin when poss
so my company has been really good...BUT...i had to fight for all this and my actually line manager tries to make things difficult....
Are you in the company pension scheme?...if so they need to offer you ill health reteirment....
Please pm me if you think i can be of any help...
Good luck
Kay xxx

markc1

Good luck,let them do all the running and as you have been employed over 2 years medical retirement should be a consideration.
If you're not sure come back and let us know whats on offer,whatever you do don't worry yourself too much stay calm. :?

snowball

Well i went for my meeting today and they have delayed it as the OT hasn't got back to them yet, they said they will ring me when they get it.
Julie

markc1

snowball wrote:

Well i went for my meeting today and they have delayed it as the OT hasn't got back to them yet, they said they will ring me when they get it.
Julie

Same thing happened to me.....adds to the tension don't you think? :roll:

snowball

markc1 wrote:

snowball wrote:

Well i went for my meeting today and they have delayed it as the OT hasn't got back to them yet, they said they will ring me when they get it.
Julie

Same thing happened to me.....adds to the tension don't you think? :roll:

when i got home I got my copy from OT through the post so its just more waiting

woodbon

Hi,
I understand how you must feel as I was ill health retired in June. I was a care assistant and it was the only option. 7 hours of hard, physical work and stress, is over and done with. Make sure you know all your rights and that they do everything by the book. If you can, take someone with you.

I still feel a sense of loss, but I manage to fill the time! Be prepared to feel a bit sad, but maybe at some time in the future you may be well enough to do something else, either paid or voluntory, which gives you more freedom.

Best wishes for tomorrow.
Love Sue

snowball

woodbon wrote:

Hi,
I understand how you must feel as I was ill health retired in June. I was a care assistant and it was the only option. 7 hours of hard, physical work and stress, is over and done with. Make sure you know all your rights and that they do everything by the book. If you can, take someone with you.

I still feel a sense of loss, but I manage to fill the time! Be prepared to feel a bit sad, but maybe at some time in the future you may be well enough to do something else, either paid or voluntory, which gives you more freedom.

Best wishes for tomorrow.
Love Sue

Thankyou Sue my brother is going with me next time can never remember everything they say can you

skezier

Hi Julie,

Glad someones going with you. I really hope it will sort for you, mine took months and I was heavied so hard to resign BUT didn't and nor must you. You need to make them discharge you and I really hope they will be kind and help you a bit. Another ((( ))) and a hope Cris xx

snowball

skezier wrote:

Hi Julie,

Glad someones going with you. I really hope it will sort for you, mine took months and I was heavied so hard to resign BUT didn't and nor must you. You need to make them discharge you and I really hope they will be kind and help you a bit. Another ((( ))) and a hope Cris xx

Thanks Cris i think they have got the message i wont go quietly just hope i have the strength to go through with it.

penfactor

Hi Julie
I know how horrid it is to not be able to cope the way the used to at work. I had a hip replacement last October but it did not go well & my company started pressuring me to resign as my manager said there was a time limit on how I took to "get better" i.e: back to how fit I used to be which obviously was never going to happen as I now have a disability which ATOS have found to classify me as unable to work.
In the end I resigned as couldn't take any more stress of going through medical retirement process but am now facing suing hospital for messing up my op & considering suing company for forcing me out with nothing.
Like sucks, eh?!
love Pennie X

snowball

penfactor wrote:

Hi Julie
I know how horrid it is to not be able to cope the way the used to at work. I had a hip replacement last October but it did not go well & my company started pressuring me to resign as my manager said there was a time limit on how I took to "get better" i.e: back to how fit I used to be which obviously was never going to happen as I now have a disability which ATOS have found to classify me as unable to work.
In the end I resigned as couldn't take any more stress of going through medical retirement process but am now facing suing hospital for messing up my op & considering suing company for forcing me out with nothing.
Like sucks, eh?!
love Pennie X

It certainly does Pennie i can't resign because i wouldn't get my shares if i do, they have to dissmiss me due to ill health.
Julie x

ailsamary

http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/content/havering/recorder/news/story.aspx?brand=RECOnline&category=newsRomford&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsromford&itemid=WeED05 Mar 2010 12:06:45:040


thought i wud post this link someone whom won against their employers as unfair dismissal by making them resign

snowball

Just an update- I am now going to have a meeting with a employment disability adviser at the DWP and my manager is going with me. It will take about an hour i can't sit for an hour and with me having fatigue its going to really knock me back, just going to the loo tires me, i'm not looking forward to this all i feel like doing is crying.
Julie

skezier

Hi Julie,

Fingers crossed for you that it goes well and a ((((( ))))) to take with you. Cris xx

snowball

skezier wrote:

Hi Julie,

Fingers crossed for you that it goes well and a ((((( ))))) to take with you. Cris xx

Thanks Cris think its on the 11th April

dorcas

Hi Julie,
just read your thread...you're having such a tough time of it and it is physically and mentally draining but I really do hope you get the outcome you want and need. :roll:

about your meeting with the DEA adviser......have they suggested an Access to Work Assessment first? AtW could identify what support you need and under DDA and may fund any aids or physical supports to help keep you in your job. They also advise employers on what their responsibilities are so that if you need to change your hours of work that can be looked at too. It's not too late to ask for this Julie so if you want to know more about it let me or other peeps here know and we can help you with it. Pm if you want to.

Sorry if I'm being nosey and probably being too pushy :oops: ...but what is the meeting with DEA about? if this is your first meeting with the DEA I wondered why your boss is going with you rather than a union rep ? DEA are there to provide YOU with support and advice independent of your employers.....so being able to talk through what is difficult for you in confidence is so important.
I know DEAs can speak with your employer but this is only with your permission.

NRAS provide a really helpful booklet 'I want to Work: A Guide for people with RA' and also one for employers. It outlines what you need to know about DDA and what your employers duties are too. It doesn't matter if you have a different arther the advice would be the same. Might be worth you looking on their website http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk

hope I haven't muddied the waters.....just want to help if I can. Irisx

sharmaine

Hi Julie

Try not to be too nervous when you meet with HR and your manager. You have RA which has kept you from working. I hope it goes ok for you.

I gave up my job 2 years ago when my OA became too much for me. If I had known about the options open to me I may have chosen another route. Saying that I have no regrets and I know when I'm feeling rough I can have a lie down.

All the best.

Sharmaine

snowball wrote:

I have worked in retail for a long time but due to my R/A i have been off sick for two and a half years. Last week i saw an OT physiscian to do a work station assessment to see if there was anything they could do to get me back to work. He decided there wasn't due to pain and fatigue, i was told this should have been done when i was first diagnosed 5 years ago. I asked to see th OT (advice from a friend). Well tomorrow i have an appointment with HR and my manager and i know they are going to dismiss me. In one way i am relieved an in another a little scared, i'm only 41 and thought i would have many years left to work.
Julie

snowball

sharmaine wrote:

Hi Julie

Try not to be too nervous when you meet with HR and your manager. You have RA which has kept you from working. I hope it goes ok for you.

I gave up my job 2 years ago when my OA became too much for me. If I had known about the options open to me I may have chosen another route. Saying that I have no regrets and I know when I'm feeling rough I can have a lie down.

All the best.

Sharmaine Thanks Sharmaine x

snowball wrote:

I have worked in retail for a long time but due to my R/A i have been off sick for two and a half years. Last week i saw an OT physiscian to do a work station assessment to see if there was anything they could do to get me back to work. He decided there wasn't due to pain and fatigue, i was told this should have been done when i was first diagnosed 5 years ago. I asked to see th OT (advice from a friend). Well tomorrow i have an appointment with HR and my manager and i know they are going to dismiss me. In one way i am relieved an in another a little scared, i'm only 41 and thought i would have many years left to work.
Julie

lizzie7ne

Hi Julie, I too worked in Retailing. I lost my job(dismissed on incapability due to ill health) of 18 years after just one year off sick with RA, prior to that I had an excellent attendance record, and had often come top at meeting all their targets etc. It was when I brought in a Disability Employment Advisor (who was very good) about the workstation that they started saying they couldnt help with pain fatigue etc, and of course I wanted the workstation changed so I could return to work. The bottom line was they realised I was covered under the disability discrimination act, and they realised that RA flares could mean time off work so they didnt want me, but of course they could not say that as they would have broken the law, so instead theysaid they could no longer manage with the staffing levels with me being off work (which was untrue as they had loads of people employed on temporary contracts who came and went, and they were no longer paying me, it was just a case of holding the job open covering my job with temps, but of course they would not do it as they really wanted healthy people there.
My GP and Rheum said if i returned to work it would set me back a year, I was not fit enough to work at that point in time,my GP said it would be at least another year before that could be thought of, depending whether the different RA meds they were trying me on brought the disease under control, the employer used the excuse that they couldnt wait that long.

They had three people on temporary 8 hour contracts covering my 25 hour contract, now they still do have three different temps covering my job

It was sad losing my job, but it really was the best thing for me, I am no longer worrying about attending their meetings when they put pressure on me to return to work etc, and my RA is better controlled. I havent given up on a return to employment, but I know it wont be in retailing.


Definately take someone with you to the interviews you have with your employer and insist they put details of the interview in writing to you.

good luck

lizzie