Hello and please can you help?

NinaKKang

Hi everyone

I hope everyone is doing ok living with their conditions? You're all superstars!

I was diagnosed with RA in 2009 and have always worked full time every when my kids were very young. At the start of this year I had a flare which was so bad I was signed off work for 8 weeks. Since I've been back my employer, who I thought had my best interests at heart, have put me under performance reviews (even though I am working to the same standard as before) and my phased return to work was just me working fewer hours, there was no assistance with my workload.

I work in a team but I am the only person who does my job, so others are reluctant to help me because they don't want to have to do that all the time as they have their own work to do. I have an office based job and work in the office 4 days a week with one day at home.

In April, I asked to WFH two days a week instead of one. Even though I took on this role thinking I would have an admin assistant to support me, two years on, they're now rewriting history and saying I can do the work, there is plenty of time in my working day to do everything. They sent me for an occy health review and even though the outcome of that review was in my favour, they turned down my reasonable adjustment request.

I didn't think workplaces could actually turn these down? I've been trying to get through to ACAS but it's very difficult as they're so busy and I work full time. Has anyone else experienced this? I think probably yes, I just feel so alone right now, it would be good to share experiences.

Thanks for reading this xx

noddingtonpete

Hello @NinaKKang I think Yes they should be making adjustments, especially if you have had an assessment.

Try calling our Helpline next week as they should be able to point you towards relevant work place information.

Also take a look at the following

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/work-and-arthritis/

Hope it helps