What can I do next?

GraceB
GraceB Member Posts: 1,595
I was seen by Occupational Health last summer who said I needed a 4-day week so I changed roles to a post where I was promised that after 3 months a 4-day week would be considered.
I asked about this when I'd been in post for 4 months (providing the relevant written evidence) and initially heard nothing. After the third chase-up from me, I had a 'no' within hours. I will not comment further on that but you can probably guess my thoughts.
I've recently been seen by Occy Health again who again have said that I need to reduce my hours as working f/t is detrimental to my health. I have a spinal lumbar support chair coming tomorrow but I dread having the discussion about dropping my hours.
There are no part-time posts available where I work and if this latest recommendation is refused what on earth do I do? I cannot ignore medical advice, I cannot ignore my body telling me that working f/t is too much for me now but, at the same time, I cannot afford to stop work completely.
I don't belong to a Union and if I cause 'too many waves' then my name will be on the next list for staffing reductions.
I have some reasonable adjustments in place - although they are insignificant - but I'd really appreciate any suggestions you could make.
Thank you for reading this post.
GraceB
Turn a negative into a positive!

Comments

  • lizzieuk1
    lizzieuk1 Member Posts: 302
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Grace,
    I'm no expert in employment law etc but sounds like theyre being a bit unfair, having offered something then said no. Perhaps u could contact the cab or maybe message the panel on here to see if they have any specialists you can get advice from. Another thought is could you work from home a bit? I know others do and find cutting out the travel helps them cope with a more full time position.
  • mellman01
    mellman01 Member Posts: 5,306
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there sorry to hear your having issues at work, it does sound a bit odd the way they are acting right now just try and not worry to much just yet, now I know this sounds a bit formal and a tad short but can you tell me the following?, is this info coming down from HR via OC health?, who is your OC health nurses reporting manager?, (mine was the head of HR and I still get flashbacks! :o ) are you in a union?, how long have you been working there?, are you in a works pension?, are you near to or over 50? (this is an important age with regards to pension rules), also are you in a union?. :?:
    Now I suggest you take notes of all of whats being said and or discussed, dates times etc even phone calls log as much as you can it will be really handy regardless of what happens.

    Regards

    Mell
  • GraceB
    GraceB Member Posts: 1,595
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Mel,
    The assessment was done as my health had deteriorated since my last assessment. The report has gone to my Line Manager. I am not in a Union, I've 12 years continuous service come this September and I am 48. I am in a works pension scheme and have been since my service began.
    It's been suggested to me by a previous Line Manager that the previous request may have been refused due to funding, if my role is reduced to 4 days per week and I then subsequently leave, they would then not be able to recruit to a 5 day per week role. However, I've been given 'key words' to use by my previous Line Mgr and am due to see my current Line Manager this week to discuss.
    I already record meetings, medical interventions received etc, and have been doing this ever since my original diagnosis.

    Lizzie,
    Problem is although I explained at interview that I need a 4 day week role, they offered my post on a 5 day week basis and said they'd consider reducing, but couldn't guarantee I'd get it. I had to agree to that at the time as then I was in an absolutely awful situation and needed to move posts quickly. Unfortunately I cannot do my job from home.

    Thanks so much both of you for your support. I'll let you know what happens.

    GraceB
    Turn a negative into a positive!
  • mellman01
    mellman01 Member Posts: 5,306
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Grace good you have made notes etc, its always handy to have as I found the whole process highly complex but then again as soon as my HR head knew my OA was so bad I couldn't carry on in my original role I was employed to do she got me into a informal stage 1 meeting and smiled asked me how my knees were then said I could either go talk to the OC health Doctor about ill health retirement if I didn't want to she was going to terminate my employment under the capability rules, lets just say it went down hill from there for me :x , that said I did one thing they didn't want me to do and that was I stayed, I hung on until they retired me I had no other option, after all where was I going to go with two knees with OA, a neck with the same and a nasty dose of chronic neuropathic pain syndrome?.
    That said Just keep going as you are, you'll know better than anyone what their intentions are for you, if they are genuine and really want to help then I'd try my damnedest to stay there if that's feasible, my lot were only interested in getting me out the door but then again the place was set to close in March 2013 (which it did) so they wanted me out before redundancy came up it was only ever about money, anyway I was retired on ill health in 2011, if the place was staying open then they'd have accommodated me but the head of HR was a truly nasty woman, she is so aggressive I've met people who have never worked at the station I was at yet they know of her name from other jobs she's had in the area!, if she had a soul it would help but she has to live with her actions I hope one day she will look back and feel a pang of guilt but I'm not holding my breath.
    Anyway the one key thing is not to walk out, stay in harness dont leave of your own volition, and watch out for the word capability, its a sneaky little rule they sometimes like to use on those inflicted with bad health.
  • GraceB
    GraceB Member Posts: 1,595
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Mel. I'll PM you once my initial meeting has taken place tomorrow. I appreciate your support.

    I'm just sorry that you've had such an awful experience. At least you can say you made it as difficult as possible for them and didn't give in without a fight!

    At the end of the day, all we want is to be able to do our jobs to the best of our ability, with a few (usually minor and cost-free) adjustments thrown into the mix. It's not rocket-science after all!

    Reckon we need more people in managerial positions who've got OA/ similar conditions. A previous line manager of mine had OA and was great - between us we joked that we could summons up one whole reasonable body between us!

    Take care and thanks again,
    GraceB
    Turn a negative into a positive!
  • mellman01
    mellman01 Member Posts: 5,306
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Has anyone heard from Grace recently?, I wonder how things were going but there's been no PM's or posts recently from them and I was getting slightly worried from the lack of activity.
  • GraceB
    GraceB Member Posts: 1,595
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks everyone for your help.

    Sorry I've been AWOL again - was on leave last week and was so busy that I just didn't get the chance to log on.

    Mel - it looks like I've reached an agreement but I can't say I'm that happy about it. They are forcing me to either stay on a 5 day week or drop to 2.5 days per week which isn't really enough - both financially or pyschologically.

    It's a start though. However, you would have thought that as they knew about my disability at interview stage - and I was extremely careful to point this out - they'd have been more understanding, especially as we work with vulnerable people!

    I've also PM'd you.

    Take care
    GraceB
    Turn a negative into a positive!
  • maria09
    maria09 Member Posts: 1,905
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Grace
    I've just read your post
    Melman has given you lots of advice so I can't add anymore
    I too had a dreadful time work wise with evil HR and ward manager ( I was a staff nurse working for the NHS) so you would have thought they cared but didn't
    Long story so will just tell you the outcome After 4 years of hell I retired aged 49 after 30yrs working with the same NHS trust with out even a thank you kiss my a*** nothing!
    I was lucky I had the support of my Occupational Health Dr based at my hospital, my GP, Orthopaedic consultant and rheumy registrar so my ill health retirement ran fairly smoothly
    I would recommend joining a union they are not much use really but do give you help advice and support also try citizens advice
    It does seem to me that they are bullying you but I'm not surprised as I was too
    Glad you are writing it all down if you have meetings with them please take someone with you as a witness
    After 4 years of constant battles with evil witch boss and evil HR I had 5 box files full of evidence ready to use against them
    I don't think I've anything else to add if you have any questions please pm me
    Keep fighting and don't let the b******s get you down!
    Maria