A bad work situation -continued
A bad work situation -continued I posted a couple of weeks a situation that was happening to me at work.
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in November 2005, had chemo, radio and now on Tamoxifen and two weeks ago today I was told that my mammogram was clear and that it was good news. A reason to celebrate you would think but the happiness only lasted for two days and then I actually went into depression.
My situation at work was they kept telling me I hadn’t done my job for the past year, I hadn’t reached my sales targets and wasn’t doing my job properly. This was all leading up to my appraisal which was actually today. My appraisal was due over a month ago and I’ve been stressed waiting for it to happen.
It went pretty much how I thought it would. They didn’t have a good word to say about me, not one! They told me I hadn’t reached my targets but said obviously we will take into account your cancer but you are still no where near your targets! So we will review in 3 months to see where you are!
I told my boss that I thought she was a bully and that she had constantly been having a go at me about my targets when I was recovering from treatment. Which she denied!
She asked if I was now not disabled since I’d been told the mammogram was ok and could I do my job properly. I said I was still recovering and that you cant put a date on when you feel recovered with cancer. Results don’t mean you are instantly recovered it takes time to heal. She wasn’t happy and said she would seek legal advice.
They went on to tell me that all, not some all of my clients but all of them said I wasn’t doing my job properly! but wouldn’t tell me what was said or who had said what.
I’ll not bore you with every detail but I held everything in until I finished work tonight and as soon as the door opened I couldn’t stop crying.
I managed to cope some how through the cancer but can’t seem to cope through this. If I had a million pounds I wouldn’t go back! Anyone got a spare million or even a job for me that would pay my current wage? I really don’t want to go back but feel I’m not strong enough to go and get another job some where else.
I just want a job I can enjoy, not be stressed about and an understanding boss.
I’m so sorry for moaning and feeling sorry for myself but I just can’t pull myself round. I would go on the sick but they don’t pay me sick pay or time off for hospital appointments (the contract changed when I go cancer)
Sorry
From winger x
Hi Patsy I have exactly the same profile as you except I have only had 2 chemos as only diagnosed at end of August.
I just wanted to say that your employers are complete bas*****ards. Mine have been excellent but I have read posts from other ladies who have had problems.
The Disability Discrimination Act covers you once you have had cancer. There is no end date to this (this is my understanding). I would strongly suggest you go and speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Also if you walk out of your job you could well have a case for constructve dismissal and can take them to an employment tribunal.
I really hope you can sort things out at work - we certainly don’t need any added stress with this awful BC.
Great big hugs to you - sorry can’t help with the million.
Lesley
xx
TAKE ADVICE Hi Patsy,
How could they be so cruel, how could you possibly reach any targets.
I hate people that have no understanding of what this thing does to us mentally.
Do they not realise you could have taken a whole year or more off sick.
Winger is right they are bas…, but take advice and be prepared with what they come back with as it sounds to me as though they are looking for a way of asking you to leave their employ. Try to be one jump ahead of them and make that your target.
Take care all
Linda
Hi Winger, Hi Winger,
This is horrible. You have a right to be angry and upset. I’m angry and upset too just reading your message. I don’t like bullies.and your boss is a bully.
My advice for what it is worth.
Go to Citizen’s Advice and tell them all this. Ask about the Disability Discrimination legislation. It may be that your employer has to make allowances for you or even offer you a less stressy job. Ask about the change in your contract when you were diagnosed with breast cancer. Check whether or not it was legal? Did you sign anything? Even if you have signed something if you can show that you are the only person who has a contract that fails to give sick pay or time off for hospital appointments you may be able to show that your employer is discriminating.
Are you a member of a union? I suspect you aren’t but if you are then let them know about this.
If you are asked to any other reviews, whether performance or health related, insist on being given advance notice and take a friend with you. It is much harder to bully two people than one.
Keep notes of any bullying incidents giving details, times and dates. This is important evidence should you resign and claim constructive dismissal or if they should try to dismiss you.
Hope that this is useful.
Best wishes,
Sue
To all -thank you My appraisal hit me hard, didn’t sleep, threw up and had panic attacks!
I’m scared to take action though as I need a job to pay my bills live on my own, so I’m putting all efforts into finding another job and hopefully with a boss who respects me!
I’m still hoping I’m going to win the lottery it would make life a lot easier. So keep your fingers crossed for me!
Thank you for all your kind thoughts and suggestions.
Karen x
Not a nice scenario - in my view getting pretty close to constructive dismissal. I suggest you go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and ask for legal advice.
For patsy88 Hi patsy88
It sounds like you’re under a lot of pressure from your employer at the moment. BCC have begun a new project on breast cancer in the work place and you may get some help and advice from our free phone helpline on 0808 800 6000 if you would like to talk to someone in confidence about the problems you are dealing with. The help line is open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm.
With best wishes
BCC Host
Dont give up… Hi Patsy
Like the other girls I was so mad to read your posting…dont be frightened about finding out your rights, you can do it quitely. I went to see a solicitor (it was free for the first 1/2 hour) in the end I took a payout and I had already decided that I did not want to be in the same room as people who can be so cruel to another human being. Maybe this is the change that you need. I got another job 2 weeks after finishing treatment and the company is fantastic, I know that its pretty aful whilst its going on but maybe its for the best…but dont leave without finding out where you stand.
I am now incapacity benefit and get assistance to be at work (up to 15 hours a week) it is supposed to wean you back slowly until you feel able to cope again.
load of hugs
Debbie x
Work Hi Patsy
CancerBACUP do a very good booklet called “Work and cancer”. It tells you all about your rights at work and about the DDA. You are covered by the act, even now when you have had a clear mammogram. The booklet states" The DDA covers workers who were disabled in the past, even if they are no longer disabled…So, their employer must not discriminate against them for a reason relating to their past cancer" Also, your employer has a duty to make reasoanable adjustments to your workplace and working practices to make sure you are not at a disadvantage.Examples of discriminatory practice are given and these include:-
- an emplyer disputing your entitlement to sick pay
-being harrassed
having an unfavourable appraisal or performance review " for example, if you have had a lot of sick leave or tiredness and have not met targets/objectives"
CancerBACUP are on freephone 0808 800 1234
Get yourself a copy of this booklet, it’s free, and get yourself along to CAB. They can give you a list of solicitors who will give you a free half hour consultation so you can run this past them if you want to. Your boss sounds like a callous bitch and she does n’t sound like she knows the legislation. I was a manager and I would not have treated someone like this because it’s wrong and I know it’s not legal. I hope your boss gets leprosy and her nose rots off!!
Try to keep your chin up and go get her, girl!!!
Geraldine
been there I do feel for you Patsy as my employers added to my stress by being really difficult to me. It backfired and they ended up keeping me on full employment for much long than they needed while they ‘sorted it out’ and gave me a modest redundancy package; it was small comfort to me as I felt very used (especially as I had given them 22 years of service).
At least I got something for my anguish and so must you. I agree with everything that has been said by the others but I do know that it can take ages to get an appointment with CAB so the half hour free sounds with a lawyer sounds good. You could also have a look at your home insurance policy - they often have free legal advice attached and that might be worth taking, even if it just sharpens you up to ask all the right questions at your free half hour elsewhere.
Keep records of incidents etc, and ask for everything your employer says, or changes they make, in writing.
Keep your chin up and give them your best shot!
Blondie