I work as a casual “pool” worker in a local government emergency services team- called in to cover staff leave and sickness (a bit like a supply teacher or a bank nurse only with regular sessions as well). I love my job but the pay, while it reflects anti-social hours and fits in with my “day job” running a business at home, is not great. My average pay is just below what I need to claim Statutory Sick Pay, mainly because my hours fluctuate. In March through May we had a run of staff sickness and I did extra hours while I was waiting for Chemo to start. The upshot is that I have boosted my pay just over the line so I can now claim SSP which as I am about to have cycle 3 of FEC-T is a welcome blessing.
So far so good - the pay is in my account and I have my SSP form. However things at work have not gone very well. To begin with, I came clean about my diagnosis right at the start of my treatment, and then updated my boss when I knew about the chemo, making it clear I wanted to work through my first 2-3 cycles. He was fine about that (only expressing concern that I might not be able to do it physically). I went to a lot of trouble to rearrange my sessions to fit in with my treatment (ie avoiding weeks 1 and 2) and we talked about giving my work which wouldn’t necessarily involve direct contact out in the community. Nothing transpired. I went in for my first session after chemo cycle 1 (having had to cancel only two sessions cause I was unwell); by this time because of hair loss I was wearing headscarf and chemo cap underneath- v. neat and colour-coordinated. Mr Boss was alarmed this time and called me into the interview room and told me he was taking me off the rota entirely and also keeping me in the office for that session. This was hilarious because it was clear that he was shocked by my appearance. I do wonder if he was over-reacting because of an ethos in the workplace which is anti-religious symbols and also anti-headscarf? He wanted me to get a note from my GP but this wouldn’t wash as I have never been signed off work for my condition- not unwell for long enough! We agreed I needed an Occupational Health assessment. Now, three weeks on, I haven’t heard a dickey bird but that is ok because I need to claim SSP anyhow.
I did take the time to consult ACAS. They were clear that my boss’ actions or inactions could be held to be discriminatory. Cancer is a disability and I should have had an OH assessment long ago. The way I feel now (exhausted and emotional on the roller coaster that is Chemo) I consider this is a battle to fight in the future. I have my SSP and a whole raft of chemo-contingent treatment to look forward to. When I went to see my GP I had a kindly lecture about the dangers of chemo and cancer knocking me out for a twelvemonth; one of his partners is recovering from BC so he should know!
Hi Penny
I am posting links to the BCC ‘Finances and practicalities’ information page for others who may read your post and be in a similar situation:
Many thanks
Lucy
I hope you get this sorted out when you are well enough.
My layperson’s understanding is that any “anti-headscarf” policy/ethos (unless for genuine reasons eg Health and Safety) would already have been unlawful (before you had cancer) as they indirectly discriminate against Muslim women,
adviceguide.org.uk/england/discrimination_e/discrimination_discrimination_because_of_race_religion_or_belief_e/discrimination_because_of_religion_or_belief.htm
Ah yes, Black Swan, but will I ever be able to prove It! I don’t think! I think I have enough of a case without that if push ever came to shove. Which it may never do because when I go back to work I may have a new manager!