Two years on from diagnosis and one year on from treatment and Im still not back at work… due to challenging employer.
Am now in tribunal with them in Jan08.
So just wanted a rant!
7 months after being signed back to work, I am now receiving letters from employer which state that they want me to return. They say that they will place a chair half way up the stairs to enable me to reach the new office. Why has it taken them 7 months to respond? I have lost faith and trust and respect in them, and yet my advisors say that I should try out their chair and see if it works.
I haven’t been paid for those months and yet they expect me to smile sweetly and return to work and try out their chair.
Am I being selfish? Am I being awkward? They stated that they didn’t want anyone else to catch cancer from me? What? So I sent them some documents about cancer. And now they want me to return. They have made me feel like a leper.
Oh well… I never thought that some employers could be so insensitive to those who have a life threatening disease. But now I know that they still do exist.
I do so hope that life for some of you is a bit better than mine is currently.
So sorry for ranting.
It could be that an employment tribunal would agree that reinstatement plus compensation for 7 months’ lost pay will be fair. I sense that you do not wish to go back because of the hurt they have caused you?
You mention “advisors” - does this mean a solicitor specialising in employment law? Do instruct a competent solicitor, because you mustn’t risk losing on all points (i.e. no job, can’t get a decent reference, insufficient compensation). The Law Society website gives specialisms within firms of solicitors.
Bear in mind that cancer patients can’t easily get new jobs. A cancer patient who needs special arrangements (you have trouble climbing stairs) will find it even harder. Don’t imagine that the Disability Discrimination Act removes all barriers. Potential employers can always find an excuse, not linked to your disability, why they preferred another candidate.
People who lose at an Employment Tribunal are seen as troublemakers.
For these reasons, you should seriously consider if you should accept reinstatement.
Hi Lamkin, i think you should heed Holey’s advice about a competent solicitor, but at the end of the day you must do whats best for yourself, were i worked they are expecting me to return in about 3 months time, even though my ssp will have finished, they are going to try to find me a job i can do thats not too heavy, i think they are really good in that they will try to create a new job for me, and i’ve only been there just over a year, so am hoping for a good future with them as i know its going to be difficult getting a job anywhere else.
The employer has seemed reluctant to have me back but after receiving the tribunal papers they suddenly decided to change their minds. But they are unwilling to pay any money for the lost months. I am not allowed to leave without it affecting my benefit.
So I have to go to the tribunal.
My advisors are ACAS and legal people.
I know that Jan is not that far away now but it just seems like it is…