Is it always going to be there?
Is it always going to be there? I have moved your post so that it won’t be missed.
Kind regards
BCC Moderator
Is it always going to be there? posted on 26.02.06 12:20 am
kipper1
—I have a job interview on Monday. (BTW found it really difficult to find my way round this new-ish forum! I was ‘kipper’ but forgot my password). The ‘people’ want to know what my absences have been in the past 2 years. OK - had DCIS and then had mastectomy and then decided to just get on with it as I was lucky enough that my husband has private insurance and got the recon done(major DIEP recon) and then the other boob lifted to match… how do I explain that away to a lay person? Have read a post by someone who is a primary school teacher - snap. I took a lot of my holidays as part of the recovery process. I feel very angry that I have to start explaining all this away and it will probably count against me, even though they are not allowed to say that! Oh well - that’s the way it goes. Let’s see. It is really playing on my mind. And then I feel bad - many people are in far worse situations. One year mammogram in three weeks time and really worried.
— Hi Kipper,
I think you’ve just got to be upfront and say you’ve been off with BC. And you’ve now completed all the necesssary treatments. You don’t need to go into details. You could refer to your previous “good record”.
Are you currently in a teaching job now? Is the new job the same employer? They shouldn’t really use it against you although i know it would be hard to prove that they haven’t. The interview will be with at least 3 or 4 peopli i’d have thought so you should be judged on your experience, competencies and interview and no reference should be made to you sickness record in your circumstances. There are several people on this forum who are very knowledgeable about the law so may be able to help you.
I am a primary school teacher too and have agonised about having more time off for my reconstruction. I’ve timed it for the end of May so i’ll have the summer holiday to make sure i’m really recovered before i go back.
I had my first mammogram just over a week ago and i was really worried. This week is the anniversary of my diagnosis and i’ve been feeling sick going through the events of this time last year and reliving them.
I returned to work on a phased return in December and have been full time since the middle of January. I now feel just as harassed and pressured as i was this time last year despite my resolution to be far more organised and less stressed.
Good luck on Monday - just give it your best shot. You’ve been through a lot worse!
Best wishes
Kelley
Good Luck —Just wanted to wish you luck for your interview.
I too am a primary school teacher. I had a lot of time off due to a thyroid illness, then bc and reconstruction and to top it all I had trouble with recon and had to have a further operation. I just felt awful.
I try to book hospital appointments in the holidays but so often the hospital change them because consultants want to be off with there children(and who can blame them)!
I had an appointment last week at the hospital(booked specially for half term) to check another lump but unfortunately they did a biopsy so I have to go back for results on Tuesday. I am not looking forward to telling the head I need the afternoon off!!! Although I have to say work has been very supportive.
I hope all goes well for you I will keep my fingers crossed.
Suex
Job interviews Hi Kipper1
Just thought it would be useful for you to know that if you are having treatment or have recently had treatment for treatment then you are classed as “disabled” under the Disability Discrimination Act. As such, any interviewer has to look at your suitability for the post applied for and not discriminate against you because of prolonged absences for treatment.
Easier said than done I know, but you do have a lot of backup if you feel they have not been fair at interview.
I’ll be one year on from surgery in September but don’t have my first mammo until December because of radiotherapy, so know what you mean about things playing on your mind.
Good luck with your interview.
DeniseG