Hi
I am hoping to return to work soon after almost 3 months off before, during and after dx of lungs and bone mets.
I will be asking my GP to ‘tick’ the box for phased return and talking to the company doc about this too.
In the longer term, I would like to reduce my hours on a more permanent basis.
Does anyone have any legal knowledge about where I stand on this?
I want to go in there with my request and some knowldge behind it.
Tks
H
Hi HelHel,
It sounds as if you work for a large organisation so there shouldn’t be an issue with the phased return. There isn’t any right, as such, to cut your hours, however, your employer does have a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments (this is under the Equalities Act, previously DDA)as you are classed as having a disability. In your case reducing your hours may well be viewed as a reasonable adjustment. If your job cannot be done on reduced hours (remember job shares etc. can be considered)then you could put it to the employer that you feel an alternative role (if there is one) could amount to a reasonable adjustment.
Hope this is helpful - feel free to get back to me if you have any questions.
Good luck with your return.
Take care.
HI H
Agree with Bumbly. Like it or not, we are now classed as disabled under the equalities act which feels a bit strange on the days when I am zipping around but sums it up on other not so good days.
I work for the NHS and hope to being going back in December. I currently job share and work 2 days one week and 3 the next (so basically 10 days per month) with another woman who has a small child and is happy to be flexible.
There are many options out there and hope that your org and HR are understanding.
Good luck
Laurie x
Hi
I have just returned to work yesterday after 2 months off from diagnosis of bone mets. I arranged a phased return with my line manager and OH prior to returning.
When my manager asked if I needed any alterations to my desk / work station have to admit that shocked me a little bit as I hadn’t even thought of that and keep telling people I’m still who I used to be and don’t want to be treat any differently but this question made me realise that I will be treat slightly differently!
I too am looking for reduced hours, hopefully if critical illness cover is paid for my mortgage, this is something I have wanted to do anyway for the last few years since returning from mat leave.
Yes, from my experience I agree with BumblyBee. By the way, MacMillan have some good info available on this subject including an information pack for employers - I gave one to my HR Director a while ago.
Hi - thank you everyone for your very helpful comments and info.
I now also have the employers charter, which is great.
I work for a smallish co in the UK, owned by a bigger co in the USA.
I am hoping for much support from my manager and HR. The longer term plan will be to reduce by 2 hours a day, which isnt much. Of course may have to revise this at a later point, but hope that is a long long long long way off!
Thanks again
If you see another posting by me, its because I couldnt find this one!
BTW - is there a setting that will notifies by email if someone has posted a reply to a thread placed by me?
Hi Hel
Re email notifications: Think you only get an email if someone sends you a pm. You can save a discussion to your profile tho - that makes it easier to find the topics you’re interested in.
Dx
Hi all
I accessed the publication aimed towards employers. It is very good. Is actually a charter, so I guess points have to be followed?
I will also give a copy to my place of work, I think it’ll be helpful to them to know something about what I am going through.
Thanks again for all your help,
H
Hi all
Well today was the day to start back at work. Slightly later start than planned, as I was asked if I would help GP who had students with him learning respiratory. Happy to help.
So nice to see everyone, and I think they were happy to see me too!
Flowers on my desk from my colleagues, such a nice gesture.
The time whizzed by and looking forward to going back tomorrow. Not often you say that about work.
Health wise, I have to say I am feeling pretty good! Long may it last.
Love to all you lovely ladies out there.
X
The “flowers on my desk” part of your message bought a tear to my eye - what a lovely thing to do.
Good luck with re-adjusting back into work, sounds like your return has started well.
I too returned to work for 2 1/2 days - a full job share! after my secondary diagnosis. It was so the right decision for me! I really appreciate my days off and have quality me time (and more time with friends and my mum)and as I work the second half of the week…no Sunday Night Blues!. I then actually enjoy going into work on Wednesday lunchtime, everybody is so pleased to see me and I am so busy (I am a Reception Teacher) I don’t think of cancer for 3 days a week. I also think it gives my son the impression ‘all is well!’
My headteacher is terrified of upsetting me, or doing the wrong thing and bends over backwards to help. He bought me a wheeled chair after I returned from having a hip/femur replacement, so I can scoot about without too much walking. I know he collaborates with occupational Health too.
Good Luck all of you if you decide to return to work, don’t be afraid to ask for help, in my experience all the offers of help can overwhelm me! and as somebody said earlier we are covered under the disability discrimination act! If you are returning to work and worry about the reduction in salary - you are eligible for DLA if you have secondaries. I strongly recommend pursuing this (contact Macmillan if you need any help - they are superb and sort everything out for you.) This money has enabled me to boost my diminished salary and enable me to work part-time. I felt guilty at first because I feel so well, but I look at it as… like the pension I will probably never receive and I have certainly paid enough taxes over the years.
Take care all xx