Hello
Is there anyone out there in the same position as me??? This is the first time I have ever posted but I am so angry scared and upset…
I went back to work on 4th April 2011 after 13 months off work (treatment only finished 23rd Dec and am now having Herceptin) and they are being awful to me. The plan was to do five mornings 9.30 till 2pm but the first week could on do three mornings as I was just so tired so on my docs advice last week I only did two mornings mon and weds. Well on the weds my boss calls me in to say that the company insurers are concerned about me being medically fit to do my job and when would I increase my hours and he needed to remind me that my job is important within the company and it is full time. Like I am stupid… I assured him that I would increase my hours as soon as I could and I needed my job as I have not had any money for the last 13 months (only SSP). My partners and family have said just ride it out if they push you out then you can take them to a tribunal but the stress is incredible. I am have chest pains panic attacks and not sleeping, all this on top of going through my treatment… what b@*@*@*s!!! I would’t mind but they have taken some one on to help me, ulterior motives I think.
So is there anyone out there that can advise or empathise as I feel really alone and just want to go in on Monday with my notice but why should I be forced out… I am forgetting what it was like to feel grateful to be alive as I am so stressed…
Please help… Thank you…
Hi there Fluffy Chick
Firstly, welcome to our forums, I’m sure you will find lots of help and support here.
While you are waiting for other responses, I thought you may like to read one of our publications, it’s our EMPLOY charter and it highlights responsibilities for employers. I do hope you find it useful:
You also might find it useful to give our Helpline a call, they’re on hand to offer support and point you in the direction of other sources of help and advice. They’re open weekdays 9-5 and Saturday 9-2. The number is 0808 800 6000.
Hope you find this helpful.
Kind regards.
Louise
Facilitator
Hi fluffy chick,
its easy for me to say because i havent got to go there and be in the environment,
i dont know what type of person you are obviously, whether you are outgoing, or more for the quiet life,
but one thing is for certain, i WOULDNT LET IT EFFECT MY HEALTH, in the way it seems to be affecting you,
i would take a laid back attitude to it all, whats the worst they can do sack you, then surely you have legal rights, (you need to find out what they are now just in case you need them)
I am sorry fully chick, it aint worth it girl, its only a job obviously i realise you need your job, but whats worth more to you that or your health.
if i were you i would step back, and do you know what, if its making you so ill and upset, i would go back on the sick, and if they get rid of you, take them to a tribunal, in the long run, you wont have to endure the stress, you will more than likely come out financially on top, ok you will need to look for another job, but hey (whilst obviously you employer has to look out for the company) they werent worth jack s&%t anyway.
chill, step back, think of number one, and dont worry, its a rat race girl, hope it all turns out ok, it would be nice to know how you get on.
all the very best to you liz xxx
Hi there I could not agree more with everyone else. They have no right to treat you like this and go back on the sick but don’t let them beat you!! I think this is something that quite a lot of people have to face and it is so unfair after having to deal with the disease. Make sure you log everything and if need be take them further. We have rights! Words like victimisation, unfairly treated etc etc I could go on. I have been off since January and my GP will not allow me to return to work until treatment over. Still unsure how employers are going to pay me despite asking. Will wait and see. My view is that it will be ‘their loss’. Take care and be strong. Enjoy weekend and forget about work:) Adi
As I understand it, you fall under the Disability act (not sure of the proper name) so the company has certain statutory obligations towards you.
I’m not in the same position as I was unemployed when I was diagnosed so I don’t even have a job to go back to, but I would be as upset as you are if I were treated that way.
Give the helpline a ring before 2pm today and have a chat with them. They are VERY knowledgeable and you should get lots of practical advice from them which should help you cope on Monday.
Best of luck.
CM
x
Wow you are all so fab, big big thank you for your positive messages…
I know you are right work is not worth it and yep the worst thing they can do is sack me and that won’t kill me!! What I need is PERSPECTIVE…
Do you know I am so glad I have joined this forum, never in a million years did I think I would be doing this but it truly is great…
I am going to call the helpline Monday after work and will update you. Now I am going to chill with the papers and enjoy the sun…
Thanks to you all
fluffy xxxx
It’s the Disability Discrimination Act which basically means you are to a degree protected from unfair employers.
Hi Fluffy Chick
Yes you are protected by the DDA and your employer is legally required to make “reasonable adjustment” for you when you go back to work - they cannot threaten you with the sack; if they do I think you have every right to take them to a tribunal. They also hava a duty of care to you and this includes care for your emotional wellbeing too - not to put you under too much stress esecially when you are in a position where this would be likely to damamge your health. If you belong to a union I would suggest definately speaking to them, if not and it isn’t resolved then go to the CAB for advice. Try to keep a record of anything that is said to you by your boss. Take someone with you to support you if you can in any meetings. They cannot force you out, and if they make you feel so bad that you felt you had to leave you could bring a case of “constructive dismissal”. Its horrible, I know, when you are in a bad place at work, but as all the others say, its your health that is the important thing - don’t let it get in the way of your recovery from what has clearly been a long and still ongoing treatment. Hope you got to chill out a bit this afternoon. Hope this helps a bit. Love Mo xx
Hello
Many thanks to Liz, Adi, CM, Modbird and Mo for your comments which I have really taken to heart…
Gave myself a good talking to and if I can face chemo then I can face anything… Positive thinking has always got me through and this is what I need now… I will positively win the lottery, ha ha!!!
Enjoy the sun everyone and have a fab day… it is so nice and comforting to know there are so many lovely people out there…
Fluffy xxxx
hi, i am too finding work difficult, i work 12 hour shifts days and nights, i have finished surgery and rads 3 years ago but on exemastane and find nights nearly impossible, i have asked for permenant days which i know is possible( colleague returned from maternity leave on days only) they are now trying to get rid of me thru capability they say although i do my job well and the same as everyone else they cannot accomodate me ,they feel as they have allowed me swaps on some nights with other colleauges that is a reasonable adjustment . i am fighting this but it is causing me sleepless nights and stress, so i understand. sorry for rant.
x
Hi,
I’m in a similar position and not had a good response from my employers. Despite only taking 6 weeks in total overall for surgery and to get over 25 sessions of radiotherapy i felt really let down when no one was looking after my workload and most of it was left till i returned. It’s easy to say not to let it bother you and i said that to myself (and still do ) every day but it’s hard when you feel that they just don’t care or understand you are simply still struggling emotionally. I went to my union but they weren’t too much of a help and i mentioned ‘discrimination’ and they seemed to get a bit of a fright about that but i ended up not taking it any further as i would have kept on being more stressed out by it. In hindsight i should have just went off sick again but i had ltd paid sick leave and pay all my bills myself, so it isn’t easy. I would also look at the Equalities Act 2010, you can get a MacMillans Cancer guide to it on their website. Hope things work out for you.
Hi, Fuffy Chick,
Just to add if you are not in a union you can still seek advice from ACAS.
This is an independent arbitration service and offers employers and employees free upto date advice re employment law and the workplace.
You can find their details/tel number by just putting ACAS into google.
Please do not ‘give in your notice’ as you will effectively be making yourself unemployed and there are consequences to this.
I know you do not need the stress but please don’t do anything hasty whilst you are feeling this way as you may regret further on down the line.
Take the advice of ACAS.
Best of luck Deb x
Just dashing off to work aarghh but wondered if you have an Occ Health dept at work?
Try not to let it drag you down ,you do not need this and you are the most important person in this, look after No 1 !
Hugs
Dot
xxx
The Disability Discrimination Act is now the Equality Act and cancer is covered automatically as a disability from the moment you’re diagnosed. If they fail to make reasonable adjustments, the awards against them can be as high as £750,000. They need to think very seriously about their responsibilities to you. Get good advice, fast.
(I’m an employer and have to know the law in this and comply with this, and so do they)
Ann x
(who also has breast cancer and is having to work part time)
Hi
You are definately covered by the Equality Act 2010. I found the Macmillan site had a very good guide written for Employers.
I think it was called The Equality Act and Cancer or something along those lines.
I’d order a copy and then when you know what your employer has to deliver on and you can if you need to stand your ground.
Hope all goes well
LOL
Lynne
Hi
Well went to work today with my head held high and a big smiley face!!
I am determined that I will not let the stress get to me in fact when my boss spoke to me he was a nice as pie, bit of a jekyl and hyde!!
Thanks Ann for your advice I am going to log everything and will take control as much as I can with regard to upping my hours.
Sadly no occy health or even a hr person and no union but not to worry.
I have just spoken to the advice line here and they are sending me leaflets from macmillan and have been very good and helpful as have you all, thanks…
Off for a walk now which I hope will wake me up a bit!!
Fluffy xxxx
Good for you Fluffy hope it all works out well for you. xx