Wow, talk about kicking a girl when she's down........................

I have just received a letter from work "inviting" me to a meeting to be held next week to discuss my absences from work. My manager and someone from the Human Resources department will be present and I have been told I can invite a work colleague or a representative from my trade union.
This letter is just a polite way of informing me I am to receive a disciplinary due to my recent sickness record, I've been off since my sudden diagnosis 7 weeks ago.

The thing that's worrying me is could I lose my job? Every day of sickness I've had has been covered by a Doctors note and I've even provided all my discharge papers as evidence. This is just what I don't need right now!

I don't have any friends at work so I can't invite anyone to the meeting and I'm not a member of a trade union, but I don't want to be alone in a room with two officials bombarding me with questions. Some days I really struggle with my speech and forming sentences, and as for my memory......forget it!

I really think my employers just think I'm off work with a headache and they don't understand that's not even 1% of what this illness truly is.

I'm literally sick with worry. what can I do?

Kerry

Hi Kerry, it's horrible how they are treating you especially when you have proof of doctors notes and discharge papers. I can't imagine ho worried you are right now and how they are treating you is very unfair!

The only thing I can think of to suggest for advice and information on a representative is ACAS, They will have everything you need to know.

ACAS

I really hope this helps and I hope you're ok!

Laura xxx

I am so sorry for you. Its so hard because people really think that we just have a headache and there really is much more. The way they are treating you is not fair ;(

Be sure to print up copies of the pamphlets that are available here on this site regarding "to how to talk to ..."
Also include the lists of symptoms that we tend to have. That may help them to understand.
Wishing you the best of luck.

Hi I'm new to this Group and was only diagnosed with IIH last year. However, I have spoken with the Occupational Therapy department where I work and have been deemed as a person with a disability under the Equalities Act 2010.

I don't know the full details of what this means but ACAS should be able to guide you on this. I do know that it means your employer has to make "reasonable adjustments" to help a person with a disability continue in their employment. This could be a change in working hours if you can no longer work full time or phased return to work after a period of sickness.

Give your employer as much information about IIH as you can. I printed off a load of information from the internet to take into my Occupational Therapy appointment but I was lucky in the fact that the OT doctor had already done some research before my appointment too.

Don't let your employer bully you. You can take anyone into an interview with you at work as support for you, especially if you are still off on the sick. If the person you take is not an employee or trade union rep, they can still go in with you but cannot participate in the interview but could take notes for you.

Good luck with it all but definitely contact ACAS before you go in.

I'm not really sure how things work in your area, but I've had issues here in the states..it's gone both ways and definitely not a fun place to be. I'm sorry you have to endure it! It sounds like you've gotten some good advice..I'd do the documentation, check w/ ACAS, and take someone supportive along w/ you. Let us know how it all turns out!

Keeping you in my thoughts,

Julie

I'm genuinely touched that you've all taken the time to offer me advice, I don't feel so worried now.
I will definitely contact ACAS and see how they can help.........If not and I get the sack, can anyone lend me a tenner?? :lol:

kerry

Hi Kerry,

The ACAS helpline is very helpful. I had an employment problem when I was pregnant and they gave me loads of information. I recommend giving them a ring and having a pen and paper handy to take lots of notes.

Having been a retail manager for many years I can say that it is possible to dismiss someone for being ill on the grounds they are not capable of performing their job. HOWEVER, you are a long way from that by the sounds of it. They first have to show that they have make reasonable adjustments as previously mentioned and they have to support you. They have an obligation to do so. But equally their argument will be that they have a business to run and they need you to fulfill your duties by being there. I might be able to offer you a bit more advice if you want to PM me and tell me what job you do.

I would ask if you can take someone from outside of work to the meeting. Send them some info on IIH to read before the meeting so they are clued up. If there are changes they can make for you that would help then write them down - even consider writing and telling them this before the meeting to give them a chance to see if its feasible. I think if they can see you are trying to work with them to manage your absence they will be supportive - most companies are .

Good luck - and I'll lend you a tenner if needs be

Sounds like you have been given some good ideas, Kerry. I wish we had something like your ACAS way back when in the 70's when I was fired from a job because I did too much work :roll: .