[goldielocks]

Hi, not sure where to post this so i apologise if its in the wrong place. I have been off work for the past few months with a bad flare and depression because of it:sad: I have to return to work soon otherwise i will go on half pay and as im on my own, its up to me to keep a roof over mine and my sons head.
My lupus nurse has said i should see occupational health and ask for a phased return because she thinks i can only manage a few days a week at most.
My dilema is, would i still get full pay if im on a phased return or would i only get paid for the days i go in. I did ring occ health and ask but the lady with all the answers is off at the minute and i cant rest until i sort this out.
Any info would be much appreciated and thankyou in advance.

Hugs and best wishes
Goldie x

 

[LoopyLoo]

Hi,

Yes you would be on full pay on a phased return depending on what terms you agree with the company. They receive additional sick payments for you to return part time.

I am in the same situation, after being off for 6 months I have to return to work despite not being well enough to do so. There was no question of me returning full time - think of it this way.....one day you are not fit to work and the next you are going back full time after months off ill. It doesn't just affect you physically but also mentally.

I work from 10am till 2pm 3 days a week and use some of my annual leave to also cover a 6 week phased return. I am due to be made redundant before xmas so hopefully I won't have to return full time as I couldn't manage.

Your Occ Health and Human Resource depts should be working together to bring you back the best way for you. Try calling your HR dept to see if you can get any joy.

HTH,

Pam xxx

 

[sandy123]

Hi Goldielocks

I see that you are in a dilema regarding work,like you i have been on sick since Nov and i worked full time.
The occupational health was involved for a while with my case,the only problem was like yourself my boss talked about when i go back would it be easier to go back on less hours, they also said i would go back gradually i asked how this would affect my earnings at the time and was told i would only be paid for the hours i worked.
You may not be treated like i was, as at the time i was not diagnosed with lupus
but as soon as they found out i was finnished on the grounds of ill health.
Like you i live in the north east (Gateshead) so if you wish to keep in touch do not hesitate to reply.
I hope everything turns out ok for you.
Hugs Sandy

 

[goldielocks]

Thankyou Pam and Sandy for your replies. I will ring occ health first thing in the morning and see what they say. Im not even sure my work will be happy having me back because they know how ill i am at the minute but theres nothing else i can do. Oh for a big lottery win .
It would be lovely to keep in touch Sandy, i have wonderful family and friends but i think the only people who can truly understand what im going through are people who are suffering from the same thing themselves, so thankyou i feel better already.

Love Gail x

 

[Joandublin]

Hi there

The very best of luck tomorrow Gail. I understand completely the need to work as I am also the one who keeps the roof over the head, so working is critical to me.

I think each situation and workplace is different - at least it is here in Ireland. I hope you have a good employer who can sustain you through a phased return. You might want to see if it is possible for you to work lesser hours anyway in the future. Do the numbers and see what income you can manage with and if your employer is open to you working lesser hours.

Let us know how you get on
Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

 

[goldielocks]

Thankyou Joan,
I rang occ health and explained my situation and im waiting for them to get back to me, apparently i have to go in and see a doctor. I just hope they dont say im not fit to go back at all yet because for financial reasons i have to.
I work full time and can barely manage on that wage so theres no way i could cut my hours unfortunately.
I did apply for dla so maybe i could work less hours but they turned me down. Twice ! I put an appeal in but i dont think they will change their minds. i went to citizens advice who told me to go to welfare rights to help with my appeal but they said they'd never heard of anyone getting dla for lupus ! So i told them there are lots of people on the lupus support site i go on who get it but they werent interested so guess im on my own on that one.
Anyway thankyou all for taking the time to reply and will let you know how i get on.

Love Gail xx

 

[goldielocks]

Hi,
Hope you're all well as can be. Just wanted to update what happened when i went for my occupational health appointment. I lost my job ! Wasnt expecting that, im absolutely devastated. They said i wasnt physically fit enough to work in theatre and my white count is low so it's advisable that i dont have any patient contact either. They said they would find me a more sedentry job where i didnt have to come into contact with any patients. I work in a hospital for gods sake i said, its full of patients. He said it could take at least six weeks and they've put me on half pay. I really really hate my life at the minute and what this illness has taken away from me but i know there are people far worse off than me so am trying to stay positive. Keep having horrible palpitations because of the stress i guess so if anyones got any suggestions how i deal with them i'd be very grateful, someone told me to breath into a bag but that aint working. Id murder for a glass of wine but im not even allowed that !

Love Gail xx

 

[Maia]

I'm sorry to hear they took your job away from you... I hope these 6 weeks pass quickly for you and you are able to find a job that you still enjoy with the limitation being imposed on you.

As to your question - I would recommend deep belly breathing instead of doing the bag Also, talking with a therapist can help give you lots of ideas that might be more specifically helpful to you.

I have a "body scan" audio recording that I can play where you focus on your toes all the way up to your scalp and alternately tense/relax each body part --- and in the end you are very relaxed and focused on the here and now instead of wondering/worrying about the future.

There are definitely a lot of options that are available to help; sometimes just the passage of time is what is needed too.

(((hugs)))

 

[Joandublin]

(((((((Gail)))))))

Im very sorry to hear this. I dont know what words of wisdom I can give you. It must be a terrible shock to hear you cannot do the work you have trained for.

Take your time and take a long, deep breath. I hope you have friends and family that can help you at the moment. There are other options open to you in the future but Im sure it feels like such a pile of crap right now:hugbetter:

Please let us know how you are over the next few days

Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

 

[Zoi]

(((((((((Gail))))))))))) :hugbetter:

I'm so sorry you lost your job....

It must be an awful, awful shock for you and what a horrible way to find out about it too.... And with no warning...

We are all here for you whenever and if you need us...

Sending loads of strengthening hugs your way :grouphug2:

Zoi

 

[Katharine]

Hello Gail and (((((((hugs))))))))

I'm so sorry to hear about your job loss. You must feel as if the rug has been taken from under your feet.

I know exactly how important the income from a job can be and I can really understand your stress. I used to be so good at handling all types of stress but I would fall apart on financial matters.

I have learnt with time to not worry about what I can't change and also that there are often options we might not think of when applying for aid (though I really haven't a clue about the situation in England).

sorry I don't have any brilliant ideas to help you out,
:grouphug2:

Katharine

 

[lazylegs]

Hi Gail,

Utterly amazing. So many people are trying to get out of working and you get fired while trying to go back. I am so sorry this happened to you. I will be keeping my fingers crossed in hopes that they will find you a replacement position quickly.

:hug:
Lazylegs

 

[goldielocks]

Thankyou all so very much for your hugs and kind words, it does help immensely.
Now i've had a couple of days for it to sink in, im angry that my career seems to be over on the say so of one doctor so i have told them im not happy and am getting a second opinion, if i dont fight for myself then no one else is going to, i might lose but at least i'll know i tried.
They are writing to my lupus specialist for a full medical report and she didnt have a problem with me working in a hospital so fingers crossed i might be able to salvage something out of this.
Once again thankyou everyone who took the time to comfort me, now that im off work indefinitely, i will now have more time to come on this site and get to know you all better.

Love Gail xx

 

[Blue*Mist]

Hi Goldielocks,
I'm in the US, and really not sure how things work where you are... But it may help you to know that this happened to a friend of mine who is a nurse. After being on unpaid leave (FMLA) She was told by her MD's and employer she couldn't have direct patient contact. The medical center told her they had to find her a replacement position (same $)... She was devastated and was not able to work for about 2 months while they tried to place her.... The hospital eventually placed her in a 'business' position and she loves it ! She's learning a new aspect of her nursing she's working with a paralegal on insurance issues.. and looks forward to going to work despite her illness... I hope something like this happens to you....

 

[goldielocks]

update

Hi everyone,
Hope all is well. Just a quick update on my situation. I went into work to see my bosses and they were fantastic, they said they were going to help me fight to keep my job because they see no reason why i shouldnt be able to do it with a bit help. I saw a copy of the letter this occ health doctor has sent to my manager and i think that he thinks i should be sitting at home wrapped in cotton wool (if only :lol but here in the real world i have to grit my teeth and get on with it to keep a roof over my head. I might suggest next time i see him that he pay my bills so i dont have to work, see if he's as keen then to take my job away from me.

Love Gail xxx