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Original poster

Dr has advised me not to go back in September (teacher)

197 replies

IrisJoy · 25/08/2020 12:04

I have just had an appointment with my consultant. They have advised me extremely strongly not to return to my school in September. I am a primary school teacher who has had a lung transplant.
I don't know why I am writing this really. Maybe it's a wwyd? Or would you judge me for not returning.
Unfortunately it's a new job so the school don't know me. I feel that I would be letting them down terribly. Especially as I don't know when it would be safe to go in.
I am wondering whether I need to resign from a job I haven't started. I don't know if I would be paid. I hope not in a way as I feel bad enough as it is.
I have emailed the head and I am waiting for her to get in contact.
It's so hard for a lot of people to understand,as the government are so adament that shielding has ended. Tbh I would be the same if I was 'healthy'.
Just after a few wise mumsnet words I suppose....

OP posts:
ssd · 25/08/2020 17:06

I can't believe anyone with a single brain cell would judge you.
You aren't being anxious or cautious or silly, you are taking sound medical advice from someone who knows you.

SheilaHammond · 25/08/2020 17:12

I'm a HT. I absolutely wouldn't have you back against medical advice. My own job would be on the line as I have a duty of care to you. Also don't resign...the employer (school or LA etc) will have to accommodate you. But yes also get it all in writing from your consultant. Do you belong to a union? Tell them too.

zafferana · 25/08/2020 17:21

You've had a lung transplant? Hell no, I wouldn't judge you! Shielding may have ended, but Covid-19 is still out there and you are presumably at risk of very serious complications if you get it, so please listen to your consultant OP. It is absolutely not worth risking your life to go to work.

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SoManyActivities · 25/08/2020 17:29

I'm a bit Hmm at all the 'OMG we're all gonna be dead by November' stuff I'm seeing at the moment (I work in a school too) but you've had a lung transplant and your doctor is advising you not to go into school - you can't go! It doesn't even really matter what your head says, although as others have said, they have a duty of care to you and could get in trouble if something happened to you, so I don't think the head would want you in anyway!

You poor thing though, that's really hard, and I do understand your concerns around work and what people will think etc. But you cannot go into work at the moment, it's just not worth it.

JenniferSantoro · 25/08/2020 17:32

I would never judge you for following your consultant’s advice and nor should anyone else. To go against the advice you’ve been given could cost you your life. Wishing you the very best and healthiest future 💐

CloudPop · 25/08/2020 17:40

@IrisJoy

Consultant has said they are happy to write and say it isn't safe for me to be in a school. Be honest, would you judge me though?
Having had a lung transplant? Absolutely not !
CloudPop · 25/08/2020 17:43

@Estrellente

I would ask if there is any way you can work from home- you could do lesson planning and resources for all the other teachers, or prepare video lessons (at the time or in advance) for any children who inevitably will have to isolate at various points this term. Or perhaps you could develop other resources that will be useful to the whole school? It may be the head can cover your classroom time with HLTAs etc for at least part of it- worth a try, anyway.
Excellent suggestion.
Lifeisabeach09 · 25/08/2020 17:51

I don't get why anyone judge you?! You've had a transplant and will be heeding your consultant's advice and, quite frankly, I agree with him/her. Don't go back.

ApplestheHare · 25/08/2020 17:54

I wouldn't judge you one bit. I hope your new head is supportive.

SheilaHammond · 25/08/2020 17:55

I can't stress enough... don't resign...this is not your problem to solve. You have to be accommodated, I'm sure, with WFH or something. Otherwise they are facing a disability discrimination case.

Duemarch2021 · 25/08/2020 17:58

You've had a serious operation! I am training to be a teacher and i certainly wouldnt be going if i was in your shoes. You're life is more important than a job. Maybe find a new job for now, one that you can work from home with or one that is safer (not around many people) until you're fully healed... maybe try again for a teaching job next year? Xxx

Duemarch2021 · 25/08/2020 17:59

Yep my spelling is awful on the last post.. don't worry I know how to spell lol! Just lazy checking x

Hallloumi · 25/08/2020 18:01

GP here. Anyone who judges you is not worth listening to.
What the the whole shielding thing did was confuse lots of people who have an increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19 (mod asthma, COPD, etc) that they have the same kind of risk as people at extremely high risk (most transplant patients, people with cystic fibrosis for example). No other country did 'shielding' like us as far as I understand. However I imagine most countries got their transplant patients to stay at home (correctly). You are probably as near the top of any risk categorisation while still appearing 'well' as it is possible to be. Of course you and your consultant know that. Wishing you all the best and that you can manage to work remotely.

Arthersleep · 25/08/2020 18:02

You really think that people would judge you? As for taking unpaid leave, if you are entitled to paid leave you should take it.

mrpumblechook · 25/08/2020 18:02

Nobody in their right mind would judge you negatively for not going back at the moment. You need to follow your consultants advice. This is not your fault.

Aridane · 25/08/2020 18:10

Consultant has said they are happy to write and say it isn't safe for me to be in a school.
Be honest, would you judge me though?

Yes - I would judge you - judge you,for returning to school against consultant’s advice

Pud2 · 25/08/2020 18:27

@MySaladDays75

Ask head for referral to occupational health, she should offer this anyway. Unless you are signed off sick (notes from gp each month) you will need to take unpaid leave if you cannot work from home - the school decides this with advice from OH.

If you are signed off sick the school could choose to follow their sickness absence management policy which could result in dismissal but this process could take up to a year.

If you are signed off sick (properly, not just consultant saying it) and dependent on service you will get 6 months on full then 6 months on half pay.

Why have you waited until 25 September to tell your school this? This leaves them no time to arrange cover.

This is good advice. I would be worried about the fact you have no signed contract though. I think it leaves you vulnerable and I would want to get that signed as soon as possible.

What does your union say?

MMN123 · 25/08/2020 18:30

No judgement. You’re a transplant recipient. All bets are off. Take care of yourself and don’t you dare feel bad about it!!!

Ratbum · 25/08/2020 18:36

No judgement whatsoever.

flashbac · 25/08/2020 18:37

@SheilaHammond said

"I can't stress enough... don't resign...this is not your problem to solve. You have to be accommodated, I'm sure, with WFH or something. Otherwise they are facing a disability discrimination case."

No employer HAS to accommodate a disability without question. They must look at making REASONABLE adjustments though. If there are no reasonable adjustments and the employer has been reasonable there's no breach if employment cannot continue.

As to your question OP, I doubt anyone will judge you for not going back however if you keep schtum and don't have a solution-focused approach and open communication with the school that's not fair on your employer, colleagues or the students and will only cause you more hassle in the long run.

Justajot · 25/08/2020 18:41

The school is likely to carry insurance for long term absence, though I don't know what the terms of the insurance would be. I'd let them go down that route rather than resign.

MMN123 · 25/08/2020 18:50

@Justajot

The school is likely to carry insurance for long term absence, though I don't know what the terms of the insurance would be. I'd let them go down that route rather than resign.
Highly likely there is insurance with a public body. Not likely to be permitted. But that isn’t relevant to the op. The local authority will copy!
MMN123 · 25/08/2020 18:51

Sorry cope

MMN123 · 25/08/2020 18:52

But I think secure your contract before discussing with the school. You need to be sensible and protect your interests first and foremost. Sign the contract and then raise it.

babbi · 25/08/2020 18:56

Firstly congratulations on your lung transplant .. I wish you many years of good health.
Please stop feeling bad about not being able to go to work and beating yourself up over this .
Your priority is to look after your health and update your new employer on your situation.
Do not resign... you have no need to do so .
Anyway for all we know schools could shut again , other teachers go sick etc ..
Don’t worry about the money , not your budget , not your problem.

Wombat gives excellent advice ...go with that .

You could offer to do admin etc anything really from home ..
but overall take care of yourself..

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