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Feeling a bit let down with lack of communication

13 replies

Jasmin82 · 19/04/2019 05:20

I know that I'm probably being unreasonable, just need a bit of a rant and to get things off my chest as it were,
For as long as I can remember, I've had the symptoms of CFS/ME but was only diagnosed 9 years ago. For the most part, I was on top of things and knew all my triggers and limits and never did anything that would have a negative impact.
At the end of last year, without warning, I had a deterioration, doctors still aren't sure why it happened. As a result, my mobility was affected and I needed a walking stick for getting round. I had to take a few weeks off work while I attempted to get on top of things and see if I could find the trigger. Because my GP and work disagreed about the minor adjustments I needed to be made (work couldn't make them due to health and safety requirements), I wasn't given any sick pay.
I managed to get some semblance of an idea of my new triggers and went back to work as I needed the money at the start of the year. At the end of last month, the same problem hit again and is showing no signs of going away. I was seen by a different GP who wrote a fit note stating that I couldn't work due to needing the stick to get around and balance with. I took the fit note to my manager who said they would let me know if it wasn't accepted.
By the cut off date for pay, I hadn't heard anything from my manager. The day we were due to get our payslips emailed, I didn't get an email, but didn't worry too much as they sometimes arrive the following day. The following day saw no payslip and I contacted Citizen's Advice to find out what my options were if, as I suspected, no pay was forthcoming on payday. I was given contact information for local food banks (all closed until Tuesday because of Easter) and a number for HMRC to be called once I had spoken to my manager.
I contacted work yesterday to speak to my manager only to be told she wasn't in and to call back when she's back in next week. I explained the situation to the manager on duty only to be told "not my problem, nothing I can do."
I'm panicking because I can't go back to work right now, but my phone is about to be cut off is the bill isn't paid and my car insurance cancelled. The car insurance wouldn't be a huge problem except that I need the car to get around and will need to use it to get to the food bank once it's reopened next week as I can't walk long distances without needing to stop and sit down for a while.
I just wish I could have had a bit of communication so that I could have tried to find a way forward rather than being told just before Easter weekend that this is pretty much how it is.
I'm trying to find a job that I could do where needing my stick wouldn't pose an issue, but they all need previous experience in the field, which I don't have.
Just needed to rant, sorry.

OP posts:
Jasmin82 · 19/04/2019 19:04

Continuing my rant:
Phoned work again today to find out that my manager is in today (was lied to yesterday).
No, I wasn't eligible for sick pay because my average wage had been too low.
I was given the number for jobcentre plus, who are closed until Tuesday, and told that I just have to deal with the fact I have no money for my bills or food, but she'll contact payroll and "see if there's anything we can do, and I'll phone you back".
That was 4 hours ago and I know that my manager finishes at 5, so can only guess that I was either being lied to about that she'd phone me back, or that payroll are off until Tuesday.

OP posts:
ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 19/04/2019 19:10

That sounds awful! I would have thought that if your work can't accommodate your need to use a stick they should have to pay you sick pay? I'm an employer and I had to pay full sick pay to a part time worker for up to 6 months, no mention of average earnings, Id look into that. I
I'm afraid I have no idea about claiming your entitlements, but I'm sure someone more savvy will come along to help you. I think your employer has let you down badly here

Jasmin82 · 19/04/2019 22:34

Thank you. I just feel a bit helpless right now because there seems to be nothing I can do until Tuesday.

OP posts:
ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 20/04/2019 11:53

Just wanted to bump this for you OP, as I'm sure there will be people on here who can advise you better. What about CAB? Have you tried them?

Ishoos · 20/04/2019 12:12

Have you tried calling ACAS? They should be able to advise you. Also have a look on here re eligibility for sick pay www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

Hope you get your health issues sorted soon.

Jasmin82 · 20/04/2019 13:39

CAB are the ones who gave me contact details for the local food banks, which unfortunately (and understandably) are closed over Easter.
I also have the number to dispute my eligibility for sick pay as I really don't buy that my average earnings have been under the threshold, but again, can't do anything until Tuesday and it seems they've messed up as I should have been given the SSP1 form within 7 days of my fit note going in rather than them waiting. I'm also unsure that I'll get anything due to being a student in full time education with no dependents.

OP posts:
NitrousOxide · 20/04/2019 14:49

YANBU at all, OP, and I suspect your employer might be in breach of the Equality Act. Not that that helps you right now Sad, but I second calling ACAS when their helpline is next open.

Do you have any friends or family who are in a financial position to lend you some money to tide you over for a bit?

Flowers for you.

Jasmin82 · 20/04/2019 15:41

Thank you. Sadly, my family don't want to know and have been hostile towards me since my diagnosis (say I'm just lazy, despite me continuing to work as my health went downhill). My friends just don't have the money. Now, due to not being able to pay my phone bill, just had my calls restricted and phone company have refused to do anything until I can pay them.
This being off sick malarkey is great fun! Hmm

OP posts:
NitrousOxide · 22/04/2019 14:20

Ugh, I’m so sorry OP. My sister has ME/CFS and she’s been unable to work for a few years. She struggled on until she physically couldn’t do it anymore, and some family members still make out she just didn’t push enough. I’m sure you know the dangers of pushing too hard.

I want to punch them every time.

Jasmin82 · 22/04/2019 17:46

Sorry to hear about your sister.
I emailed my manager on Saturday to say I would be unable to phone either the food bank to find out how I get a referral for a voucher (when I spoke to citizens advice they weren't clear beyond giving me the contact details) or the jobcentre as my mobile had now been cut off and mobile provider needed me to be able to pay something in order to reconnect me.
My boss emailed back today. they are "very sorry to hear of the difficulties you are facing... If there is anything we can do to help, please let me know, or even if you just need a chat."
So, having no food and no money to get food for over a week (waiting on student finance to be paid on Monday) is nothing more than a "difficulty".

OP posts:
NitrousOxide · 22/04/2019 18:57

Well, they could pay you, FFS Angry. Even a loan at this point would be something.

Might be worth asking about an advance to tide you over? At least you’ll know if their offer to help is genuine, and if they say no you’re no worse off. I know that’s all easier said than done though Flowers

Jasmin82 · 23/04/2019 09:21

Yet another email sent yesterday outlining the situation (again) to manager.
Response is that, as they told me, I don't qualify for SSP ue to my average earnings being too low. They have asked about giving me holiday pay, but according to payroll, because I've already informed them I'm off sick, this can't be processed. They're still sorry for the difficult situation I'm in and if there's anything they can do to help, I'm to let them know.
I'm wondering if my boss has been replaced by a robot.

OP posts:
NitrousOxide · 27/04/2019 01:15

That’s so shit. Fucking awful.

How are you doing now, OP?

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