Occupational Health and Disability Related Sick Leave

[Aryaneedle]

Sorry, not really an AIBU as posting for traffic and quick response.

I have a new job in NHS, just going through pre-employment checks. Occ Health are ringing me in next hour. I am currently a social worker so local authority, had 10 days allocated yearly as disability related sick, as I have endometriosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Last year I took 6 days, 3 instances. My LA don't use Bradford Factor but my new job they do (used to work for them before). Any idea what questions they will ask me? Bit nervous.

For background info: I am under consultants for both conditions and a urologist as I have endo in my bladder as well as my pelvis. RA doesn't cause me any issues but pain, flooding and clots with the endo do.

Would this put you off employing me?

Of course not! They'll just be wanting to know what reasonable adjustments you'll need and to check that you're capable of carrying out the job.

Don't worry too much - it'll be fine!

I don't need any adjustments, just access to somewhere to change my clothes when I have a tsunami period

I think I am nervy because of the current climate. It feels utterly bizarre to be changing jobs in a pandemic.

I wish you luck but a word of warning that the NHS do not care for employees with long term conditions. Obviously if you have a disability they may be more accommodating.

I worked in the NHS for over 25 years and after an injury I was on long term sick leave. After about six months they started managing me out and after 11 months I was dismissed despite being on an NHS waiting list for surgery that might have fixed me (it didn’t).

Sorry I can’t help you but be cautious. Best wishes.

If you were allowed 10 days last year, and didn't use them all, I think it's worth making sure they know that. Firstly, you'd like them to give you the 10 day allowance, not just 6 days because of last year - which might have been an easier year than usual. Secondly, if they are aware that you didn't use all the days, they will hopefully trust you not to exploit any allowances they make you.

@MatildaTheCat

It is only a 2 year research contract so I can't imagine I will be there for a while but I had a similar experience when I worked there before - I was doing a research job then and had issues with recurrent UTI's (worked in ante natal and maternity clinics so always in my feet) but was expected to (& did) just get on with it.