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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for reasonable adjustments at work for Crohn's disease?

14 replies

onlyyouu · 15/02/2023 20:32

I've recently been diagnosed with Crohn's disease. It is very up and down and unpredictable at the moment, some days and weeks I'm fine and other times I'm struggling. My flare ups happen suddenly without warning. Mornings are particularly difficult, and my commute into the office takes me 1.5 hours on the train which adds to my anxiety. I worry about having a flare-up whilst I'm at work as at their worst they have made me faint whilst on the toilet due to pain which is embarrassing and I worry about it happening at work and me hitting my head. I feel so vulnerable during a flare-up, it feels like I'm dying even though I know logically that it will pass. I hate the toilets at work as they have no sound proofing, there is not even a hand drier to add an occasional bit of noise. They are awkwardly silent, but because it's a big office they are always busy.

My work has a flexible working policy where we are 'encouraged' to go into the office twice a week, which most people do. I tend to go in once a week which helps because I wake up with a bad stomach I can go in another day later in the week. However, lately work are putting in more and more face-to-face meetings. I've made it in to all of these so far, but tomorrow I'm due in for one and my symptoms have flared up and I don't think I can go in. I'm not ill enough to call in sick, I just need to be at home.

WIBU to ask for reasonable adjustments or do I need to just get on with it and learn to live with it?

OP posts:

007DoubleOSeven · 15/02/2023 20:33

Absolutely do so. The crohns and colitis charity should be able to provide info as well to help support your request

Nacknick · 15/02/2023 20:34

Absolutely yes ask for reasonable adjustments

CatSpeakForDummies · 15/02/2023 20:39

You need to ask, a 1.5hr commute must be unbearable. I'm sure your doctor would agree if you needed support in asking.

You also need to find out about disabled toilet provision as you are eligible to use the disabled toilets and it will take away that extra stress of them being busy and everyone hearing you.

Take care of yourself, it's a horrible illness.

mygoodies · 15/02/2023 20:40

definitely ask for RAs, you are entitled

MissBPotter · 15/02/2023 20:42

I think you should ask for adjustments. My colleague took 8 weeks off work entirely with crowns flare! We can’t work from home though. Hope they are flexible for you,

megletthesecond · 15/02/2023 20:43

Yanbu.
I merely have IBS and that is bad enough at times. I know Crohns is far more serious.

ThomasinVye · 15/02/2023 20:48

Hi, I have Crohns. You need to ask to see occupational health, they will help regarding reasonable adjustments, overtime adjustments change, but with a mew diagnosis often flare ups are horrendous, and frequent. Are you on medication and getting regular consultant appointments? Do you have an IBD nurse you can call at the hospital for advice. Good luck, it gets better x

ThomasinVye · 15/02/2023 20:49

And agree with above, you are entitled to use the disabled toilets if they have any, the lack of if they do not is something to discuss with occupational health

goldennotyetoldie · 15/02/2023 20:52

Crohns counts as a disability.

Yes to reasonable adjustments.

The crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/. Have a really good information leaflet for employers.

I've had it for 30 years and it's a bit shit (pun intended).

FawnFrenchieMum · 15/02/2023 20:53

Absolutely ask for reasonable adjustments. There is a lot of info you can download from the CCUK site if you want some help explaining things.
Both my current and previous roles have been great with my flares. Like you I am able to work from home, so when I’m having a bad day they are good for that
If they are not as understanding as you would like, you can request a fit note from your GP, it can state something along the lines of fit for work but not fit to commute. Hopefully you won’t need to go down that route.

FawnFrenchieMum · 15/02/2023 20:55

Im fairly sure an accessible toilet should be available in office spaces these days. I’ve asked where ever possible for my desk to be situated on a floor with a disabled toilet (ours are every other floor).

chocolateisavegetable · 15/02/2023 20:59

Definitely ask for RAs, including the ability to join meetings by video conference / Teams

wheresmymojo · 15/02/2023 21:02

Absolutely yes.

Don't they have a disabled toilet that you can use for privacy?

That's what my colleague with the same condition does. She also works from home during flare ups and will take time off if it is particularly bad. She also had an RA agreed that time off due to this wouldn't be counted towards the absence disciplinary procedure

Summer2424 · 15/02/2023 21:05

@onlyyouu you are not being unreasonable at all!! You must ask for a Occupational Health Assessment and adjustments can be made officially x

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