To ask if any NHS HR on here can help

[Perijobwoes]

I am perimenopausal. I get terrible brain fog. HRT helps but I may need to come off it for health reasons.

I am petrified I’ll lose my job if my brain fog returns. Im the main earner. DC still in school.

What’s the process if someone can no longer perform their role? Would I be redeployed? I could manage an admin job but would I maintain my current pay? Or would I have to leave? I have very supportive management but I know I am not doing as well as I used to and if I have to come off HRT and the brain fog comes back I’ll be worse still. No one is at risk BTW - I’m not a Dr or nurse.

I didn’t meant to turn voting on. Not sure how that happened. It’s not really an AIBU so please feel free to vote that IAU for that! I just wanted the most traffic.

Have you got insurance, specifically income protection? If you have, and your menopausal symptoms cause you to be absent for a period of more than 4 weeks you may be able to claim.
The below is from Bupa
"One of the biggest reasons for people claiming on their income protection policies is due to absence from mental health issues. Menopause can cause moderate to severe mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
If you are unable to work for a period of 4 weeks or more then you should be able to claim on your income protection. This will then pay you a tax-free monthly income to pay your mortgage, rent, or other outgoings while you are unable to work.
Your income protection policy may also pay you a lump sum for therapy or treatment to help you to get back to work."

No I don’t. As an NHS employee I didn’t think I’d need it.

Hi OP.
firstly, definitely would recommend protection, NHS or not

unlikely they are going to get rid of you (are you working for a trust? Or office based? Primary care?)

reach out to your HR and get an occupational health assessment to see how they can support you.
it’s important you speak to your HR team and manager and say you’re struggling because of your menopause, we are doing a lot of work around menopause at the moment. (NHS)

Thanks. I think it might be too late for that as it’s a pre-existing condition?

@Perijobwoes ok but you’re disregarding the rest of the response

occy health and help from hr/ manager

My Trust have recently brought in a Menopause policy. I think there is a big push for greater support and understanding.

But let’s face it, even without that it’s impossible to get rid of anyone in the NHS if there isn’t gross misconduct. That’s why there are so many shirkers and incompetents! You will be fine.

I'm not HR but have been in a similar situation in NHS. I understand something legal happened fairly recently I think setting a precedent that menopause may be treated like disability, so they have to make adjustments etc. I believe they can't really put you out for it. They can take you down performance management pathways leading to more likely redeployment than leaving, but they are long and slow and very time consuming for busy managers who may elect to just tolerate temporary under performance instead. My advice would be, if you're not already in a union, join one that is big in NHS now (eg Unison) and they will help advise, support and protect you. If you're already in one, give them a call. Good luck,

Getting rid of you will not be their first option. In fact they will do everything they can to avoid. I would join the union if you're not already a member as they can provide useful support. If things got worse they might look at making adjustments to your job. They may look at secondment on a temporary basis, they may look at redeployment. There's always options in large organisations. I don't know whether your salary would be protected. I would suggest going back to your GP and asking for help in the interim. Hopefully your health will stabilise and it won't be an issue.

Yes, sorry. My manager knows and is very supportive. I’m not sure OH could add more in really. I’m getting the best support but my concern is if I just am not up to the job after coming off HRT and what the NHS response would be.

I did think back to a particularly incompetent admin worker I once worked with and it was so hard to get rid of her, but her managers were taking steps towards that. I just don’t remember what they were.

what can make it better op
you cant carry on surely?
you say you are worried the brain fog will return so perhaps you need plenty of reminders
write things down
notes

A friend of mine at work who is having symptoms of menopause which are affecting her work has been threatened with redeployment. She has more of an issue with the shift pattern she works due to exhaustion and has asked for a change to her working pattern. It hasn't been well received and they've said she may have to work in another department.
She is seeking advice from her union but my main point is that redeployment is possible- if that's what you want but get advice.
We also have a Menopause Policy and work for the NHS.

Thanks. I’m in a Union so that’s good.

I was thinking that redeployment might be the way.

My manager has made loads of space for me already as I had a really tricky few months personally. I’m not sure what adjustments could be made if my brain literally stops working. It was like tumble weed. Nothing going on. HRT got things back up and running and it’s not as bad now but I’m so worried about how I’ll be if I have to come off it.

If you are redeployed to a role that is usually paid less, do you keep your original salary or drop down to that grade?

Please have a look at your trusts menopause policy, It will set out what adjustments can be made

There's a real shift in the way we treat staff suffering badly and OH can help with suggestions for adjustments. You have a supportive manager so that's the first hurdle out of the way

And just to agree with a previous poster, it is incredibly hard to sack anyone from the NHS in normal circumstances, let alone when they have an actual medical problem.

If you feel at any point you are being discriminated against please contact your union rep

they may keep your pay for a certain amount of time
however there may be no redeployment available/suitable

I’ve got plenty of systems etc. my job requires me to do a lot of processing, thinking on the spot. My favourite line is ‘let me give that some thought and I’ll get back to you’.

did any of the systems help with the brain fog though?

Thanks. I don’t want redeploying but that would be better than leaving. I’m the main earner.

NHS HR here, you will more than likely be fine as long as you are seen to be taking steps to help yourself. So it's great that you're being open with your manager, but OH is also a must whether you've already got support or not - it's because it's an avenue of potential support you need to be seen to access.

Most Trusts have now introduced their menopause policies which as above gives you additional rights and protection. There is probably a menopause support group you should join too.

Once you've done all of those, then it really will come down to how you are performing in your role. I'm afraid those saying above that it's impossible to remove someone are wrong, it happens all the time. Ultimately reasonable adjustments are to support you to fulfill your role - but if you are still unable to fulfill your role satisfactorily then they will be able to take steps to manage your performance. It's not like this is going to be a few weeks and that long term impact will be considered.

What band are you? There can be income protection for a move to another role but if you're an 8 going to a 4 for example that won't happen. It has to be seen as reasonable.

In my opinion with the limited details of the performance issues you'd be better engaging with all the support available and trying to put processes in place to support you - for example adapting the way you work to include extensive note taking, adding tasks to your calendar so they cannot be easily forgotten etc.

can you work from home at all?

Well I’m not sure what systems would help my brain to suddenly process when it’s not processing?

would another department be easier?

Thanks. That’s really helpful.

I’ll talk to OH then. That makes sense.

Im band 8. I am doing a decent job at the minute. Some adaptions - I’m able to flex my hours if nothing booked in, and can work from home. I do make lots of notes and set reminders. I can’t work at the rate I used to or at the standard I used to but I used to be really good with very high standards. I comfort myself with knowing my worst is often someone else best. It’s just the worry of not being able to even do that if I come off HRT.

I will need to keep the job as long as I can then if redeploying would involve a significant drop in income.

Not applicable. Very specific skill set but thanks.