I don’t know what to do re disability and work

[TarotDeck]

Hi all,

I need some advice - I started work three weeks ago after not working four years due to disability (I have a chronic illness).

it’s contact centre work so not active or anything (which is why I took it) and I really like it but I’ve woken up this morning after a bad night sleep (I knew it was coming really) and I have a pretty bad flare up - I’m struggling to get out of bed and I’m probably going to be late.

I don’t know what to do as I’ve not been there very long and still in probation and I really like it but I feel like absolute death, everything hurts, I get dizzy when I stand and I can feel a migraine coming on.

I just feel so pathetic

If you can get there safely, I would try to go and see if you feel a little better as the day goes on, if not come home. I think its always better to try if you can. As someone with chronic health issues myself, I sometimes find when I go to work yes I am still exhausted, but having stuff to do and people to chat to distracts me from the pain and I feel no worse off than I would had I stayed home. you know yourself best though.

Is working from home an option? I do that on days when I feel unsafe to drive but like I'd be able to get something done, albeit not as productive as days when I'm feeling good.

Are work aware of your disability? Have you been seen by occupational health and have a plan in place with them? If not I'd get that arranged asap.

I do know it feels shitty and that you're letting people down not going in, but I also know from experience that pushing through and trying to work normally when you're unwell can backfire massively and lead you to taking more time off.

Take the day off and state it’s disability related

I think if the government is wanting to encourage those with long term conditions too get back into work, then workplaces are going to need to find a way to be flexible. I have said to my staff that is they have a bad night, I would much prefer them to come in later than not at all . Is your boss approachable? Could you explain your condition and how it affects you and try and make a plan for the flare ups. There are likely many people like you, who do not work because they are worried their sickness record will be too bad. We do need to find a way to let these people have a job and not feel penalised every time they are unwell.
Well done on braving it back to the workplace. It sounds like it has been positive for you. Hope you find a way through this.

Have you explained your condition to your employer?

Mine have been brilliantly supportive and understanding

I have told my employer about my conditions, I was hoping I wouldn’t have one so soon or if I did it wouldn’t be this bad but I guess compared to before I’ve done a lot this month and my body is like “no thank you”. In a way I’m glad it’s on a Friday because hopefully I can recover over the weekend and be back Monday.

We live rurally and I have to drive to work and I really don’t feel safe enough to or I’d absolutely go and suffer through it the best I could.

I could do the admin part from home I think but I’ve only been on the floor this week so need a buddy/mentor with me to make sure they are correct - I might see if it’s something I can do in future as a reasonable adjustment.

Apart from feeling so unwell, I just feel pathetic really like I know this sounds silly but I actually felt some purpose in life again (apart from being a mum I mean) with this job, I was really liking it. It’s something I’m really interested in and was enjoying it but now I feel like I’ve ruined eveything and I’m trying not to because I don’t want to give up completely and just not return in fear of not passing probation but I just feel really crap :(

Could you get a taxi to work?

Also I had a heap of sick leave and still passed promotion. I guess because I worked hard when I wasn't ill and also because my illness was disability related.

I also spent every weekend and evening resting during the probation period. It was a boring life but very much worth it

It’d cost me £70 for a return journey which I don’t have as payday is Monday and unfortunately if the flare up lasted a week a more (which they do sometimes) I’d just be spending my wage getting to work.

Its worth looking into the Access to Work scheme as they can help with taxi costs I believe, not a help for today, but may help in the future?

If you're rural do you have any sort of flexible bus service? Our council acknowledged the lack of public transport and now you can book a mini bus service which can pick up multiple people like a bus but you book it for certain times. Like a taxi but cheaper.

Oh I didn’t know about that, thank you I’ll look into it.

To your other posts honestly I’m always resting, I don’t do too much because of it. The most I do is take the kids to the park or on a day out - I don’t go out with friends or anything and after work and nursery we’re knackered so we end up watching telly and/or playing quietly so I don’t think I’ve overdone it. I can’t actually say what’s triggered this flare up.

Hopefully I still have a chance of passing probation then as it is disability related and I like to think I work hard at work so fingers crossed.

I wasn't trying to get at you, just saying what helped and also that it's annoying for the first chunk to have to put all your energy into work and have none left -i.e. I was sympathising with you

@CassandraWebboh no sorry I didn’t think you were, I didn’t mean to come across that way. I know you were trying to help.