Feel like NHS are trying to manage me out….

[Theworsttiming]

Anyone else been in this position?

I am 50+ been working in the nhs for 28 years, an AHP Band 7.

Have had no problems at all until this year where I have had some ongoing health problems, possibly age/hormone related, and have taken some time off sick for the first time in years.

I have returned but not yet firing on all cylinders due to unresolved health problems.

I feel that I am being nitpicked and micromanaged but not in a positive way, more in a condescending way. I am being given impossible tasks with incorrect resources.

They need to make cuts and I feel vulnerable, uncomfortable and unwelcome. It is not helping my recovery. I need the money, can’t afford to leave, but feel I’m being pushed out unfairly, mainly because I am expensive to employ because of my experience.

Anyone else been in this position?

Go and have a chat with your union rep, and also occupational health. Did Occy health give you a plan for your return? The trust can't get rid of you because you've been ill but they might try and disguise it as performance issues. That's where your union need to be aware and help to guide you. Document everything, and be clear if you think unreasonable demands are being made.

Occupational health weren’t that helpful because I have still not been diagnosed with a condition so am a bit in the dark. I have been proactive with trying to get it sorted through the gp but it’s lengthy when waiting for specialists.

Union is a good idea.

Are you documenting and raising that you are being given tasks that are not feasible due to lack of resource ?

If not - document each time and keep a copy yourself.

I have verbally raised it to team lead, manager over them, occupational health and a colleague at same level.

It is like being met with a brick wall.

They offer alternatives which are not feasible or are counter productive to my health, and aren’t listening. If I had a diagnosed condition I could expect reasonable adjustments, but seems to not apply here.

The adjustments I am requesting are what many of my peers are already doing, but they say there is no equipment free for me to use the same as theirs.

You need to use email, not just verbally raise issue. Then you have a copy automatically and an evidence trail.

Are occupational health saying the adjustments they are offering are not suitable?

What adjustments are you requesting?

I recently had to deal with someone who wanted to work from home but the job required them to be in directly supervising lower grades so it wasn't possible.

A quiet/cool room or area. I am struggling to tolerate excessive noise and heat.

They said environmental concerns should be discussed with management- hence going round in circles

To play devils advocate a bit, maybe have some agency. Wear one of the fans you put around your neck and flare ear buds which cancel extraneous noise. Be positive about the changes your making to help yourself and hopefully they might be more sympathetic in future.

Fair point, I am taking headphones to wear to do admin, but unable to wear them clinically. Will look at options.

Lighting and screen size also not suitable, can’t actually read the screen as too small. Others have agreed with me but no alternative available apparently

@Theworsttiming apologies if I've missed this, but is there a menopause policy that may be useful to refer to?

Not sure actually

pausitivity have a website which I've found useful. And if there's a clip of the founder talking about her experience it may be of interest.

I don't think you are being paranoid I was a staff nurse for many years and left about ten years ago I have seen this happen to do many people ,it's like they move the goal.posts of what they want from you with out, telling you
the NHS,can be a toxic workplace ime.