Formal meeting - conduct and capability

[mumofjust1]

I think I'm going to get the sack.

I have been told by HR that my sickness level is too high and that I should expect my team leader to ask me for a formal meeting to discuss the issue.

Yes, I have had time off sick due to migraines. I have tried all sorts of tablets and am on propranolol daily to try and prevent them. They are so bad that I have to lie down in the dark. I get aura with them and nausea.

What can I do? At my interview I explained that I suffered with migraines, I was totally honest.

I have been there 3 years 10 months :(

I am no expert, but I don't think they can sack you for your sickness absence. You were honest with them at interview over your migraines. If you are taking tablets, are these prescribed by a doctor? Maybe you could get your doctor to write to your employer. Maybe they want to discuss ways in which they can help you....you never know :)

Let us know how you get on....will be thinking of you x

Yes medication was prescribed by the GP. I have suffered since I was 12 and had various medication. The HR lady was questioning me as to why I don't go to the GP each time and why I haven't been referred to a specialist. She came across as quite disbelieving to be honest.

We don't get sick pay and I just can't afford to take time off sick for no reason. I don't like to leave the other members of my team in the lurch either.

I'm really worried that I will be asked to leave :(

You can be dismissed for capability, which includes the ability to attend your job to a reasonable level. However you will need to go through a process of warnings so you won't be dismissed a this first hearing, and they should ask about is there anything they/you can do to imProve your attendance. Just be honest and straight.

I think the fact that you don't get sick pay means that most employees would only take time off sick when they are sick. I agree with hermioneweasley, just be honest over the situation x

I don't know if this is of any help. I suffered terribly from migraines and eventually went to see a neurologist. I was put on epilepsy drugs which I had to take for 6 months. They totally got rid of the migraines. This was over 5 years ago and apart from a couple of very minor migraines when I have been exhausted and over worked, I have never suffered again. May be worth getting referred to a neurologist.
Good luck with your meeting.

How much time have you had off?

Why has your GP not given you a referal to see a specialist?

Thanks for the replies.

Yes we have bradford scoring. Should have said in my op, I have had a chat with my team leader before about this and she monitored me for 3 months. During that time I didn't have any time off - I had just started the propranolol and got headaches which I could deal with, but not migraines.

I'm not sure exactly how many days I have had off, but one this month and one last month. Will work out how many days exactly.

Pudding, that's really helpful, I will mention that to my GP next time I'm there. I have to go back as I can't take NSAID's and am taking solpadol for the pain currently. This isn't enough though and it has started to make me feel really ill. I need something else.

I don't know holey - its never been mentioned. As I said I've always suffered with migraines and have just learned to get on with it I suppose.

I will request a referral next time I see the gp.

I have a disciplinary meeting next week.

I can take someone along, but who? I'm not a member of a union.

You can take any colleague with you

I have no colleague that I can ask.

You can take a friend/husband/partner/relative - anyone basically just for moral support.
I would suggest that on Monday you book an appointment with your GP to discuss referral to a specialist - rather than just mentioning it next time you're at the Doctors - and tell your employers that you have done this at your interview and why.
Also, tell the GP that these migraines are affecting your ability to attend work and you are concerned you may lose your job if they carry on.
This demonstrates to your employers that you are taking these absences from work seriously and are trying everything in your power to address it.
Just a thought:
from your mention of one day off this month and one day off last month - are these migraines associated with your periods?
I had a colleague who was troubled with migraines and she made a note of when they came and how long they lasted etc.
She found that they were associated with her periods and once the neurologist had this information, she was able to advise her appropriately and with the right medication, they dissappeared.
Good luck.

"You can take a friend/husband/partner/relative - anyone basically just for moral support."

I'm afraid that's not quite right. You can certainly ask if they will allow you to bring one of those but your employer is under no obligation to agree.

Why can't you ask a colleague OP?

It sounds like you're not sure how the sick absence process works in your company, so I suggest you go find this out first. Your union rep, if you're a member, should be able to help.

You can get sacked for sick absence, but there will be a whole bunch of other options your team leader can or explore first. You could get an OHS referral, or ask for other measures to support you. You need to know where you stand, and get support.

Thanks for all of your replies.

I can't ask a colleague as it seems from a statement my line manager has given that they have both complained about me

One of them I'm very close to and she denies that she has said anything against me. She doesn't think the other member of my team has either, but I can't ask them.

I was given a document on Friday just as I was leaving which includes the reasons for the disciplinary and the issues that my lone manager has with me.

I was moved from one computer station to another without my knowledge - went in one day and I had been moved. My line manager said it was so that I was nearer to the door due to my panic attacks. This document though says the only reason I was moved was because line manager wanted to keep an eye on my screen. I'm really upset that they lied to me and used my problem as an excuse to hide the fact I was being spied on.

So your disciplinary is not about your absence levels?

You don't have to ask anyone in your immediate team, indeed someone from elsewhere in the company might well be better anyway as they have less personal involvement. Do you not know anyone else in the company you could ask?

What are you doing to address the panic attacks?

Since your health issues are affecting your work, you should prioritise seeing your GP and getting specialist advice.

Given that it has already come to a head, I would also start looking for a new job.

I have seen my GP numerous times. Wrt the migraines I have tried different medications and am now on a daily medication to stop the migraines rather than just treat them when they come on.

Wrt the panic and anxiety I have seen the Gp, am on medication and am currently having CBT.

Issues have been raised in the documents I was given that have not been brought up with me before, they simply no longer want a part time worker, but a full time one.

I'm sorry, but it seems that there is more to this than you have said..

You have time off for migraines? How many days per month on average? And how many days do you work per week?

You also have panic attacks? How often, sand does this affect your ability to do your job?

Are you being disciplined for these? Or something else?

In all honesty, are you able to perform your job at the moment? What happens when you are not there?

You say they want someone full time - is this in the disciplinary (it shouldn't be) or is that just conjecture on your part?

What complaints have you colleagues made about you?

We need to know more in order to advise.