Personal life and health problems affecting work

[RubySparks]

I have been dealing with chronic fatigue type issues and thyroid disease for 2-3 years now and this year on top of this have had close family illness for most of the year, ending in bereavement.

I have just had yearly appraisal which was poor and means I will be on an improvement plan. Due to illness I have doubts about succeeding with this, what should I do? I have a referral for further investigations but waiting on an appointment/scan.

Do you any kind of diagnosis? If so, I think you need to start talking in terms of the Equalities Act and reasonable adjustments - if there are any you can think of, like reduced hours.

Definition of disability under Equality Act is probably a good place to start, and there's more info on that gov site.

Maybe present to employer something like:

"Bad news: I've been told by my doctors my chronic health condition is not likely to get better any time soon. It therefore is a disability under the Equality Act.

"Good news: I will be able to continue doing the job I used to do so well for you, you just have to make the following reasonable adjustments.

"More good news: things are expected to pick up a little anyway as family illness now sadly no longer an issue."

BTW I have M.E./C.F.S. myself, so know there are no magic adjustments that will solve all the problems. But obviously reduced hours, reduced standing up and walking, chances for rests, can make a difference.

Thanks for responding. I have hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia has been suggested too, it is just I'm reluctant to accept. I can work from home some days but being honest my concentration is so poor it doesn't help.

Although we had bereavement last year, we are in fact still dealing with dementia issue in the family plus DH has chronic condition that means he works part time, I am actually main earner.

This is getting to the I don't know how much I can take stage.... Just wondering what this means for me in terms of employment!

I will look at that link, thank you.

It's a bugger, isn't it?

Are you as a family getting everything you're entitled to wrt care for the person with dementia, and any other benefits?

If you can buy in help or lighten that load a bit, there will be more of you left for work.

And yes, you HAVE to accept it and budget your energy realistically. It's very like money - if you live in denial, there'll be a bigger price to pay at the end. Easier said than done...

We do have help with carers going in daily but think we are getting to the point that isn't enough, actually have an appointment today with someone to assess.

You are right about energy, sometimes I just have to stop so it is key to learn to stop before getting to that point. The way work is we are all assessed against each other and someone has to be lowest, I can't see a way that won't keep being me.... I just don't have any more to give.

I don't know about fibromyalgia, but I have hypothyroidism and it took several years for it to settle down. If you are still struggling with exhaustion and concentration I wonder if your meds are not right still. Have you seen an endocrinologist rather than just your GP? I found that my GP aimed to get my TSH under 5, whereby I still felt half dead. The endocrinologist advised that my TSH should be as close to 1 as possible. It took a while to get right, but now as long as I remember to take my meds and aim for 8 hrs sleep I can concentrate and do well.

If your hypothyroidism is risking your job, your GP should take it seriously and refer you to an endo.

It would also be worth having Vitamin D levels checked as this is linked to thyroid and causes exhaustion and aching joints.

Does your employer have an occupation health service that can discuss reasonable adjustments as well?

Are you discussing your condition and limitations with your manager regularly?

Are the performance concerns raised at your appraisal things you are struggling with because of your condition or unrelated?

And devil take the hindmost?

In that case the Equalities Act is definitely the thing. You need to step outside that assessment model, if possible. If you can still actually do the job, you just don't do it as fast as other people, then that could be your reasonable adjustment. IIUC, they would certainly have to explain themselves at an Employment Tribunal if failed to make such an adjustment (unless you're a surgeon or something).

I know in the real world they may try to force you out anyway, but what do you have to lose?

[Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer or employment specialist. It would be better to get advice from one or from a union.]

x-posted with actual specialist.

I have had thyroid problem for a couple of years and been up and down on medication so yes feel it has taken a while to stabilise, it is a bit better at the moment, less fatigue.

Vit D was low about a year ago and then better mid year after I made sure to go outside and took some supplements, suspect may be low again now.

There is occ health but I haven't been in touch up to now, do intend discussing with them now.

I have had irregular discussions with manager on health probs, it is a difficult one to convey the impact it has, focus, concentration, memory, motivation are all oohing like they were.

Appraisal meeting was just the result, I have written feedback I need to read and agree to, can't really face that at the moment!

I should say it is analytic type work so when my brain doesn't work it has a big impact. It takes a lot to continually push myself to do the things I need to and it is all just exhausting.

I do have union membership so could try there, not sure what I'm asking? This is a large company and the appraisal process has caused a lot of issues and union involvement previousaly (in other parts of company) but doesn't result in change as there is little we can do but work with it.

I know exactly what you mean, unfortunately.

Other than keeping fingers crossed for the medical interventions to help, it sounds like the only thing you can do is fewer hours - of something. Of work, of caring, of housework. Of whatever you can jettison.

Or sit down and make plans for radical change - eg new type of job.

All very challenging.

As a general rule, if there is anything that is impacting your performance, it's important to make sure your manager knows that, and very important to get that on the appraisal if performance concerns are raised. There's usually a section for your comments.

Specifically, it sounds as though this might be a disability and adjustments required. I would suggest speaking to your own doctor and asking his/her view and asking whether he/she would be happy to write to your employer outlining your condition, how it affects you, what impact it has on work and whether there are any adjustments that would be appropriate. Some GPs are more helpful in this regard than others.

I would also suggest speaking to your manager, saying you understand there are some concerns about your performance and you are keen to address these, however you do feel your long term condition is impacting on your performance at work and would like a referral to Occupational Health to discuss your condition, how it affects work, and what reasonable adjustments are required, so that those reasonable adjustments can be made in conjunction with reviewing your performance.

All that aside, what you do actually want, and do you genuinely feel that with adjustments you could do your job? Do you feel adjustments that would enable you to do your job are possible?

Thanks flowery, that is all very helpful and giving some clarity I couldn't see for myself!

I think less hours is an option, was hoping to wait until end of this year to do that as it will be more financially viable then.

We talked about occ health and I was told it was something I had to ask for? So I have asked for details.

What I want I'm not sure.... If I could be sure of getting health sorted I would be ok to go on, without that I don't feel I am honestly up to the task any more and don't enjoy the environment any more, too competitive and no team work, it used to be fun believe it or not! I should probably leave and work less hours elsewhere but difficult to do when health is rubbish and I know I will take a financial hit if I move. I was going to put 'if I get out' so gets that says what I really think!

Ok, so sounds like you don't want to stay long term. In which case I'd suggest doing the OH thing to help at work, and simultaneously starting to think about what your own personal long term goal is and working on a plan to get you there. You'll feel like you're taking back a bit of control which is enormously valuable.

Your OH report will hopefully clarify exactly what adjustments are needed for you to work, and while that is useful information for your employer and you in the context of your current job, it's also really useful for you personally in terms of deciding on a long term plan.