Long Covid and work

[MysteryofNils]

I realise now that I have been sick since the end of 2022 - it's only now that I've formally been diagnosed with Long Covid which is essentially CFS/ME.

I am learning how to pace and I have good days and bad days but I can now only manage 1 or maybe 2 days in the office per week and no more.

Unfortunately before I was diagnosed I had applied for a new job (better pay, bigger company, brilliant job for my CV) and accepted it. It was literally the day after I signed the new offer that I was diagnosed luckily before I had handed my resignation in.

I told new job I had a sudden diagnosis of a chronic illness and had to withdraw - I didn't tell them what it was as our industry is small and I didn't want it spread around (I hadn't accepted it at this point as I had thought, till now, that I would recover from whatever it was). They decided that whatever it was, I would find a treatment and come back to them in a few months time.

Those months have gone past and I just got a call from them today. The problem is that my current job is still very tough, very long hours and lower pay than I should have BUT they are totally fine with me working from home as much as I need. They know I have long covid and are being as accommodating as they can be.

New job is more money but I can't tell what the working conditions will be like. I want to go back and say I just can't do it but my partner and my friends think I am mad to turn down an opportunity like this.

Problem with long covid/me/CFS is that every day is a battle and every day is a struggle and I just feel that something new is another struggle I don't need but I do also recognise that current job is a struggle in itself.

Any wise counsel? I think it's hard for people who know me as they are thinking of the person I used to be (who would jump at this opportunity) rather than where I find myself now.

Could you ask to speak to the new job's HR/ OH team in confidence about your diagnosis and see what adjustments they could offer you before making any decisions?

I have fibromyalgia and with my diagnosis I have work place adjustments to allow me to do my job. It falls under the Equality act. I've also agreed to an OH referal too.

Thanks both - I have a call booked with new place tomorrow. I am going to be honest about my current situation. It's just so difficult as I cannot guarantee anything. Can't guarantee I won't get worse either.

That's a good idea @Waterboatlass I will ask about it.

@Groovee sorry to hear you have one of these illnesses too. They suck!

Hopefully they should make a fair effort, obviously I don't know the role or industry but my good friend has this (I had long COVID too but I'd say it eased off eventually so do very much sympathise) and its a protected condition, she WFH full time quite flexibly in terms of hours and has had some other adjustments like a good desk and chair at home and dictation software etc. if the job is worth it, I'd give it a try. Especially if it pays more, perhaps you could drop a day?

Who told you they were the same? I've had both and they were both different to me. Not saying you're wrong just genuinely curious.

Thanks @Waterboatlass will let you know what they say today. I'm not someone who gets very nervous but the whole thing sets me on edge because I can't really tell if I'm going to get worse or better!

@magnoliablooms I'm being treated by a specialist. Got long covid after my 3rd bout of covid - all bouts of covid were very mild, I just never got better after the 3rd time. This triggered a reactivation of another viral illness i had and eventually after suffering like this on and off for a year, I became bedridden and was diagnosed with ME/CFS.

Thank you that's really interesting thank you very much for getting back to me. I wish you the best of luck in your recovery and healing.

How are you getting on @magnoliablooms ? Are you still unwell or have you recovered?

had the meeting today @Waterboatlass

I was very honest, I just don't want anyone having any illusions about what I can and can't do at the moment

they basically said that they are going to start looking for someone else to do the role because I can't guarantee how I will progress health wise (which I can't). They only want to fill the role in a few months time so they want me to speak to them again in a few months but I know deep down I'm not going to recover the way they are thinking I will recover. This is as good as I have been since I got this and it's been painfully slow progress to get this far :(. My only hope is they don't find anyone they like as much as me and still give me a chance and I don't get worse in the interim.

This illness is a nightmare!

In any new job you will likely be on probation and have fewer employment rights than you have now. Assuming you've been in your current job a couple of years.