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Should I go back to work after op? Redundancy & Insurance issues!

16 replies

Twinkie1 · 13/04/2008 20:01

Right am unsure what to do - I had an episitotomy repair 3 weeks ago as well as a TOT fitted ( to cure stress incontinence) apparently the time they say you will be recovered in is 6 weeks - I had on week off of work and have been working from home for the last 2 - I did tell work that I would be returning tomorrow albeit shorter hours - I have a 75 minute journey each way - 45 minutes train and the rest walking - I think I could do it - may be uncomfortable but work is being restructured at the moment and I am thinking if I did stay off the whole 6 weeks would it make redundancy more of a possibility for me or if I am going to be made redundant would they decide without figuring in that I have had this op and am not in the office?

Just spoken to a friend who used to deal with HR issues and she said they would have decided if I was going to be made redundant already but she more worryingly said that if the consultant said 6 weeks and I go in before then I won't be covered on private insurance because surgeon said I should be off for 6 weeks and if anything went wrong would be pushed back on the NHS who mutilated me down there in the first place!

What do I do - I feel uncomfortable and after being examined on Friday and informed that I still have stitches down there I think maybe I shouldn't go in but on the other hand I like my job and don't want to give them an excuse to stick my name at the top of the list!

Sorry long, thanks for reading if you have got this far and thanks for any advice if you give any!

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Twinkie1 · 13/04/2008 21:25

Anyone?

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KatyMac · 13/04/2008 21:29

I really wouldn't go to work if you are signed off - they shouldn't let you back without being allowed back by a doctor

I don't know about the redundancy sorry

moreJellothanJlo · 13/04/2008 21:32

you probably need flowerybeanbag to help out, she's great on employment issues

Twinkie1 · 13/04/2008 21:33

I haven't been signed off though Katy as I can work from home, told doctor it wasn't worth it as work would be understanding - now I am having second thoughts, I shouldn't have said I will go back I suppose - work with lots of men so I doubt they have any idea what I have had done.

I could get consultant to send in a certificate for me though.

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expatinscotland · 13/04/2008 21:33

i think you need to stay at home until a surgeon agrees you are fit for work, because your friend in HR is right.

they may send you home due to insurance concerns.

i think it is VERY unwise to go to work with a commute like that that soon after that operation.

why would you want to risk your health like that?

it's possible that if you aren't fully healed and your surgeon finds out you went back to work he/she would be less inclined to help you if things went awry.

Twinkie1 · 13/04/2008 21:35

I think I knew what the answer would be I just feel ok in myself just tender down there and find waking too far uncomfortable - a few people have said to treat it like I have had a baby and I suppose they are right - just too conscientious I suppose - I think I should be dying to get a day off!

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expatinscotland · 13/04/2008 21:36

it's like having a baby and having had an assisted delivery.

your pelvic floor also needs time to recover.

if you are uncomfortable walking it's a sign that your body hasn't healed enough.

expatinscotland · 13/04/2008 21:36

it's like having a baby and having had an assisted delivery.

your pelvic floor also needs time to recover.

if you are uncomfortable walking it's a sign that your body hasn't healed enough.

Twinkie1 · 13/04/2008 21:39

OK - I won't go back - just got to tell them and I think I will get consultant to send in certificate incase they think I am blagging!

Will also ask them about redundancy although I don't think they are allowed to tell me on the phone.

Thanks guys - I don't have the courage of my conviction with things like this - I always think they are sitting there rolling eyeballs saying 'Oh, she has already been off for 3 weeks!

Maybe I should give them chapter and verse of what has been done?

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KatyMac · 13/04/2008 21:39

I has TVT (is that similar - plastic & velcro?)& I think I was off for about 6 weeks (IIRC)

DO be careful, especially if you go on the tube or bus a jolt could hurt you - I hurt when I put a book on a high shelf even after I was back at work

Twinkie1 · 13/04/2008 21:43

Thanks Katy - that has done it - I will be at home working for the next 3 weeks now regardless of how much it annoys them.

I am not allowed to pick up DS so I suppose I should have thought a bit more about what work entails and not just thought because I don;t feel like dying I should go in - I think like that because I would rather go in sick and save time off for when DCs are sick.

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KatyMac · 13/04/2008 22:05

Is it the same op?

Mine is nearly 5 yrs old & it still works

Twinkie1 · 13/04/2008 22:08

Yes it is - that is fine - am retraining bladder - it is the episiotomy that is giving me grief to be honest!

Do you ever have to have it done again or is it lifelong?

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KatyMac · 13/04/2008 22:12

It's as good as it lasts - they haven't been done long (about 14 yrs) so they don't really know how long they last

I was told the more careful I was with it the longer it could last - but who knows?

I had the macroplastic bladder neck injection (collegen ) but that failed when I had an ectopic - this was done to fix that

Don't trampoline on a big trampoline...ever

flowerybeanbag · 14/04/2008 14:06

Twinkie1 it sounds as though you shouldn't be in work so don't go.

If you are able to work from home and it's just the journey, then you don't need to be signed off sick, and I would advise you don't get signed off sick as such.

Does your employer have occupational health advisers? If so, I would advise you ask to speak to one, and get them to write a recommendation that you are fit for work, but only to work from home. That way you are not 'off sick', you aren't on sick pay or adding to your sickness record but you are getting the recovery time you need.

If you are properly signed off sick, that means don't work and your employer shouldn't let you do so.

If there is no occ health, I would consider asking your GP to write a similar recommendation for your employers.

Regarding the redundancy, they may have decided already who is going, without knowing how far down the process they are, difficult to say. Either way, the criteria they are using for selection for redundancy ought to be made very clear to you. Attendance record can be one of those criteria. However, it would be wrong to say that occasionally if an employer knows exactly who they want to keep and who they want to get rid of, and they wouldn't bear this in mind when designing their criteria grids, iyswim.

If your general performance and attendance is good, you have skills and experience they need, then a period of absence for one defined medical procedure shouldn't hinder you. Your absence record is more likely to be an issue if you are one of those people with a tendency to suffer from 'headaches' or 'tummy upsets' on a Monday morning.

Twinkie1 · 14/04/2008 14:09

Thanks Flowery - sent boss email this morning detailing bit more my problems - as he is male he just feels sick and is happy that I am not there I think - I have to get letter sent to him by GP one of my other bosses said but he is fine that I work from home.

Been told my job is ok because my bosses is but will know more later this week.

Thanks for all your help - just feel guilty being able to wander around the house but not go to work!

Txx

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