Problems at work

Dragonflye

Well-Known Member
Messages
235
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
we have an objective of more than 1 absence in 26weeks takes you to the next stage, however if you have 1 absence in the first 26 weeks and 1 in the 2nd 26weeks then you go back to the beginning of the current stage. My Doctor and I had a meeting and he then wrote the letter (and it confirms everything that was discussed). The decision was based on a part of 1 answer, the doctor and I are comitted to the objective, she (HR) has disregarded the first part of the sentence and previous comments that this sentence referred to, namely being that this is a reasonable objective that we are going to work towards, but not there at the moment. Not to blow my own trumpte but... I have received 2 payrises in 3 months, the 2nd because I have showed interest in another job and I was asked how much of a payrise I would need to keep me where I am, so i dont think performance is an issue :)
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,320
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
So are these absence specific objectives, based on some sort of rehabilitation plan, following you having your pump?

Do you have occupational health in your organisation, or even better still, do you have a company private medical scheme? It would be good to have some specialist input from "their" side. HR are all very well (sorry any HR people reading this), but to be honest, I think you need specialised people reviewing a specialist issue.

What is your line manager doing to facilitate in all of this? Most managers with any gravitas and clout can significantly influence the outcome of these situations. For a good performer, I would expect a significant amount of discretion. Do you have regular 1:1 meetings with your manager where you could formally or informally bring this up? (Although I imagine you would have already.)
 

Dragonflye

Well-Known Member
Messages
235
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
the objectives are standard for everybody. No occupational health or private medical scheme. As nice as my current manager is, he's "just a middle man" HR say jump and apparently he says how high.
I have brought this up many times over the last 8 years but due to chronic managers nothing has ever been done, ive been lucky to get off the stage procedures by getting pregnant and being off work on mat leave however that is not an option now, which means there is no way to get off and 1 more absence in the next 22 weeks i go onto the next stage (then its 2 absences before they sack me). This is the 1st time ive had a request for info from my specialist
 

simon.davies2

Member
Messages
18
Hi Dragonflye
Get a copy of the human rights act from Diabetes UK . It states diabetes is a hidden disability so employers have to make allowances . Companies hate it because they don't have a leg to stand on . Happened to me with an ex employer , took legal action and they soon backed down .
Good luck and keep us all posted


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Dragonflye

Well-Known Member
Messages
235
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
updates... non... my manager is having issues getting in touch with our hr advisor. ive spoken to the works union im in, however its not something they have come across before :( my manager has had someone with a split objective before without a disability so not sure what their problem is, he said it was up to our HR advisor though. our attendance policy DOES state DDA will not stop them going down sickness procedure routes, however reasonable adjustments must be considered first, ive had no adjustments, reasonable or not :(
 
P

paramedic

Guest
I was left in a lot of trouble when the NHS endocrine consultant tbreatened to expose me to my employer (a i was working for NHS as a bank Paramedic), the Lifeboat, Marine & Coastguard Agency. She felt Medical confidentiality did not apply to me.
Subsequently dropped out of all NHS diabetic care (I lost confidence)
Went to work in London doing 999 but sadly got "caught" & I feated the diabetic team might find out.
After that I had to leave the country and find work elsewhere.
I keep my T1 a secret.
No one knows.
Very few rights or protection for T1 D in my experience; ironically its the NHS who will.persecute you both as employee and patient.

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AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,320
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Unless your HR advisor is the HR Director, I can't imagine the statement, "he said it was up to our HR advisor though" is water tight. At the very least there will be an escalation process if the response isn't what you have hoped for.

I may be well out of hand here, but your manager is coming across as weak to me. If he was willing to support an (extraordinary ?) pay rise for you recently, in order to retain you, why is he not making more fuss about your situation now? Unless he really doesn't understand what you are going through?

If your union has no local experience of your situation, then they can find out, from within their organisation, perhaps? Or even consult legal counsel accordingly, on your behalf?

Otherwise, my gut feel is it's time to take legal advice yourself. You may be fortunate to have legal assistance included in an insurance policy, bank account, or credit card. It's worth looking. Otherwise, a decent solicitor, specialising in employment law, will be £400 - £600 an hour, although many will offer a free initial meeting to discuss a problem. Then the fee clock starts to tick.

It's all a bit rubbish really, but I can't hear any fat persons warming up their vocal cords just yet.
 

Dragonflye

Well-Known Member
Messages
235
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Well its not perfect but... I have 2 objectives now, 1 for hypo's and 1 "normal" onjective... the Diabetes 1 i am only allowed 3 nighttime hypos in 26 weeks so should be interesting :/ AND they have not taken me off my triggers, so basically 1 more non hypo absence and my job is still screwed but heyho :( got a meeting with union rep on tuesday
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,320
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Well its not perfect but... I have 2 objectives now, 1 for hypo's and 1 "normal" onjective... the Diabetes 1 i am only allowed 3 nighttime hypos in 26 weeks so should be interesting :/ AND they have not taken me off my triggers, so basically 1 more non hypo absence and my job is still screwed but heyho :( got a meeting with union rep on tuesday

Did you negotiate and agree the new objective, or was it imposed, without discussion?

Either way, to look on it positively, at least your employer is recognising the need for you to have objectives aligned to your situation. It could now be just a case of negotiating to a position both parties can accept.

I am assuming by "3 nighttime hypos" you mean 3 nighttime hypos, resulting in you being unable to attend work next day? What if you have a severe hypo during the day? Which category of objective does that fall into?

Without going back through the whole thread, when you say, "so basically 1 more non hypo absence and my job is still screwed", was does the screwed part mean? Does this mean you have Occupational Health involved, an independent medical review, or are immediately managed out (Do not pass go. Do not collect £200 styleeeee)? And what term is that over? The same 26 weeks of the first objective, or is that clock already ticking with a date at which it would fall away? What has your non-hypo absence been like in the last couple of years? Do the night time hypos you have had already count towards the "old" objective?

In my experience of managing people at many levels, I have always been in a position to be able to influence these next steps - depending on performance, history, and so on. I have also been able to extend people's sick pay, when extreme circumstances were in play (we wont discuss the impact on budget.........). So, dont under-estimate what your manager may be able to do for you, she he/she be so inclined. Although companies obviously like to stick to their policies - otherwise what's the point in having them - but these things can often be handled sympathetically and discretely.

Do some thinking before you go about what you feel a decent compromise would be. No company is going to completely waive a sickness policy. They have a function to fulfil, and profits to make. Might a decent compromise be to accept both objectives, but to have the absence clock zero-ed, which would effectively wipe out the recent problems? That's only a thought.

Good luck in Tuesday, and let us know how it goes. I was thinking about you the other day, funnily enough.
 

Dragonflye

Well-Known Member
Messages
235
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I wasnt involved in the discussion, I was told that was my new objective. I didnt actually think about if the bad hypo's occured during the day (it has only been recently I have had 2, but ive been able to deal with them without having a siezure)

I'm immediately managed out and in the past year (wont go previous to that because i was on maternity leave :) )ive had 3 non hypo related absences and they are not disgarding my previous hypos from my normal objective, if they did that, i wouldnt have hit the 1st trigger point :)

I'm honestly not sure on the clock ticking bit, im waiting for my official letter to confirm the details, we have been so busy, my manager hasnt had time to write it :) the impression i got was my "normal" objective is going on as normal from last absence and the hypo specific 1 is from last tuesday.

Just waiting for the meeting with the union guy and my manager has said once ive spoken to him, if required I can discuss the decission with the silly HR lady (i get on with most people but theres a few i just cant click with, and unfortunately for her, shes one of them) :)
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,320
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I'd recommend you spend a little time, before Tuesday to consider all the permutations of the "new deal", so that you can discuss the pros and cons with your union person, and ask them if they (the union, not the person) consider these changes to be reasonable under the Equalities Act.

Remember to consider the potential for flexible working. By that I mean start/finish times. Those are specifically mentioned in themAct guidelines for implementation.

But your position is far from as grim as it first appeared a few weeks ago?
 

Dragonflye

Well-Known Member
Messages
235
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
wow what a week... im sure they are trying to get rid of me!!! just been told today they are taking 1 days holiday off my entitlement but thats nowt to do with diabetes... I had my written confirmation today of no more than 3 absences in 52 weeks and not the 26 I was told. Union rep is discussing this with HR now
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,320
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Why are they adjusting your holiday entitlement, and how far into your leave year are you?

They're hardly covering themselves in glory......
Are the 3 absences the diabetes linked absences? How much of an adjustment is that, based on the "normal" basis?

And why has 26 become 52?
 

donnellysdogs

Master
Messages
13,233
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
You were told 26 weeks?? Or did you have that in your contract??

3 instances is fair in 52 weeks.


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