Hi, just wanted to know what kind of reaction people got from their employers when newly diagnosed? I have had to take a bit of time off on a couple of occasions preceding diagnosis and feeling so rough now I am off again. Only diagnosed on 6th July and still trying to stabilise things! My boss doesn't seem very sympathetic, maybe because I am Type 2 and he thinks this is easier, I don't know. I certainly get the impression that I am an inconvenience despite reassuring him that I want to get back to work asap. Opinions and experiences would be most welcome. I work in the UK by the way, thanks x
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Employment
- Thread starter Jenfy
- Start Date
donnellysdogs
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- Type 1
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- People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
I never had any problems, but I was diagnosed type1 26 years ago and things have changed in the workplace since. I went to work on the Monday and admitted in to hospital on the Tuesday and out on the Friday and back to work on the Monday. Never had a day off sick due to diabetes. I was always aware though that I may need to in the future, and that caused me to prove myself (I was in Management for the largest grocery superstores at the time). I hadn't ever had a day off sick prior to the hospital admission either, so I suppose that stood me in good stead too.
Things are very different nowadays with the pressures of any workplace....I certainly couldn't manage superstores and distribution centres anymore, as everything is about budgets and cost....every single workplace has huge pressures nowadays, and perhaps the management above you may be feeling lots of pressure....no reason to be making anybody feel like an inconvenience though....it maybe becuase your boss does not appreciate any person with any illness....he may have somebody in family that has some type of diabetes-who has always managed ok-or he may not know anything about the disease at all....
There may be a lot more employment protection nowadays for the Employees but there are also huge pressures put on all staff from top down to bottom...
Things are very different nowadays with the pressures of any workplace....I certainly couldn't manage superstores and distribution centres anymore, as everything is about budgets and cost....every single workplace has huge pressures nowadays, and perhaps the management above you may be feeling lots of pressure....no reason to be making anybody feel like an inconvenience though....it maybe becuase your boss does not appreciate any person with any illness....he may have somebody in family that has some type of diabetes-who has always managed ok-or he may not know anything about the disease at all....
There may be a lot more employment protection nowadays for the Employees but there are also huge pressures put on all staff from top down to bottom...
bowell
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If your off sick you should have a note from your GP
The new Not FIT for work note?
If you have this well your employers hands are tied and your in clear water
When ready to return to work your GP can ask for adjustments to help you return to work
See:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Sicknessabsence/DG_187161
Also:
http://www.yourworkhealth.com
Diabetes UK Advocacy pack link below :
Download and read lots of helpful info for you
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Advocacy/Employment_Advocacy_Pack_2010.pdf
Once your on your feet ,, You will be back at work as normal .
I had a few Augments over time off for all the hospital appointments
To Ans that Yes you can have unpaid leave for appointments related to diabetes
The new Not FIT for work note?
If you have this well your employers hands are tied and your in clear water
When ready to return to work your GP can ask for adjustments to help you return to work
See:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Sicknessabsence/DG_187161
Also:
http://www.yourworkhealth.com
Diabetes UK Advocacy pack link below :
Download and read lots of helpful info for you
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Advocacy/Employment_Advocacy_Pack_2010.pdf
Once your on your feet ,, You will be back at work as normal .
I had a few Augments over time off for all the hospital appointments
To Ans that Yes you can have unpaid leave for appointments related to diabetes
Hi,
great links from bowell!
When i was diagnosed i was only 5 months into my contract, i wasn't entitled to full sick pay until 6 months at least, i was terrified i'd be off sick for ages and not get a penny!!
Luckily with a T1 diagnosis, with insulin you start to feel better immediately, i was admitted to hospital monday evening, released thursday night and back to work the following monday!
my work generously still gave me full pay even though i wasn't entitled and even asked if i wanted to work reduced hours for a while.
I was advised to get back to work ASAP to get into a normal everyday routine, i'm sure if i felt the need for more time off my doc would have given me a sick note.
Doctors can also advise a staggered start back to work e.g half days until you return to full time.
I also came back to work armed with leaflets for my co-workers, boss and first aider. This helped them realise the the risks associated with diabetes and what to do, but most importantly helped them understand the illness better. i find people react better to solid info like a leaflet rather than a vocal explanation.
Type 2 or not, it's a big change and for some people returning to work asap hinders rather than helps. It helped me to get back to normality after my world crashed down really. Just because its type 2 doesnt mean it's any less serious.
I've known people contact HR on ehalth related matters when management seem to be uncaring and unhelpful, maybe worth contacting them if possible.
Don't get it in your head that you are an inconvenience, because it's not, you have been diagnosed with an illness that requires a little time to adjust to and some empathy from your boss wouldn't go a miss!!
All the best
great links from bowell!
When i was diagnosed i was only 5 months into my contract, i wasn't entitled to full sick pay until 6 months at least, i was terrified i'd be off sick for ages and not get a penny!!
Luckily with a T1 diagnosis, with insulin you start to feel better immediately, i was admitted to hospital monday evening, released thursday night and back to work the following monday!
my work generously still gave me full pay even though i wasn't entitled and even asked if i wanted to work reduced hours for a while.
I was advised to get back to work ASAP to get into a normal everyday routine, i'm sure if i felt the need for more time off my doc would have given me a sick note.
Doctors can also advise a staggered start back to work e.g half days until you return to full time.
I also came back to work armed with leaflets for my co-workers, boss and first aider. This helped them realise the the risks associated with diabetes and what to do, but most importantly helped them understand the illness better. i find people react better to solid info like a leaflet rather than a vocal explanation.
Type 2 or not, it's a big change and for some people returning to work asap hinders rather than helps. It helped me to get back to normality after my world crashed down really. Just because its type 2 doesnt mean it's any less serious.
I've known people contact HR on ehalth related matters when management seem to be uncaring and unhelpful, maybe worth contacting them if possible.
Don't get it in your head that you are an inconvenience, because it's not, you have been diagnosed with an illness that requires a little time to adjust to and some empathy from your boss wouldn't go a miss!!
All the best
Thanks to all who replied, very helpful and supportive. I had a look at all the links and feel reassured. Also feeling very much better physically and seem (fingers crossed!) to have stabilised! I now feel more able to recognise what's going on in my body and emotionally stronger too. Much of this is due to people's advice and support on this site. Thank you all so much x
