After 4 years of no symptoms they’ve returned and my local GP has referred me to a neurologist who sent a letter saying my appointment is in December which is frustrating. Doctor said if I was to get another episode it would most likely be MS as previous MRI showed signs.
work have been great paying full sick pay and doctor is happy to give sick notes in the mean time.
my work has requested I see an occupational therapist, I’m worried my line manager who can be very difficult is doubting my conditions and this is resulting in more stress which is resulting in more discomfort with symptoms.
I have kept all letters from 4 years ago plus my letter for my appointment in december, is this enough for evidence or would I have to release my medical records? I’m wondering if you can be protected under the equality act, I’m hoping to go back to work on Monday as Im having more good days than bad last week. But wonder if it’s best to stay off as work environment and working for a big corporation in sales is a very pressured environment.
do you have any protection under the equality act if you haven’t been officially diagnosed ? having to wait a ridiculously long time which is out of my control, do I continue being signed off for job protection or would you go back? Sorry if I’m rambling and not making sense, my mind is very scrambled and I’m struggling to get my thoughts out.
Hi, your work won’t let you back unless you have a GP confirm it’s ok to go back before the end of your existing sick note. I was in the same situation a while back following minor op - automatically signed off for two weeks, felt fine after one but GP refused to change the note to let me back to work. I don’t think they particularly like to let you back sooner once they’ve signed you off as it makes them sort of liable if you then have an accident at work or something like that. I’m sure a lot would depend on your particular symptoms. Do you def feel well enough to go back? Try not to feel under pressure to do so otherwise - easier said than done I know x
Firstly the appointment you’re waiting for in December with the neurologist. I would go back to the contact number on that letter and hopefully you can be get in contact with the neurologist’s PA. Explain that you would like to be seen sooner, and give a good contact number for them to reach you on and say that you’d like to take an appointment, should they get a short-notice cancellation. That should mean you don’t have to wait till then because you will get offers of sooner appointments. If one is not convenient, just say so, you should get one that suits. That worked very well on several occasions for me and my wife Kym (who had MS).
Secondly don’t be put under pressure by your line manager/boss. You should never be put under work stress to the extent that it leads to a worsening of your symptoms. Start to log any comments or behaviour from your line manager that you think is not reasonable towards you. Your line manager should be supportive not putting you under pressure.
You would have protection under the DDA (Disabilities Discrimination act) if you have shown signs of MS. It is good that work and your GP have been supportive.
Before you agree to see the occupational therapist suggested by work, consider if a work colleague or friend you trust, could accompany you. You have the right to have a colleague/friend with you and its good to have a colleague/friend there who witnesses the conversation and is supportive & on your side.
For background, my wife worked for IRG/Capita and when she became diagnosed with MS and her symptoms began to worsen, the company sought actively to remove her. We had to see medical therapists appointed by them, and I soon saw the hidden agenda of all of that, was to undermine her and start to belittle her abilities and that had only happened once she became disabled. I sought help from the DDA linked staff who were very helpful in explaining what my wife’s rights were and what was reasonable and what was not. It is worth knowing your rights, someone from the Citizens Advice Bureau could also help with that if you need them to. I won’t go into detail of what happened after that at this juncture, but its safe to say, all the rights were on our side!
Finally yes, go back when you feel up to doing so. As you say, sales can be a very pressured environment, so go when you feel up to it. What are the HR people like at your workplace ? It might be worth having a chat with them, they should be sympathetic but again keep your wits about you. Hope that helps !
