Morning everyone. I need some advice. This year i have been through radiotherapy for my breast, broken 2 bones in me foot and have had several serious UTI's ending in hospitalisation. As a type 1 diabetic this has taken its toll on me as you can imagine. Last week I was dragged into work to see me boss who has now issued me with a formal warning for having a day of sick for each month over the past 5 months. I'm at my witts end. I have never had so many hypos. As a type 1. Does anyone else have problems like this with work? Prior to starting work I disclosed everything about my health, this just seems unfair. If I am off again within the next 4 months they are going to issue me with a disciplinary. Please help!! Pauline ...I have been type 1 for over 30 years xx
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- Thread starter Gemgem
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gail2
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i back this they were able to help me and were brill
Lucyr
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- Type 1
I’ve had a sickness warning, I turned things round and haven’t been off sick in ages since so no further action taken. Why are you getting so many UTIs? Are your bgs high? Why are you needing time off sick with them? Those are probably things you can address to turn things round.
saffron15
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@Gemgem I used to work in the public sector and there were strict rules triggered by how many times a year you are off and separately length of absence. Are you a member of a Union? They will usually know the rules. I can imagine the stress you are feeling having had several bouts of ill health then worrying you may be tripped up by diabetes. Have you thought of trying the helpline for diabetes UK? Have you checked whether the hospital/ diabetic nurse can get you under better control? Does your work or any other organisations offer counselling? You are getting into a vicious circle that the more you worry the more likely you won't be able to work. Do you need or have reasonable accommodations for disability/illness. Although i have a law degree from the dark ages Employment Law wasn't part of it. If union route isn't available you may want to try to pay for legal advice. Good labour lawyers are good tactician.
Please don't panic I'm just suggesting you get yourself in a better position.
Please don't panic I'm just suggesting you get yourself in a better position.
trophywench
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@Gemgem - please please, do ring the DUK Helpline. You know you're not alright but probably also aware that unless you can explain all the c**p to a health care professional and get some help, you aren't going to sort it out.
A counsellor eventually asked me if I'd ever wondered whether my personal standards were too high to expect others to reach ? Well no I damnwell hadn't - I (clearly incorrectly) assumed that 'managers' had received full and proper managerial training in how to deal with that role since I'd only ever previously ever worked for very large companies where everyone including my contacts at allocated clients were 'only employees doing a certain job', with cover available were they off sick or struggling with anything.
I very much regret not making things easier for myself when I could have done - so please don't put that off !!
A counsellor eventually asked me if I'd ever wondered whether my personal standards were too high to expect others to reach ? Well no I damnwell hadn't - I (clearly incorrectly) assumed that 'managers' had received full and proper managerial training in how to deal with that role since I'd only ever previously ever worked for very large companies where everyone including my contacts at allocated clients were 'only employees doing a certain job', with cover available were they off sick or struggling with anything.
I very much regret not making things easier for myself when I could have done - so please don't put that off !!
You don't say whether you work for a large employer or not but is there an occupational health role who could do an assessment? When I returned to work after pancreatic cancer I had a back to work review which included time off for medical appointments but also a written understanding that sickness for diabetes and anything cancer related was separate from other sickness. It also accepted that my sickness days may be higher than normal. Employers have to make reasonable adjustment for your illness as a disability although that's not defined anywhere.
The average sickness days in the UK is just under six (source ONS) so even at one day a month that doesn't seem excessive to me as a manager especially if we've had a conversation about it and what's going on in your life.
As others have said you could try a union in your industry or even the HR manager as they should hopefully be much more aware of the legal protections you have.
The average sickness days in the UK is just under six (source ONS) so even at one day a month that doesn't seem excessive to me as a manager especially if we've had a conversation about it and what's going on in your life.
As others have said you could try a union in your industry or even the HR manager as they should hopefully be much more aware of the legal protections you have.
Hi Gemgem.Sorry to hear you are being put under such pressure regarding any time off.
As Standup says who you work for can have a major bearing on your situation and is important to distinguish any “ local boss” actions and the wider organisation.
Again I am very lucky in that my employer is so supportive so we have 5 days we can self certify for ( not sure if that is a legal national policy) and then as long as we have a sick note they dint question us.
We do have a separate scheme whereby any long term sickness such as I had with my pancreatitis attack ( 3 months) and following diabetes diagnosis (5-6 weeks) would involve an external occupational health firm who will consult with you and agree a planned return to work which may involve part time working at first.
It is very much in the spirit of co operation and not enforcement and what I have found as an employee and a manager many big organisations do not want to get involved in any lengthy or messy disputes where health issues may be the issue.
I think any regular “ time off” for short periods rather than less frequent lengthier times off will of necessity be discussed by your immediate manager particularly if your absence causes pressure on others to fill your role ( mine is quite independent from others) but it is everyone’s best interests to settle the situation amicably and it is important to decide whether your local boss is acting outside the rest of the organisations interest or in any kind of prejudicial way.
Good luck
As Standup says who you work for can have a major bearing on your situation and is important to distinguish any “ local boss” actions and the wider organisation.
Again I am very lucky in that my employer is so supportive so we have 5 days we can self certify for ( not sure if that is a legal national policy) and then as long as we have a sick note they dint question us.
We do have a separate scheme whereby any long term sickness such as I had with my pancreatitis attack ( 3 months) and following diabetes diagnosis (5-6 weeks) would involve an external occupational health firm who will consult with you and agree a planned return to work which may involve part time working at first.
It is very much in the spirit of co operation and not enforcement and what I have found as an employee and a manager many big organisations do not want to get involved in any lengthy or messy disputes where health issues may be the issue.
I think any regular “ time off” for short periods rather than less frequent lengthier times off will of necessity be discussed by your immediate manager particularly if your absence causes pressure on others to fill your role ( mine is quite independent from others) but it is everyone’s best interests to settle the situation amicably and it is important to decide whether your local boss is acting outside the rest of the organisations interest or in any kind of prejudicial way.
Good luck
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Sorry to hear about your periods of illness, and the warning you have received from your employer.
Under the Equality Act, employers and organisations are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support people with diabetes, or any recognised disability, in the workplace.
There’s an overview of your rights and responsibilities at work here:
www.diabetes.org.uk
Hopefully you’ll have a healthier New Year with fewer incidents of illness needing time off
Under the Equality Act, employers and organisations are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support people with diabetes, or any recognised disability, in the workplace.
There’s an overview of your rights and responsibilities at work here:
Work and diabetes
This information is about how to manage diabetes at work and to support you in knowing your rights at work. Jump to:
Hopefully you’ll have a healthier New Year with fewer incidents of illness needing time off
Hello, I don't have any immediate answers. You are contending with a lot. If you would like to chat let me know.
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