Hi all just looking for a bit of virtual support really. I have recently been feeling ill, throat infection, general cold/feeling rubbish but have been trying my hardest to keep going - employer is a big company and there doesn't appear to be any support from my seniors, in fact quite the opposite in that I feel very under pressure not to take any time off. I ended up going home early a couple of times (the first sick leave I have taken this year) and my line manager has mentioned this, and not in a concerned way! I work full time, and mostly feel fine but occasionally I feel like I 'hit the wall' and am just exhausted. Does anyone else feel like this sometimes?? I just feel like I need a rest. I am on Glivec (diagnosed in 2005), currently on the Destiny trial (2 months in) so on 200mg daily. I guess I am asking for some feedback re: how everyone else copes with 'life' when the going gets a bit tough/you feel a bit under the weather. Do you just get on with it?? Any thoughts welcome!! thanks all.
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Hi,
Sorry to hear you're feeling a bit rubbish and that your boss is an apparently heartless git. I'm fortunate in that my boss is really supportive. I usually go above and beyond, so any time off isn't a big problem. He knows about my CML (I told him after ~4 months) and doesn't seem phased by it. I do have bad days and find myself running on auto-pilot - I always try and push through the day and ensure i eat and rest well in the evenings. If i think i'm burning out, i'll book a long weekend and relax as much as possible. This all seems to have worked so far, and that's because my boss is a human being.
Now to your situation. Does your employer know about your CML? Are you aware it is a protected disability under the equality act? If you have declared your condition, your employer should be very wary indeed about adverse reaction to reasonable time taken off in relation to CML. The act covers a variety scenarios relating to reasonable adjustments in the work place. Any discussions you have with your employer about CML and any time off you require should probably be documented by your boss and shared with HR. I am not for one second suggesting you 'lawyer up' but it may well be your line manager is blissfully unaware of the company's obligations in dealing with a protected condition. If it is declared and time taken off is recorded against CML, any disciplinary action would be highly tenuous and leave the employer exposed to litigation, especially if you're an otherwise stellar employee.
I am no expert on this legislation, but am becoming more familiar with it due to an ongoing issue with a staff member. I am having to do everything by the book and tread very carefully indeed. I'm not suggesting for a second that your approach becomes 'trade union', but it may be worth ensuring any sickness (if you need a day or two to re-charge) is recorded as being as a consequence of your protected condition. Naturally, good communication with your boss would be the best route, but I suspect HR would reel him/her in if they deviate from the 'legal script'.
If it's any consolation I feel knackered most of the time and closer to 55 than late thirties. Only another 25 years to retirement....
Chris
My partner is an expert in this area. If you want I can get her to do you a detailed response about your employment rights and legislation.
Quite simply though and to answer your questions. When I was diagnosed it was 20 years ago. I was already gravely ill at the point I was diagnosed. In those days treatment was severely limited and I was not expected to last around for long. I was 42 and employed.
My employer knew from the get go because I was actually taken home very unwell one day and admitted directly to hospital. Once it was appreciated that it was "Leukaemia" my manager was absolutely supportive. 6 months in though and I was still hanging around and actually out of hospital and feeling better and had a notion I'd like to go in to help them out but doing a job and hours that suited my health. I was on interferon which was debillitating and I also had problems with my immune system and blood clotting so didn't want to do anything silly to put myself at risk.
My senior manager had just moved back to Holland at that stage and a young manager was holding the fort as an interim. He was a total prick!
Suffice it to say that my partner immediately wrote to the Human Resources Director in the tone and manner that made them step up and be totally supportive. Suffice it to say that the HRD properly and quickly intervened and took over the case directly. I had my sick pay extended. The idiot young manager quickly moved on. The company did everything absolutely spot on right after that timely reminder. In my case I never returned to work though and I ultimately got ill health early retirement when I was just 46.
I now have my own business. I turned my competitive sporting passion and hobby into my business and I now have an equestrian business