Does anyone know where I can get some advice. I am 47 and have had CML for 3 years and have been told it is one of the diseases covered under the Disability Discrimination Act. The company I am working for is going through a restructure and I am not sure where I stand - if I was to lose my job it is unlikely I would find another (nearly 50 and would fail medical)I would lose sickness benefit as well as life cover. Does the DDA protect me in any way?
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Disability Discrimination Act
Matthew
Sorry to hear of your concern. Maybe it won't come to you losing your job.
You can find some general advice on the government web site about the DDA in employment by clicking here:
Direct.Gov
There is probably a distinction to be drawn between a proper redundancy and one that is driven by the fact you have CML, but I am no expert on this.
What is for sure is that if the worst happens and you have to look for a new job, the DDA should help to prevent you being discriminated against in that search just because you have CML.
I would suggest that if you receive notification that you are to be made redundant, you should not reply or respond until you have taken some advice from a lawyer (or perhaps a trade union lawyer if you are a member of a union).
I hope that helps.
David
Hi Matthew.
David is right take legal advice.
I went through exactly the same in June 2006. You might have legal protection cover under one of your insurances. This might be under home contents for example.
Unfortunately this is a very difficult point to take action against. I took advice from a barrister who said it was a chance of less than 15% to win. I did have a an industrial tribunal hearing arranged for January this year arranged through ACAS. It was set for a 3 day hearing but I would have to take the lead myself as the barristers time was to expensive.
Sadly my father died just at that time so i decided not to take any further action. It is a very difficult point to prove and really you need credible witnesses to help you prove your point.
Good luck.
Steven