Hi everyone
I am looking for some advise on returning to work. I was diagnosed December 21 with NSCLC my treatment plan consisted of 4 cycles of chemotherapy and immunotherapy combined and then immunotherapy every 3 weeks for the next to years. I completed the 4 cycles of chemotherapy and immunotherapy at the end of April and now I’m having immunotherapy every 3 weeks. I took a leave of absence to cover the chemotherapy and immunotherapy combined as I had been warned by my oncologist it would be aggressive treatment. The immunotherapy cycles on their own are much easier to deal with so I thought I would try returning to wok and see how it goes? For the last 7 weeks I have been using annual leave accrued over the last 2 years due to covid. My employer said it had to be used or I would loose it.
I work for local government (please don’t judge me for that) so you would think they would know what they should be doing to assist a return to work, this however is not the case. The only contact I’ve had with them apart from 2 emails was initiated by me they have done nothing to stay in regular contact with. I have asked for meetings to discuss a return to work they have never been arranged, then out of the blue a couple of weeks back a email was sent to me stated I need a fit for work note from my doctor and I would need to see the employers occupational health doc and only if their doc said I was fit for work would I be allowed to return. I spoke with my specialist nurse and oncologist and my go regarding this email and it’s content. They are not happy, my doctor has said they will decide if I am fit for work, the occupational health team should be there to support and advise on reasonable adjustments to be made to aid my return.
I am getting the impression from my manager they don’t want, I made it clear from the very beginning that I would be the person to inform people of my illness and if they wanted to speak to anyone regarding me my consent must be sort, I have discover that others have been spoken to about my diagnosis without my consent, when I raised this matter with them I was goal that as it is now a matter of record for the employer they can speak to who they like confidentiality doesn’t apply. It would also seem the equality act doesn’t apply either, from reading some of the notes that have been made (notes I’ve not seen) and sent to they don’t want to discuss making reasonable adjustments never mind doing them.
any thoughts or advise would be welcome, bit of a rant and a saga I know but I can’t focus if I don’t get it off my chest.
I’ve put up with bad management and bullying for the last 5 years I’m not putting up with being pushed out of a job just because the don’t want to accommodate me.
hugs Donna
What gives your manager the right to even say that? He's a trained healthcare professional as well, is he? Please phone ACAS, you will find them so helpful, and believe me it will be great to have them stand up for what is your right. I get so angry by these employers. My husband actually lost his job, because I have cancer. They said that he would have to take too much time off to look after me, which is absolute rubbish. It was a new position that he had taken on, and they said he should have mentioned me in his interview. He said he had never had to talk about his wife in any interview before, so why should he now. Because he was on a 3 months' probation, they were able to get rid of him, but it is disgusting how these companies can treat people. It's ok for them, until it happens to them, as we know no one expects to get cancer do they.
Believe me it is your employer who will lose this, not you. You have all the employment laws on your side. You show them what for!!
xx
