Work!!
Hi everyone
Iv only been diagnosed 1 year and been in my current job 6months as a district nurse... my bosses have been very nice generally about everything but occasionally slip in comments like...
"I do have concerns about you doing this job"
"I think you should be having a think about your overtime shifts dont you?"
"Maybe you should think about doing something easier"
"You need to realise you have limitations"
These comments are framed in a way that they are in "nice" and "in concern for me" but regardless they leave me feeling really frustrated and angry... I have only had 1 day off sick with Ms stuff since I started! I have occasionally wobbly and weak legs but I still walk, fatigue, and occasional swallowing issues but I dont do anything different to anyone else at work... the comments I have had from management make me feel like I dont want to be honest with them or admit when I'm having a harder day... I feel like I'm starting on the back foot already if these comments are what they think...
Now coz I'm all totally new to this I have no idea what my rights are... how to approach situations like this at work... or how to respond to comments like this... my gut is to snap back at them and be defensive but I havent coz this wouldn't go well and isn't professional... I have no desire to make a scene and definitely dont want to make a drama upsetting management...
I have also been referred to occupational health which is fine... but I dont know what to expect or what I should ask for in terms of making my job work better for me...
What reasonable adjustments do other people have at work?
Has anybody else had comments made like this?
How do you deal with and navigate these situations?
You are in a very strong position as MS is a protected disability. chat with your MS team and OH you should be able to carry on as before diagnosis as long as your line manager is aware. I'm about to move jobs. I've been happy until now but my current employer doesn't pay sick and we work weekends and I'm constantly jumping in to cover others as no provision for me, so I'm going somewhere where they have better resources for any future disability. Make sure you are happy with what's suggested and don't be pushed into anything. Good luck x
When you meet/ talk they will answer the questions you need answered. Occupational Health at my work have been great. They told me it is their job to keep me in a job.