sickness

callywally

I suffer from migraines. This is genuine and I have been to my gp and refered to hospital due to this. I now take daily medication for this and I have improved now only get a bad one every 3 or 4 months.
This has ment that I have had to take quite a few odd days off work as when I have a bad migraine I cant see properly and also have vomiting.
work seems to take the view that because I have had several odd days off due to this I am lying.
As any one who suffers fom migraines will tell you its not possible to work through a bad attack.
Im not sure of my rights as I cant go to te drs every time I get one so it is effecting my attendance record.
Does anyone know what I should do? Try to go to work and work through it? As I have to drive to work this would be unsafe.
Any suggestions please

dmg24

There is not a lot that you can do, other than be honest with your employer about your condition.

How many absences have you had? Have you checked your employer's sickness absence policy?

callywally

In th last year I have had abot 10 days off sick this was mostly for migraine but also includes 4 days for a stomach bug. I am not sure of the sickness policy. Have to fill in a form after each sickness

dmg24

You need to check your company policy. In many companies 3+ absences (periods of absence as opposed to days off) will prompt an absence management review/ disciplinary action.

callywally

Ok thanks, does not seem fair to be disaplined for a genuine illness with medical records.
Will check.

Vader123

callywally wrote: »

Ok thanks, does not seem fair to be disaplined for a genuine illness with medical records.
Will check.

Whether the illness is genuine or not is not the issue.

From the employers point of view, they have employed you and pay you to do a job.

You can't do that job if you are not there.

Absence means someone else has to do it.

Don't take it personally.

Vader

callywally

I understand why they are questioning my sickness, but what are my rights in this matter?
There are people at work who have months off at a time with stress etc.
I have a few days off with a genuine problem for which I have medical records for and am taking steps to improve the problem, but am questioned and made to fell like i am lying.
Have I any rights in this situation.

Emmzi

depends. get them to send you to occupational health who will advise if you are are covered by disability discrimination?

but you need to flex too - have you offered to make up any of the hours?

if you haven't, as an employer, bluntly, I'd be looking to dismiss as soon as I could. Someone with regular days on the sick it a nuisance, however fab they are when they are there, and annoy other team members.

sorry to be so blunt but I think you need to ask "how can I mitigate the nuisance to my employer"

I have a chronic condition and I flex my hours, and if I am having a bad day I can work at home, so everything still gets done. Sounds like your condition doesnt make that possible so what are your other choices?

Emmzi

callywally wrote: »

I understand why they are questioning my sickness, but what are my rights in this matter?
There are people at work who have months off at a time with stress etc.
I have a few days off with a genuine problem for which I have medical records for and am taking steps to improve the problem, but am questioned and made to fell like i am lying.
Have I any rights in this situation.

PS there's an implication here you don't believe stress is real.

Not nice.

Zazen999

callywally wrote: »

I understand why they are questioning my sickness, but what are my rights in this matter?
There are people at work who have months off at a time with stress etc.
I have a few days off with a genuine problem for which I have medical records for and am taking steps to improve the problem, but am questioned and made to fell like i am lying.
Have I any rights in this situation.

Why is your problem more genuine than anyone else's if they are signed off?

callywally

I did not say my problem was any more genuine than other peoples with stress ec. what I saidwas I have a few days off, they have months off yet I am questioned about it.
I have been in this job for many years andthe migraines are possibly stress related so I dint mean that stress is not real.
Only asked for advice. Not a very friendly lot are you.