Immunosupressants vs job requiring Public Transport

Lum

In need of some advice here. I take Methotrexate for severe chronic eczema and thus I tend to avoid public transport since every time I take a bus or a plane (not tried trains) I end up catching something or other and feeling like crap for a week.

I'm also a carer for an adult with several disabilities, she gets DLA at the higher rate for both care and mobility, so it's important that I avoid getting sick.

The problem I have is my employer is proposing moving my job to the middle of Cardiff, to a site with no parking (at least not that I could afford daily) and is saying "It's right by the train station so you don't need parking".

I really can't afford to be getting sick all the time as I get crammed into a rush hour train with steamed up windows every day. Is there any documentation or legislation I can use to hit them over the head with, ideally something that doesn't mention cancer or leukaemia since I don't have those conditions.

Itismehonest

You have my sympathy as a member of my family suffers in the same way & is also undergoing similar treatment. However, I think you just have to do the best you can
Whilst, where possible, staying clear of potential infection you walk a thin line when personal choice means you are relatively "healthy" but are in theory almost making yourself unavailable for work.
Many people with low or suppressed immune systems are concerned by the same scenarios but they have no alternative but to go where their work takes them including on public transport.
Sorry I can't be more positive for you.

Lum

The issue is that currently I am fine. I have a commute which is 15 minutes motorway and work in a small office so I don't really have any issues except for one guy who always comes in sick because he uses his sick days for hangovers, and I usually just avoid him.

I used to travel a lot for work, and would get sick every time I took a plane (domestic flights). I no-longer do any travelling both to avoid this and also because of my caring responsibilities.

I'm being forced to move to this new location, well technically I'm under consultation still, and I know that this move, this change that my employer is introducing, is going to make me get sick all the time. Surely there's something that can be done about that?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Lum wrote: »

In need of some advice here. I take Methotrexate for severe chronic eczema and thus I tend to avoid public transport since every time I take a bus or a plane (not tried trains) I end up catching something or other and feeling like crap for a week.

I'm also a carer for an adult with several disabilities, she gets DLA at the higher rate for both care and mobility, so it's important that I avoid getting sick.

The problem I have is my employer is proposing moving my job to the middle of Cardiff, to a site with no parking (at least not that I could afford daily) and is saying "It's right by the train station so you don't need parking".

I really can't afford to be getting sick all the time as I get crammed into a rush hour train with steamed up windows every day. Is there any documentation or legislation I can use to hit them over the head with, ideally something that doesn't mention cancer or leukaemia since I don't have those conditions.

- you have a job, your employer is relocating to improve the business, and you keep your job
- and you want to "use legislation to hit them over the head with"
- why, why legislation ?
- and what do you expect / wish your employer to do ?
- what do you expect / wish legislation could do ?

kurgon

You can ask them to look at making a 'reasonable adjustment' as in looking for somewhere for you to park. They may be able to assist with parking charges or something similar.

krisskross

My husband has methotrexate injections as well as Infliximab infusions for RA.

He has no choice but to use public transport and it has never really been an issue. He has been on planes, boats etc with air conditioning.

I think yes avoid anyone with obvious signs of infection like sneezing, coughing etc but other than that do not let it dictate your life.

shOppahOlic_2

my mom is on a cocktail of tablets which include immunosupressants, prednisilone, cellcept, rituximab infusions, to name a few, she is just as careful as she can be, but it doesnt stop her if she needs to go out/commute. She is just careful around children especially the chicken pox virus !
always uses hand sanitizer.
xxx

Lum

^^^ don't get me started on hand sanitizer. I bring my own tub of Dermol 500 into work and cannot use the alcohol based ones as at best they hurt like hell and at worst start another round of skin peeling on my hands. And yes I avoid children too, though this is mainly because we used to have a person here who would bring their child into work every time he was sent home from school for being too unwell.

Richie: The reason I'm looking for official advice and/or legislation is due to a lack of understanding and because I genuinely believe that they wont do anything more than the bare minimum legally required.

krisskross: I'm just going from past experience here. My previous job had me on the road all week, mostly driving which was fine but occasionally flying, e.g. to Belfast, and I'd end up becoming unwell every time I took a plane. I did eventually solve this by taking the ferry instead which was fine as I wasn't crowded in with people.

kurgon: This is the kind of thing I was looking for, but I'm not sure if I count as disabled for the purposes of making this request. I guess I'd need to highlight the caring angle in any such request.

I'm not opposed to public transport in principle. It would basically mean an extra half hour of sleep every day which would be wonderful as another of the methotrexate side effects is being tired all the time.

Fridayschild

I take methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis and work in an FE college with thousands of people passing through the doors every day. I have never had any issues with infections etc, but am sensible and have my flu jab etc as well as eating and drinking sensibly to make sure I am as fit as I can be.
My work place has an equality and diversity policy which basically means that they go out of their way to make sure that you can stay in work. They very kindly provided me with a access to disabled parking for the days when I am achy and stiff. I am not disabled and most of the time I look and move like anyone else, and have always worked.
It might be worth asking your employer about their equality and diversity policy. I must admit I always thought that sort of thing always applied to somebody else, but was pleasantly surprised. They may have to provide you with somewhere (employment law) to park, and it is worth looking into further.
Best of luck.
PS I didnt even need to provide evidence of my condition although I offered to do so.

Lum

It seems to be one of those medications that affects everyone differently. For me the side effects are susceptibility infections, constant tiredness, memory loss and reduction in hearing, though I'm not sure that last one is due to the methotrexate as my hearing wasn't ideal to begin with.

Problem is the consequences of not taking it are worse. I guess I'll just bring it up at the next consultation meeting and see what happens.

FWIW, my experience with the diversity policy so far is that it exists on paper only, though they are mostly fine with me arriving late and needing emergency time off due to my being a carer.

kurgon

Lum - can you ay that you have substantial and long term effects from your excema? If so you are covered.