Hi all.
I’m not sure if anyone can help, or offer advice. I currently work for the UK Prison Service. I’ve been off work now for about 5 weeks, recently diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis.
Work are currently being ok, but I know what the prison service is like and that will change very shortly. I wanted to ask with this illness what protection I have, what I need to do to ensure I’m protected. I want to go back to work so what adjustments I should ask for. Such as around fitness test etc. also if I’m not able to pass my fitness test, and not able to do the job what would happen next, as I know the service will want to get rid of me under medical in efficiency.
I’m just very anxious and concerned about what rights and protection I have, and what reasonable adjustments they need to make/I ask for.
Hi Clarky
I’m sorry I don’t know anything about employment law relating to health, but I wondered if the Prison Service has an Occupational Health function / department? I worked for a very large company who used outside consultants for this purpose. I was having issues with excessive travel and my home working environment. They wrote quite a detailed description of my condition and how it affected me and made suggestions to my employers. In all it was a good result for me. The point about OH is that they should be acting on behalf of the employee.
Hi clarky controlling and working with this disease can be challenging. I agree with comment in regard to OH you need to get them involved asap. Psoriatic Arthritis comes under the disability at work act therefore your employers must by law offer adjustment s to your working environment. I cannot recommended highly enough how you need to get the ball rolling with OH, unfortunately in my case my disease has progressed to the the point that I am on long term sick and have applied for medical retirement. Don't disper there is help available you just need to know where to find it and be PREPARED to fight for your legal rights. Best wishes to you
Hi Yummy. Thankyou so much for your comments. I’ve got a call with OH next week. Obviously I need to be asking for adjustments to my job. No idea what those adjustments need to be. Certainly as a prison officer I’m not sure what adjustments should happen. Knowing the prison service like I do they are very uncaring and not remotely bothered about their staff. Sometimes they need reminding that they are an employer like any other. So that’s going to take some battling. But what kind of adjustments should they offer. I figure around fitness testing. Orthopaedic chairs. Time off for appointments etc. Any ideas what else I should be asking.
I hope your get some respite too
Hi clarky they should be more compassionate when dealing with sickness leave, I work\worked in the NHS in a senior role, if you are off sick more than three times a year then you go on report, however my employers doubled this to six episodes in my case which was very good of them. However this is at management's discretion and is not a automatic right. Also are you in a union? Again they may offer some helpful advice
Hi, this is when unions are invaluable, Firstly I would find out what the prison services sickness policy is and engage your union rep. If you don’t belong to a union I would sign up quickly.
I work in the NHS and if I hadn’t had the backing of my union and occupational health dept, I’m not so sure id still be employed. Get yourself informed, find out everything you can about the diversity and equality act, which used to be the Disability at work act. You will be covered under that bit of legislation. Together with the documentation from GP and specialists, my occi health department, unions and myself worked out reasonable adjustments. If we hadn’t done this I think I would no longer be employed. You will need to stress that your condition should improve once the right drug regime has been found and this could take time…good luck
Thankyou Louise and Yummy. Yes I’ll get my union involved also. I have my call next week it’s just an anxious time to ensure I get it right and keep myself protected. Thankyou all for your advice