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Advice needed please

Posted , 13 users are following.

Shelleyl
Shelleyl

Hi All

i had a total abdominal hysterectomy coming on 5th February, tubes and ovaries removed as well as a four and a half pound fibroid.  Prior to having my operation I had suffered significantly and have been on sick from work since June last year.

my employer has not been supportive at all and a week after my operation my manager came to see me and told me that I needed to shape up and start getting back to normal!!! Today I have been to occupational health which is part of the process when you work for the council.  It was a struggle to travel there as I am still unable to drive still quite sore around my incision.  My husband took me along with my cushions in the car.  I advised the doctor who I saw that although it has been four weeks I still felt very tired was sore and am limited in what I could do without having to sit down from aching and having a smelly belly.  S he basically told me that I should be driving by now even though I am not covered by my insurance to which she told me that my GP could state that I was fit to drive.  She also said that in her opinion having a hysterectomy is just like having a Caesarian and that women who have C sections have to get on with normal life as soon as they are discharged.  She advised that I return to work in a weeks time and basically said that when I discuss the plan with my GP I need to inform him that if he doesn't sighn me off then I will have no job to return to.

i came out feeling very anxious, emotional and felt a total fake as if I was whinging for nothing.  I am also questioning whether I should be up and about driving, going out more and doing more than I am even though I am doing small household tasks but no lifting heavy objects as this is what I have been advised.  I am still taking medication for pain as I need to I have tried to go without but the doctor today even said that I should have weaned off them by now.  Am I normal not to have or am I just being a baby and feeling sorry for myself?

please help

Shelley xx

1 like, 20 replies

20 Replies

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  • Shelleyl
    Shelleyl

    Posted

    Thank you so much for all your supportive replies.  The union did not get back to me today despite a number of messages left for them.  I spoke to my manager today and she advised that she had a discussion with HR today and that she had some good news 😏 the good news was that HR had decided not to attend the meeting this week.  There was an however 😠😠 basically she advised that if I were to submit another paper then there woul be a meeting involving HR and that they would look at terminating my contract.  She advised that in her opinion I would be fit for work and wouldn't want this to happen with the climate the way it is today.  I was upset and angry to say the least but just feel as though I have no choice than to return to work.  I recieved the report from occupational health via email and she advised that In her opinion I would be able to return to work on 23rd March. I will take it to my GP and see what he says and contact the union but in my eyes I will lose my job either way so can't win really.

    thank you all for being so supportive and for the advice that you have given me I really appreciate it.  

    Love and fondest wishes 

    Shelley xxxxx

    • liz2016
      liz2016 Shelleyl

      Posted

      Dear Shelley

      Do not let yourself be bullied by a manager who clearly does not have a clue about appropriate employee support.

      Your GP must give you a new medical certificate if you not fit and ask them to state 'work related stress' on it as well as the surgery recovery.

      Your manager is very foolish to try and force your return as the council are liable if anything were to happen. Insist on a union rep to accompany you to any and all meetings doesn't matter if HR are there or not. The manager is causing the problem NOT you.

      Email senior HR personnel and Director of Service to request urgent review of the 'advice' you have been given so far and copy Occ Health and GP in.

      You should not gave to battle to recover. You HAVE to look after you otherwise you risk complications post surgery.

      Be strong and stand up for YOU.

      If no contact from your local Unison branch by today call National helpline at Unison and they will get hold of someone for you.

      I have surgery scheduled next week and am a Unison rep and I would not have any colleague treated so shamefully.

      Stand up to them and force them to 'justify' their actions. By email. They won't be able ti and to treat you this way is potentially discrimination.

      All the best hon.

      Liz xx

    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl liz2016

      Posted

      Hi Liz

      Thank you so much for your advice. I

      Spoke to the union today and the advice he cave was that effectively the council can terminate my contract due to the fact that I am

      No longer receiving pay (my SSP ran out last month) he said that I have a rough decision to make and did say that he would be willing to attend any appointments I may have with HR and my manager. That wasn't really what I wanted to hear to be honest. I've got an appointment with GP tomorrow and will awww what he says.

      Thank you so much again

      Love

      Shelley xxx

    • Luckymum
      Luckymum Shelleyl

      Posted

      Thats not good news Shelley but I did wondser as you have been off for a while if that was the case, I was hoping it wouldn't be, I was also hoping that common sense would prevail as in just a few more weeks you will be better than you have been in a long time, you just need that couple more weeks sad I hope that you can get this sorted positively xx
    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 Shelleyl

      Posted

      Hi Shelley

      Have you tried The Citizens Advice, they are brilliant and very helpful for all problems, book an appointment with them, because what your employers are doing to you sounds like harrassment to me.  What an awful thing to do to you after major surgery.  frown

      Love

      Jacqui 

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