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Advise please - my boss made me with work with her while she was contagious

Posted , 3 users are following.

Jjj1923
Jjj1923

Please can you spare your thoughts? I have SLE and my boss who I share an office with has chicken pox. She has had them for several days and I expressed concern as my lupus specialist told me that people with Lupus can have a severe reaction if that get them. I told my boss and showed her online where it states I could have a severe reaction to them. She totally ignored me. I went to the Deputy and Headteacher ( I work in a school) and told them that I am worried. The head asked my boss could she work from home and she refused. I was told that today she was going to the doctors and that I could work in a different office - she did not go to the doctors and nor did I have a spare office to use. Also, on top of this my boss has ignored me all day due to going to the head. My boss told me to go home yesterday if its a problem but last year my I had 5 days off work and I was told I could be referred to Occupation Health because my attendance had hit the trigger, even though 3 of the days were due to my child being poorly, not me. I'm sat at home now completely panicking because I feel itchy and have a spot on my stomach, which is probably my imagination, maybe! I would really appreciate anyone's thoughts on this. Thank you x

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • marion64534
    marion64534 Jjj1923

    Posted

    Hi I also have sle, and been in a simular situation,working along side someone with shingles I was told to get on with it as  it wasn't contagious.good luck.

    • Jjj1923
      Jjj1923 marion64534

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. How ignorant are some people towards sle. Although shingles isn't contagious, you can still contract the chicken pox virus from a contagious person with shingles x

  • deidra40034
    deidra40034 Jjj1923

    Posted

    Hello Jjj,

    ?Having Lupus is no joke!!!!!  You ammune system is very compromised, and you are VERY susceptible to getting even a minor cold, let a lone chicken pox and shingles!!!!  I have Sjogrens Syndrom...and am 61, and similar to the Lupus symptoms, I just asked my doctor if I should get the shingle shot, she said absolutley NOT, as I would end up with the shingles due to my immune system!!!  I can't believe your boss and your employer would be so unconcerned about you or the fact you have Lupus, and are so susceptible to such illnesses!!!  Then to throw threats at you on top of it!!!  If you can get something in writing from your doctors, I would, and take it right to your emloyer!!!  If you were to lose your job, they could be brought up on charges!!  You have a disability!!  And that is discrimination!!  They can't just dismiss your situation, or your illness like that!!!  You could very easily end up in the hospital, where the average person would not.  They may not realize just how serious it is, that is why I would get something written from your doctor, explaining it to them!  My Mother has Lupus, and I know how serious it can be, and just how sick she gets!!  I too have to be very careful with being around someone with a common cold!!  I got chicken pox as an adult...and let me tell you, I have never been so sick in all of my life!!!  And it was because of my Sjogrens, that it was so bad!!

    ?I wish you Luck Jjj!!!!  Don't stand for letting them do that to you!!  You are talking about YOUR health!!!  God Bless!!!  XO

    • Jjj1923
      Jjj1923 deidra40034

      Posted

      Hello Deidra, thank you for your reply. I just needed some clarification from somebody else that it was ok to be so upset about this situation. I also too have sjogrens syndrome along with Lupus. I am lucky as my symptoms have been mild for around 4 years but the thought of it flaring up again absolutely terrifies me as I have experienced the not so pleasant side of Lupus. The ironic side of all this is that my boss also has a compromised immune system due to her spleen being removed and if I have the slightest sniffle she orders me to stay away from her! I'm quite disappointed with the Head also, I feel she should of stepped in here. I think you are correct about speaking to my doctor about getting a letter regarding my diagnosis and I will definitely get this done. Thank you x

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