Havent been on here for years but again come looking for advice. As a secondary teacher Im at present suffering from fatigue due to excessive work load. If I took time off and then identified this as the reason for my absence how could that be used against me in the work environment. I have taken little to no time off due to illness over the past couple of years. Last year I had a few days off because of a cold but the workload has increased this year, Im having to teach a new course and new subject . I am struggling.
This is awful that you have to think what any repercussions (spelling) might happen, when you desperately need to take some time off…not for pleasure…but for some much needed rest.
Is your employer unsympathetic to your condition? Do they know you have MS? Im assuming you have, but you dont say.
Hopefully they will be and the law states that they have to accommodate your illness and make necessary alterations to help you.
I am not up on employment laws other than what I`ve just said. I daresay there will be others who can give you better advice.
You should not have to worry so much, when your health is suffering.
No one should be penalised for being of sick. Do your employers know that you have problems, as if they do then they should understand. Everyone gets sick at sometime otherwise they are not human. If you need to take time off, take it or you know it will only make you feel worse, so please listen to what your body is telling you to do.
The Act says that treatment of a disabled person amounts to discrimination where:
· an employer treats the disabled person unfavourably;
· this treatment is because of something arising in consequence of the disabled person’s disability; and
· the employer cannot show that this treatment is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim,
unless the employer does not know, and could not reasonably be expected to know, that the person has the disability.
### How does it differ from direct discrimination?
1.2
Direct discrimination occurs when the employer treats someone less favourably because of disability itself (see Chapter 3). By contrast, in discrimination arising from disability, the question is whether the disabled person has been treated unfavourably because of something arising in consequence of their disability.
This encumbers many situations but basically you are not allowed by Law to be discriminated against by your employers owing to your disability.
So therefore they cannot chastise you in any manner by being sick owing to your MS.
If you have any problems and are not in a Union contact the address above who will advise them of the errorof their ways.
I’ve had 25 days off sick in the last 14 months, it really worries me that it will jepadise (sp?) my job.
My boss is really understanding as although I’m not diagnosed with MS, I have been previously diagnosed with ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia. One of the women I share an office with is less understanding and her negativity is really getting me down.
What I would say is I don’t know if teachers have an occupational health unit but I would speak to them about work place adaptations to make your life easier.
I’ve had 25 days off sick in the last 14 months, it really worries me that it will jepadise (sp?) my job.
My boss is really understanding as although I’m not diagnosed with MS, I have been previously diagnosed with ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia. One of the women I share an office with is less understanding and her negativity is really getting me down.
What I would say is I don’t know if teachers have an occupational health unit but I would speak to them about work place adaptations to make your life easier.