Oh guys, guys, guys. I’m so glad I documented all of the above as I’d forgotten quite a lot of it. It makes for very interesting reading.
Update:
Following my last posting, I came off Gilenya at the beginning of April due to another relapse where I was off sick from the end of March to the end of April. I’ve found that the two DMD’s I’ve been on (Rebif and Gilenya) really helped me with my fatigue (I know they’re not supposed to blah blah blah but it is absolutely true) My fatigue then became absolutely crippling and continues to this day. I returned for three days at the beginning of May (when I was asked by DM and OM to help with the file checking they’d previously shut me out of…pffffft!) and I haven’t worked since.
I saw a top neurologist at Addenbrookes in June and was declined for both Tysabri and Lemtrada as my MS is not highly active. Actually, apart from the fatigue, I’m in pretty good shape. I’ve not had a relapse since I came off Gilenya, my physical at Addenbrookes was “almost normal” and my latest MRI scans show no active lesions. In fact, he said to get this far down the line (fifteen years since first presenting) and be in this good condition is "nothing short of remarkable.
I then decided to wait for Tecfidera. I started on it at the end of December and slowly, very slowly, I am starting to feel differently although my first lot of bloods showed that I’m slightly anaemic which may be adding to the fatigue.
The planned move to my OH’s father’s property fell through due to him imposing some ridiculous conditions which made living there totally untenable. We renewed our tenancy where we are in November.
I have pretty much dealt directly with our HR lady throughout all of this. I have provided her with regular updates and sent in my sick notes promptly. I have done everything by the book. I asked her to visit my home in June last year, to find out how the land lay really, and she was adamant that they wanted me back, doing my job as I’m the best person for it, and they were “nowhere near a settlement position” like they were with the other lady with MS (as I suspected, she did get paid off following them starting a capability disciplinary where they had “overwhelming evidence” of her crapness) I have always made it clear to them that I will return as soon as I am well enough. I’ve been advised by my MS nurse that the drug company have advised to persevere with Tecfidera for at least three months so this is the timescale I’ve given to my HR lady - so hopefully returning at the end of March.
Just to try and explain, when DM was reduced to looking after one team from the four, she actually took over two teams - me & NG and another, broadly doing the same kind of work, so we were combined but work very separately. The other team in the split had a superviser as she was given this title at the same time I created my team - the four teams each had a superviser and I worked on my own in a niche role.
Anyway, lo and behold, what do I get sent by a friend in the office two days ago…? An internal announcement confirming that NG has been made a superviser of my team!!! Pfffft!
As you can imagine, I am absolutely livid and so upset. I’ve had no notification of this change from anyone in authority. I’ve spoken to ACAS to see where I stand. They have advised me to ask about “best practise” in the first instance - is this my job she’s been given? And if they say no, it’s a new role that’s been created (which they will) I need to ask why wasn’t I asked to apply for it? And basically where do I stand and what the hell am I walking back into? They have advised me that, if I do feel they have discriminated against me, I should raise it as a grievance.
So yes, I feel even more discriminated against now especially after re-reading all that I wrote her last year. I’ve definitely been well and truly pushed out and it’s almost like they’ve wanted to get this “nailed down” before I return (and I bet NG pushed for it before she goes off and gets pregnant) Of course I realise I’ve been off sick for a long time but it is for a condition covered by the DDA and I should absolutely not be overlooked or have this used against me. Are they allowed to just do this?
There is no way I am going back to report to NG. NO WAY! I created that team and was the superviser in all but name. I interviewed her, she reported to me and no one has ever told me that that’s changed. I’ve since heard from lots of people that she is absolutely hated in that office - apparently, she’s strutting around like she owns the place, telling people how to do their jobs and is woefully lacking in the area I excel in. I’ve also learned something very interesting about her husband and a little sideline he has that she is actively involved in - it’s illegal by the way.
I’m thinking of asking our HR lady here next week (and make sure my OH is here as well as he’s a lot more rational and tactful than me - he works in PR. LOL! - I’m more bull in a china shop!) to go over all of my issues, try and get some answers and then tell her I want to raise this as a formal grievance if I’m not happy with what she says. I’m pretty sure they are now looking at a settlement position, which I would actually take as I feel it is untenable for me to return to work now, but I want to let them know how angry I am and that I won’t be pushed around.
So, lovely people, any thoughts on where I stand would be gratefully received.