Hi All,
I am adding to my original post.
I am so happy today. After all the help and encouragement on here and help from the MS society solicitor, I have made a successful request for reasonable adjustments.
My company has removed all my points from the Bradford scale and agreed to back pay me from April. They have also agreed to let me work from home for three months pending a review at the end of that period. I have spent the last 2 months trying to get them to help and this has been a combined effort from my GP as well. I am so happy and it is such a relief. Tomorrow I am taking part in a fundraising rowing challenge for a hospice. I dont know how much use I will be but I like the idea of giving and having fun in the process 
Have a happy weekend everyone x
Hi Everyone,
I was diagnosed in May this year ( 2023 ), and have been asking my employers to support me for 6 months. I knew something wasnt right but never thought it would be MS. The shock is affecting me really badly and I am suffering now with terrible aniexty problems. My boss isnt very supportive. I have put in requets verbally and officially and only seems to be considering helping me since I have been diagnosed as I put a complaint in. I have asked for reasonable adjustments. I have had an occupational health assessment as well. Work are not paying me full pay when i am off as they say I have been off too much. They use the Bradford point system to monitor absense and I have so many points its off the chart !! This is causing so much stress as I am a single mum and my income is the only one in my household. I have been given the details of the solicitor by the helpline on here,who helps people with work related iasues and am waiting for a call back. Is anyone else having these kind of issues ? Any help / adcice about this would be very welcome. Thanks
This post makes me very angry because you are being mistreated terribly by your employer. Others here will be equally angry because you are not alone.
There is lots of information on the internet on UK law and your employment rights. You can rest assured that you don’t need to worry.
Anyone with a diagnosis of MS s protected under law (Equality Act 2010). This is breached if they pay you less than another person in the same role. They are legally bound to make reasonable adjustments. Some employers may think that open to interpretation but it is quite clear to equality lawyers!
Your solicitor is best to advise you, but take notes of every meeting you have and be strong because you have the law behind you.
It must be very hard and frightening for you as a single mum. Please let us know how you get on.
Best wishes,
S
Thanks Sheggy
I appreciate your support. It is very scary. I can only go on so long without full pay. I too cant believe how they are behaving.
When i got my diagnosis I needed a few days off as I was in shock. I had to book holiday in order to get full pay …not good !
Yes, you need legal advice to understand your position. These things are complex. Having MS does not automatically exempt a person from such sickness- and attendance management policies as form part of the contract of employment, assuming such policies are legally sound and fairly applied. And while we are entitled to ask for (and be granted) ‘reasonable adjustments’ to help us to deliver our contractual obligations, ‘reasonable’ is the operative word, and is open to interpretation in line with your circs, those of your employer and relevant case law. I hope that you can get some proper legal advice to help you steer through these difficult times. And I hope your employers start being a bit nicer to you.
Thanks Alison.
I am trying really hard to keep the communication going with my employers. I always believe in talking it through is the best way but making sure I know legally where I stand. It is so exhausting though , as I am sure it is for everyone through their individual battles. It is nice having people to chat to on here. It makes me feel like I am not alone 
Hi, Sorry to hear you are having such an awful time at work. It’s more than enough to cope with an MS diagnosis, without this kind of obnoxious behaviour and the financial anxiety on top.
One idea: It might help to keep a bit of a diary of what is going on at work - your requests, their responses, behaviour that reveals their attitude. If it did get to a lawyer, the first thing they would want is evidence to build a strong case. It can be really hard to remember all this stuff when you are so stressed. You want to be able to show that you are the reasonable and constructive one, so keep a list of all the ideas you’ve come up with to help you do your job - with reasonable adjustments. Things like this “Bradford system” are used to avoid managers having to apply their own brains… Do you have a union at work or anything similar? I hope you hear from the helpline solicitor soon.
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Hi Leonora,
Thanks for you reaponse and I will start keeping a diary I think. I have so many emails and I have been asking for help for 6 months as I knew something wasnt right. I have been pretty much ignored unfortunately. There isnt a union at my work so that isnt an option.
Thanks for your support
Suzie