I have been struggling with chronic fatigue, balance and increased muscle spasms over the last 6 months. This has caused me to be signed off from my work as a teacher.
I have been in touch with HR and local council as I do not know what to do for the best. I also do not know what might be available to me such as change of work placement reduction in days or to try for ill-health retirement.
If anyone has been through any of these processes or has been a struggling teacher with MS it would really help me to get a better understanding.
Hello. After twenty-two years teaching, I retired seven years ago through ill health. It was initiated after being referred to occupational health through the head. I was ready for it.
I had to go through the access to work nonsense but it was deemed inadequate to offset my disability. I was working for Kent who can make a mess of anything but it was done after 6 months.
Hello I took ill health about 6 years ago. Presume you are in the teachers pension. They gave me some excellent advice before I left, have a chat with them. Also make sure they pay you for holidays not taken as it was a sticking point for me but they eventually paid up after a protracted argument it was worth about ÂŁ1k extra. Enjoy it.
you have to become pro-active and get all the information you can - Donât assume your employer will find you the best deal and donât be pressurised into resigning as I think teachers can get full pay whilst on extended sick leave. You may find that with some adjustments you can continue working.
Good advice Cracowian Forgot to mention I went long time sick for 6 months before taking package. My College asked me to see College Doctor who said he would sign me off on ill health but pension people said that was a poor option and HR offered me better terms eventually. I know people want to leave on good terms but retirement is for a long time and you need to get as much redundancy package as possible. My College made me sign a confidential letter to stop me telling other people what I left with. Kept my mouth shut because it was a good deal. Do not accept the first offer they will offer you more after a bit of negotiation
I worked for Local Government and was medically retired at 45, the key words you need to know about are âgainful employmentâ Your employer is required by law to have a sickness and absence policy that covers everything, make that your best friend and get to know it intimately. If you get to the stage of being referred for a medical retirement assessment, on that day have every symptom youâve ever had, act the hell out of it, if you donât youâll just be refused I guarantee you. Doesnât do any harm saying you have trouble controlling your bowels or other symptoms it would be difficult for your employer to accommodate. Itâs all a game and you HAVE to play it if you want the desired result, they WILL get rid of you for as cheaply as possible if you donât, we all like to think that when life goes tits up help just happens, it doesnât and itâs up to you to look after number 1.
Hi, I am new to this. I have recently had to reduce my hours at work, to only working in the afternoons due to increasing relapses. However, due to financial commitments, I need to earn some extra income so I was thinking of working from home but not sure what. Does anyone know/can suggest any working from home ideas or advice. Does anyone already work from home that could give me some tips.
I lost my job when I became ill. There was a lot of problems with getting another job as I wasnât diagnosed when it happened so couldnât explain my âsickâ days or the symptoms I had.
It would depend on what you want to do. I have a online business. Other people I know sell crafts at craft fairs etc.
I really donât understand why people are so wrapped up in the work situation. Give up work and concentrate on your own health. Stop worrying about irrelevant topics. Research what is financially available to you and focus on that. You can earn more than enough if your condition is genuine. Ask lots of questions because if you donât ask you donât get. Itâs Corona Virus not Moana Virus.
Many people (I used to be one of them) are caught in the double bind of not being disabled enough to get jack in benefits, but being too disabled to do a half-decent job at work and too knackered to have any sort of life outside work. Itâs not a good place to be, and it isnât a place people choose because they like it.
Hey scudge! Like your mantra, but as Alison saysâŚnot all in a position to get disability benefits sufficient to jack work in. Just saying pal⌠Bouds x
I am not really sure what I want to do. I am very experienced in arts & crafts, knitting & sowing etc. I am also good at baking, so maybe something down that line. x
Hi, You could sell arts and crafts at craft fairs but there isnât many these days. I used to sell Cupcakes online, at craft fairs and to local businesses. You would have to register as self employed with HMRC and get Public and Products Liability insurance. You could go to a craft fairs and see if you want to sell items at one. I used to look on www.stallfinder.co.uk to see where there is one local to me. If you want to sell baked goods you have to be registered with the local councilâs environmental health. You will need insurance as above and you will have to have a food hygiene cert too. The council will have to check your kitchen too. I have a gadget and gift business online at the moment as it fits in with my MS. I do go to craft and gift fairs too when I can. It keeps me from being bored but I donât make a lot of money at the moment. Hope this helps. x
I thought it effected everyone differently? Surely thats going to put quite a few in the middle ground of not being able to maintain full employment but not being disabled enough for maximum financial help. Bringing in a small income from a part time hobby job that you control might cover the amount of financial assistance you wonât get because you can still just about manage around the house!
I still work fulltime but the fatigue is catching up with me, I know it ainât suitable for everyone but I am going to explore the working from home option on occasions
Hi everyone. I have RRMS and my walking and balance is getting worse . I still work but even walking around my office is becoming an effort. my partner has to dress and undress me and carry food for me. I have looked on line to see what assistance i could get if i medically retire and it come up with only PIP which I get already. can anyone give any ideas what i camn do ?