DawnS Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Hello everyone, I hope you are all well? I don't often post anymore, but I made an important discovery today and I feel the need to share! I've been back to work for over three years now. My initial return was very challenging and unsupported which resulted in a change of role within the business. Today, I had an appointment with EADS. It was a very interesting meeting, and I'd like to share what I learned for anyone who is currently considering a return to work. My bleed was in August 2011 and I went back to work 53 weeks later. I wasn't actually ready, but the reason for my return was that they had started proceedings to dismiss me for capability. I was only entitled to contributions based benefits which were about to end and so in a bit of a panic, I argued their decision. I began a phased return, but no reasonable adjustments were made in spite of recommendations from the occupational health team. In the meeting today with EADS, I found out that work should not have begun these proceedings so early on. Reasonable adjustments MUST be made under the equalities act and when I moved departments, my phased return should have continued. Instead, and because of a lack of knowledge and understanding on my part, I jumped from 20 hours to 40 over the space of a weekend. Reasonable adjustments were not made until 13 months later when I ended up in hospital and had 3 months off sick as I was so unwell. If you are considering a return to work, please, please make yourself known to EADS. You self-refer and they have drop-in sessions at the job centre. It is a service that you are entitled to receive. They liaise with employers on your behalf. Everything is out in the open, the employer is made aware of your circumstances, deficits and strengths. Reasonable adjustments are discussed and confirmed before employment starts and EADS stay involved for a while after you have started. I just wanted to share this, because had I known about EADS when I first went back to work, I'm sure my return would have been far less bumpy and exhausting. A return to work can be very valuable so please get all the support that you can. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharlua Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Thank you for sharing I am now back to work but I know it will be so helpful to many, so sad you were treated so badly by your employer. Regards Sharon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemma B-B Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Hello Dawn, That is very useful to know - thank you for sharing. Did you get in touch with them via your local job centre? Gemma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 That is such useful info Dawn thanks for sharing... wished I'd know something like that way-back-when, my work made me redundant 3/4 months after the SAH... Hope you're doing well... take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnS Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hi Gemma, yes I just popped into the job centre. In our town, the sessions are on a Thursday after 14:00, though I imagine this would vary x 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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