Oh bless you Whiff and Fourormore, up early and saw your message.?.
Sadly not a lot further forward. Constructive dismissal not really viable,which didnt surprise me but wanted to check.
I dont know if I mentioned before but since June my gp signed me off from work with work related anxiety and stress due to Covid. It was very genuine, knowing what had happened in the building, the fact they had lied about a staff member having Covid in March. The last managers approach to individual risk assessment was come back when you feel it's safe,you cant socially distance,do as I say and you will be ok. My trust in my employer is zero. They sent a risk assessment which gave me a low risk rating,on one used by NHS I was borderline shielding. It did say it could be discussed in supervision. I've had a 10 minute supervision in 2 years when CQC were due. They dont do supervision! Anyway in June I was having frequent nightmares about being back at work and initially it was ok but then realised none of the residents I knew were there and I realised I wasnt safe then I would wake up.
I'm still trying to come to terms with the deaths of the six of the residents I was closest to,including my 1.1. I feel guilty because I wasnt there for them. Anyway GP aware of all this but always been a bit odd about situation. It's something other diabetics have experienced. The risk is well documented. The virus is now thought to be more to do with the immune system than respiratory. In March diabetics thought we would be shielded, it was on gov.uk that along with others who get flu jab we would be asked to isolate. Of course we weren't. They are simply to many of us. We are no more at risk of catching virus just severe consequences if we do.
Since lockdown the government has reduced guidelines for those shielded and high risk and dont change them much when things get worse. Diabetes UK petitioned the government about risks faced by working diabetics in particular. The government fully acknowledged the risks but admitted they had no plans to change anything. There are so many high risk frontline workers if everyone was isolated it would cause real problems.
My GP has admitted there is no box to tick for diabetics. She acknowledges the risk then cheerily states she has lots of patients in same position.!
I was quite surprised when she signed me off until mid September. Maybe she thought things would be better then. Well obviously it hasn't worked out that way.! My employers dont think it's a good idea for me to be at work and they suggested I contact my GP again. I did, it wasnt my usual one. I had completed very honestly the NHS mood assessment and the results said I should share with GP. Which I did. They are fully aware of the background at work and fact unions involved. This GP again rather brightly admitted had lots of patients in same position but said needed to consult with my GP. She would call the next day.
Instead I received a text saying she had consulted with the practice manager and they dont issue sick certificates in relation to work related anxiety due to Covid.
I was stunned to get such info by text. Firstly it gave no opportunity to challenge. Anxiety is still anxiety regardless of source the feelings and effects are the same. When I'm not concerned about work and the risks I would face I'm fine with how I deal with the risk elsewhere. I spent one 12 hour shift in an environment where I knew I was at risk. The strain is awful. I know I would have challenged her as to how she would feel. GPs make pretty darn sure they minimise the risk in their work environment. How would she feel if that was stripped away to bare minimum? I have a feeling it may be a conversation they have had a few times,hence the text.
After speaking to union rep emailed employers to inform not officially signed off. To be fair even they were taken aback. Oh,I forgot the last piece of advice on the text. I was to refer back to my employer and their HR department re workplace being Covid safe. You couldn't make it up really. GP is well aware employer is cause of problems for failing to do that!
So employer is happy for me not to be at work and will do a risk assessment when it will cause me less anxiety. Even they acknowledge the stress caused by rising infections and unpredictable testing. Of course they dont mind me being there,they are not paying me!
Apparently the best outcome is to be dismissed on health grounds as far as Universal Credit is concerned. If you resign you may be sanctioned for 3 months. Quite how you get your employer to do this I dont know so I'm awaiting further advice from Union.
It does appear they are seeing numerous similar cases,including people who were officially shielded and employers refused to furlough them so they had to live off SSP rather than reduced wages. Union rep did mention my employers with regard to this.
So once again I'm left hanging. It's a game to get the best outcome. I could I suppose carry on in this No Mans Land. Universal Credit pay a small amount each month which ekes out my small amount of savings. Of course it's a situation that feels a bit precarious. My employers could turn very unpleasant, I dont think they will with union involved though. If I resign and am sanctioned it's better to do it now whilst have some savings left rather than face 12 weeks with nothing.!
It's a game and exhausting. I think I just want peace of mind. I'm luckier than most. I own my house so I dont have to worry about that. A small amount of savings mean at least I have a choice. So many diabetics are facing so much worse,especially teaching assistants. The lack of safety in workplaces is shocking. One chap applied for a printmaking job in somewhere he had worked before. When he got there there was no social distancing or masks etc. Someone who had previously worked there who type 1 was no longer there. He was shown to a room where he waited for half an hour. Eventually the manager came in and said this wasnt a suitable environment for him and paid him for his time!
So,I'm mainly concerned with diabetics. Early in year we felt things would improve, we would be protected. Hundreds of carers and front line workers died. Nothing has changed. Although it doesnt completely shock me its scary to be in an unprecedented situation where the old rules dont apply and unless you have finances to protect you its survival of the fittest. No support from GPs, Union do their best. Employers can do what they want if they are unscrupulous. Yes you can report non covid safe workplace to H&S but their employees decimated by austerity. Of course the only way you can prove a workplace is unsafe in first place is to be in it. I KNOW that whatever the Managing Director promises the reality will be completely different!
Oops sorry for all this. Not very diet related! Thankyou for your kind thoughts ??
