Hi I’m new to this site. I have been a diabetic for about 22 years and am going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment Does anyone have any advice about work and diabetes? I am a secondary school teacher and my head has been complaining that I have had time off. Since September last year I have had 9 days off sick and other “absent time”. This other time has been taken seeing consultants at my hospital. (I have had to see the renal guys and the eye guys as I have had complications) My head has now referred me to the occupational health team in my local council. He is questioning wether I am “fit for employment” I find this a real kick in the teeth because I love my job and I do it well. I she allowed to do this? Does anyone have any advice???
Do you have a collective agreement (I’m making an assumption, as it’s common for schools to have unionized staff & faculty). If so, you can check to see what sick leave benefits you have and show your employer. Speak to your shop steward as well. Or perhaps meet with your Human Resources person to explain the medical requirements for taking care of your diabetes (medical appointments, snacks in the workplace, etc.).
Welcome. I’m a teacher, too, and just joined the site a few days ago.
How many sick days do you have in your contract? Can you bring in a note from the hospital docs to document why you’ve been out? I would speak with my union rep or human resources. I’m sorry you are going through this.It’s frustrating…it’s not like you were out shopping. You have a serious medical condition that requires medical attention.
thanks for the advice guys I really appreciate it. I have spoken to my union rep today and she is going to do some research but she says that this could come under the “disability discrimination act”. It just seems really unfair that I am having to go through this. I always show the head my hospital appointments so that he knows where I am going and why and he always authorises my time off but on the other hand he now wants me to go to occupational health and has raised the question as to wether I should be at work I love my job, as I have said, and am concerned that this is going to cause problems.
It really does seem that people are very ignorant as to what a day in the life of a diabetic is like.
Just to top it all off I had to go to the hospital today for IV iron and they couldn’t get a poxy vein. I am now also a human pin cushion!!!
