[Rehabilitation / Postoperative Spine Surgery Publications] Looks like I may lose my job - advice please

[Tuliptoday]

Hello all, Feeling a little fed up, had my surgery 15th of July, did all the PT and still doing my exercises and taking the meds, visited Occupational Health for a second time who said no way could I go back to work yet because of the pain, can't sit down long etc etc, went straight from there to accupucture and fainted and then on to see my surgeon who took one look at me and admitted me the next day for an epidural. Pain subsided for about three weeks but is back again. I have Oc Health app later this month. Work want me to go back 5 mornings a week for four weeks and then back to full time. Oc Health and physio and doc all think 2 to three mornings and build up from there. So what do I do? Massage the truth somewhat and go back for 5 and just pray I am ok and that the MRI the surgeon is now planning shows nothing untoward. Insist on the graduated start - time is running out rather as I am on half pay now and once I get to no pay work would be justified in letting me go as unable to work due to ill health. I am 52 and unlikely to get another job especially in the current economic climate. But one of the questions my work has asked Oc Health is will I require further time off due my back problem which seems a little silly as no-0ne can really answer that and if L3 and S1 are aggrevated by my fusion then I will need something done about that. Does anyone know if I am legally obliged to tell work what medication I am on, as they seem a bit iffy about me taking morphine.
This is a real ramble I hope someone can make some sense of it! Basically I want to go back to work but am going to have to lie to get there. Moral dilemma aarggg

[laid up doc]

depends on what kind of job you have - i would suggest having a least a brief discussion w/ an employment lawyer or someone in HR

[Tuliptoday]

Hi Doc,
Well I work as a secondary school attendance officer and general dogsbody, typing filing, reports masses of fiqure work for various heads of department, organisation of various events during the school year, I am the person who is invariabley called upon when they don't know how to do it or whose job it is, Most of my conversations start with the phrase" when you've got a minute could you just....." these jobs normally take several hours.
Taking my union rep with me to my next meeting with the head and head of personell of County.
Thanks for taking the time to reply - much appreciated

[Kimberly]

Tuliptoday,

I'm so sorry to hear that in addition to your spine problems, you now have work issues to face. Doesn't seem fair, does it?
Although I don't really have any good advice, I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you, sending you positive thoughts and hoping for a good outcome.

Take care,
Kimberly

[Pbchoclovr]

Tuliptoday,

Like you, I work in a school. I'm sorry to hear that you're having such a hard time with work. I don't think you are obligated to tell them what meds you are on. You might want to let the nurse know only in case you have some kind of reaction to the meds at work, so they'll know how to respond. I haven't officially told my boss what meds I take, even though they know I'm on three different ones and they're some of the good ones. My school nurse also checks up on me during the day to make sure I'm not overdoing it and complying with doctor's orders.

Some of the things I'm wondering... Have you used up all your accumulated leave? Does your system have a sick leave bank that you're part of? If not, have you thought about FMLA? What kinds of protections do you have through your union that protects your job? In my system, if you're out on leave for any reason for 50 days or more, they can legally replace you. This doesn't mean the person loses their job, but it means they more than likely won't be able to return to the same position in the system. Of course, if the principal likes the person, they don't invoke the 50 day rule. Does your system have any policies/procedures similar to the 50 day rule of my school system?

My surgery was 6-29 and I returned to work at the end of August on a part time basis, missing the first few weeks of school. My surgeon offered me a whole semester of half days, but I didn't want to use up all my leave, so I started with 2 weeks. From my personal experience, it was hard those first few days. I would have liked to have waited a little longer before I returned to work. I hobbled around fully medicated and couldn't wait to go home. By the end of the two weeks, I had adjusted and felt ok with being there half day, not great, but ok. I then went to full days and have been on full days ever since. When I made the switch, again it was hard. At first my physical therapist wanted me to consider going back to half days cause my back was a mess. But after a few days, it settled down enough to be tolerable. Each week, it's gotten a little easier. After two months, I'm just now starting to have days where I feel almost normal. I've hobbled through each day with my ice pack and TENS machine, some days barely able to move. I've had more than one person mention they could tell my pain levels based on my facial expression, and they were right. Everyone is now used to my "fanny pack" (ice pack) and "pager" (TENS machine). I can't say it's been easy, but I think getting up and going to work, for me, has helped to move things along. It's also caused some episodes of increased pain from being up too much, but that was only at first. When that happens, I take a day off to relax and let things calm down. Those episodes have gotten fewer and fewer. So much that my PT and I are hoping that I'm finished with them. Honestly, I think I have a few more before I'm completely done.

I don't know what the answer for you is in regards to returning to work. For me, it was a necessity, since my income is my only source of support. I really didn't have much of a choice. It was really just a matter of when, not if. Your best bet at this point is to contact your union and see what they can do to support you and to find out what your leave policies are in regards to long term leave, before you speak with anyone in a position of authority. It's best to be forearmed with knowledge of policies. That way they're less likely to ignore your rights in lieu of their need for someone in the position.

I wish you the best as your work through this issue.

Linda

PS One other thing, when you do return to work, make sure you have a conversation with your supervisor about what you can and can't do. This will help them have realistic expectations about your mobility. Make sure they understand you're still in a fair amount of pain. I had this very conversation with my supervisor and it's helped tremendously with my situation. They've cut me slack they probably wouldn't have, if they hadn't known.

[Tuliptoday]

Thanks to Kimberley and Linda for your replies. I guess because I'm in the UK its a bit different over here. If Occupaational Health say no work then you can't go as the School has a legal duty of care to its employees. Me and my GP are working on a plan to get me back a couple of weeks pre Christmas so I have the Christmas Hols to rest up again. Still what will be will be.

thanks

Tulip

[ajj1001]

Hi, sorry didn't realise you were in the uk or I would have piped up sooner. Under DDA they are obliged to make reasonable adjustments to account for your condition. Have you been assessed by Access to Work?

[laid up doc]

i lost my full-time job officially last fall and just worked part time this spring and summer... need a new FT job soon to get new health benefits, as my COBRA runs out this spring (US lingo for being able to continue your previous employer's insurance for full cost - but just for 18 mo unless you're disabled, which i'm not now!).

be glad you have a light duty job - i'm out til i can lift/twist/function at a high level physically. mentally i'm good to go, not on any serious meds. i do have the benefit though, that i have a great paying job, am single, don't own a house (can move anywhere), and can dig out of my financial hole... eventually.

good luck. i'm american so i don't know anything about the UK disability/employment system.

[Pbchoclovr]

Tulip,

Sorry didn't realize you were in the UK. Things are very different, but not as much as you'd think. Here instead of an Occupational Health calling the shots, it's the surgeon. If the surgeon/doctor says you can't return to work in the school, then you sit at home waiting for him to release you. For insurance purposes, they won't let you in the door. That's part of why I missed the first few weeks, not that I was complaining. My appointment got pushed back due to an emergency surgery and I had to wait a little longer, all to my benefit.

I really hope you're able to come up with a date that works for both you and your employer. I think it's a great idea to have it be shortly before your holiday. It'll give you a chance to see how you do with the knowledge that you have a break soon after returning to work. I do something similar. I purposely plan doctor appointments at such a time that I'm forced to take a whole day off. This gives me a break here and there to slow it down and let things relax for a day.

Good luck!

Linda

[Tuliptoday]

Hi, sorry didn't realise you were in the uk or I would have piped up sooner. Under DDA they are obliged to make reasonable adjustments to account for your condition. Have you been assessed by Access to Work?

When my back first went (prolapsed disc) Access to Work came in and gave me super chair - for which I was specially measured etc. They made my head teacher move things around abit and this would have to happen again as my files are all too heavy and all my filling drawers are either too high or too low. I couldn't possibly walk home from school anymore so I am currently trying to fill in a form for the Disabbility Living Allowance ( I need the mobility bit to pay for Taxis but it is a very tricky form to fill in. Do you know if I would get incapacity benefit if I am deemed unable to work, would I need to be registered disabled -if so how does this happen. I am covered by DDA as I have had this condition for about 7 years now. My main concern is if I go back 5 days a(My head teacher has specified continuity as a very important part of my work) week albeit half days as requested I may have to take time off again because of the pain. At the moment its the pain thing thats the problem. Saw my physio yesterday who went straight to her team leader who went to my consultant and my appt has been moved from 15th Dec to this Thursday, becau.se she thought I looked so awful. (no sleep the night before). I just dont know what to do for the best - considering a short walk off Southend Pier. I cant really afford to lose my job which I love at the same timeI don't think I can do full time anymore maybe not even part time until this pain gets less. I cant bear the thought that I went thru that op for nothing. Sorry moaning again, I know others are far worse off than me This may make some sort of sense. how do you manage? or are you millionares LOL