Recently posted about my situation of suffering from migraines at work (about 13-15 attacks a month) - have been having a lot of time at work, (work have all my neurology reports/docs notes etc) but i had been given my first written warning after being askd to come to my second disciplinary meeting. Its really difficult to deal with being given a warning for something that is out of your control, especially when im waiting to see the neurologist again....
Ive tried to deal with all this but clearly its causing a lot of stress especially when my manager makes me feel like a burden everytime im trying to deal with a migraine at work...
Well on thursday after dragging myself to work in agony with a migraine for two days, my manager made me feel terrible by completely disregarding the fact that there was something wrong with me, and carried on making me deal with stressful situations which aggravated my condition, i finally flipped out, lost control and ended up in tears quite badly..and cried uncontrollably all night - went to the docs yesterday, and completely broke down..and ive been signed off frm stress for 2 weeks. I cant face going back in two weeks and im thinking of handing my notice in when i go back.
What would be the deal with my iva at that point? Surely ones health at this point becomes more important, is there any leeway in regards to payment breaks etc. Im going to use this two weeks to clear my head but also job search... i just cant face going back, plus i feel that by being signed off, its going to aggravate my boss a lot and he will eventually get rid of me.
Im just coming up to my second annual review, i dont want it to mess up, but they say u gota look out for number one and right now, i need to look after me...
I'm so sorry sstar - you can do without this aggravation at the moment and it's certainly not going to help your migraine.
Your health is paramount but I would think long and hard about handing in your notice as you do need a job. Is there anyone you can complain to about your boss? He/she should not be treating you like this. I would look at getting another note at the end of the two weeks if you're not up to going back.
I hope Julie is going to look in later as she may well be able to help as she works in HR.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Hi s-star,
Check your contract, if you've been there nearly two years my guess is you can have a number of months off sick on full pay and then some on half pay. Get to know your rights under the terms of employment. By no means hand in your norice - that is work and financial suicide - it will make getting references and another job very hard.
Go back to your doctor and explain the stress you are under and the effect it is having on you, your symptoms, etc - your G.P can expidite your hospital appointment so it happens sooner. Your symptoms sound like you may have "Cluster Headaches" as apposed to mygraines. Cluster haedaches can be successfully medicated, so try to remain calm and don't do anything rash.
Best wishes,
Chardonnay
Thanks for the replies guys, its a tough one, hes my sales manager and also the owner of the company. Its a fitness club owned by two owners.. Im the only one in the sales team, along with this manager who is making me feel worse. The only other person to complain to is his business partner who is his also his best friend..! (which gives me no leg to stand on)
And already, me having 2 weeks off is making me feel like im leaving the company at such a loose end, i really am dreading going back, but i know that taking more time off is going to make it even worse to go back...
Unfortunately there is nothing in my contract about extended sick leave, its a small business - already ive been penalised for the odd day ive been having off..
The neurologist has diagnosed them with migraines, ive had them every month for the past 3.5 years but they are still trying to find a preventative treatment that works as so far ive had no joy...
Im stuck in a very horrible cycle and i feel like its lose lose situation for me..
As long as its certified sickness - they would be stupid to try and sack you - however, long term sickness will impact on you salary - so perhaps you need to take advice/ and take your work contract down to CAB regards employment Law as well seek advice about any long term sick pay etc.
Horrible situation to be in - tempting as it is to leave - you may find you would be without benefits etc.
Hi s-star2009 - what a nice supportive boss you have, NOT!
Why not ask your boss to refer you to occupational health or their own doctor? This will enable them to assess your illness and work with you.
Do not feel threatened to hand your notice in, you have rights. Please contact me off forum if you want, its sometimes hard to give HR advice without knowing the full picture.
If you need Julie's address sstar, let me know and I will put you both in touch.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Has your neurologist suggested any medication that would help the migraines? If not and you cannot work because of them then maybe you would be entitled to disability living allowance, or look for a different career. If you cant face going back in 2 weeks then you are not ready 2 go back. Hope you get things sorted.
Hi s-star, I can totally sympathise. If your hospital isn't getting you anywhere the best two in the country are Charing Cross and the National Hospital for Neurology. I went go CC and they cracked it straight away. I'm on daily medication and mostly fine now although before I had a similar number go you 15+ per month. The bruising from the first one didn't have time to go before the next one started so I was constantly at some point of a migraine. It's so tiring to keep working and then come home and flop in a cold dark room until it's time for work again. But don't be forced out by an inconsiderate boss and keep pursuing the treatments. If your boss is paying go to NHNN as they are tops but after the initial diagnosis most of their services are private. Do have a word with Julie as she has helped lots of posters with employment questions. Good luck xx
I suffer from migraines, thankfully not often and I can spot the warnig signs early. My mum gets them and is wiped out for days and my youngest daughter takes daily tabs to prevent them. A colleague of mine is injecting medication when a migraine is suspected, so there are various treatments.
Please look at the advice the posters have given and keep us updated xx
My first tell is yawning a LOT and funnily the headache is often the last thing to come. They're all so individual, I think that's why they're difficult to treat. I still haven't found a good enough acute medication...I'll ask about the injections next time I'm in as i haven't tried those but none of the pills work (apart from one which knocks me out for about six hours which is no good at work).
Yawning is a big sign for me BOL...different to tired yawning though, if that makes sense? Then I get a funny taste in my mouth before my right eye closes....then the pain comes!
The injections are 2 times a day, I can find out the name, details etc if you want?
Oh my God - I've never known anyone else to yawn! But yes - big yawns that take ages and taste awful. My muscles contract quite badly so I always think it's a lack of oxygen or some chemical that needs to be got rid of. My eyes go too...all bloodshot and swollen and I can't keep them open. Then the hammer blow that can literally make me fall over. It used to be so embarrassing inthe office because the hammer bit would throw me forward and I'd bang my head on the desk or blind spots would make me walk into things even occasionally, people. The eye thing is good tho as it's a physical sign that let's the boss know you are actually ill and not skiving.
Something I've never suffered with thankfully and rarely get headaches at all.
Hubby used to get them but they seem to have vanished now. He used to get everything going bright and then if he looked at a page then half of it would disappear. He had the mother of all migraines after an angiogram one weekend and never had one since thankfully!
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I can imagine migraines are awful and do empathise, I get a few headaches but that's through lack of drinking and it's only sometimes when the headache comes on I realise like today at about 3pm I hadn't had a drink yet!
IVA final payment left the bank on the 26th January 2013...looking forward to a debt free future.
