Disability Discrimination Act (uk)

I'm currently working for a rather large company in the UK.

I started working for the company about 10 years ago now, at the time I applied for the engineering job I declared that I had Crohn's disease and fortunately enough got the Job. I started working 2days 2nights 12hours, then 4 days off.  Well all was going good up until this time last year when my illness progressed to the stage where I needed surgery. Prior to the surgery I struggled with pain, diarrhoea and blockages which led me to having 3 months off work, so me and the consultant thought it was the right time to have a resection. All went well with the operation and I recovered at home for another 3 months, so in total I've had 6 months off.

After my recovery I had a meeting with work to see the company occupational health nurse. She placed me on 6 hours days for 2 weeks and also asked if it was ok for me to sign a letter giving the company permission to contact my Surgeon for him to explain what I've had done. So thats what I did.

A couple of weeks passed I recieved a carbon copy of the letter from the surgeon. In his letter he explain the procedure and quotes that I recovered well but from a occupational point of view he should be able to go back to most physical activity although fatigue is a big problem with Crohn's patients.

Now the issue I have with work is that my manager wants to change my working hours and pattern. Now they want me to work 5 days per week, 8am-4pm. (weekends off)

To me this is the worst thing that could really happen! Not only will it be alot less money and annual leave but also it will be hard to fit all my appointments in to see my gastro team. My question I really want to know is can my company go ahead and do this to me? Is my company discriminating against me under the DDA for having Crohn's disease. The strange thing is I don't really suffer with fatigue and I work hard as any other employee at work...

Now my surgeon has given them this letter saying that people with Crohn's suffer with fatigue have I had it??????

Sorry its so long and boring, its just making me worry somewhat and I thought maybe somebody could help. Thanks.

I work full time and live in the UK. Through work I saw an occupational health doctor (at works request). Work paid for this. The doctor said I was covered by the DDA.

I have regular treatment (infliximab) and blood tests etc at my doctors. I am allowed up to 30 days per annum time off under the DDA to cover this. This is classed as disability adjustment leave.

As far as my work goes I consider myself very lucky to be covered by the DDA. The DDA usually covers chronic lifelong illness such as crohns.  Seek advice from your HR department and get your doctor to write a letter.

littlemissmuffet, lilcrohnieuk, uklass. Thanks very much for your replies. You were right buy saying that NACC have some good information on Disability etc. Also its great to know that we can have up to 30 days of per annum for doctor's appointments and be covered under the DDA.

You all have been most helpful.

Thank you.

I'm going back to work next week after 3 months post-surgery and my manager is referring me to occupational health; they want to get info from the consultant gastroenterologist and my GP.

I'm worried that the consultant will do the 'can lead a normal life, no problems' statement as the operation has put me in remission ( I think). Whereas I need them to say that 'things may change from day to day' because my 'new' body is still healing and learning what functions it can/can't do well yet, so flexible hours would be good for a while at least. 

There are times when you want to totally deny having a chronic illness and others where it helps to be as graphic as possible just in case of all eventualities!! 

anyone else had experience of this?

Penny

When I finally returned to work my manager requested me to see the occupational health doctor and HR.  They both said that I was covered by the DDA.

Occupational health started me on reduced hours. 6 hours for 4 days, 8 hours for 4 days, 10 hours 4 days, 12 hours 4 days all with 4 days off between shifts. Im now back upto full 12 hours shifts.  Occupational health suggested to my manager that it would  best suit my condition if I didn't work nights anymore so I've been placed on day shifts.

If you are worried what your consutant might say in the letter you could always phone he's secretary and explain your concerns, i'm sure she will be very understanding. Your occupational health should know that crohn's is a chronic illness and more likely will return someday in the future.

good luck.

I found this thread by googling occupational health & crohns and am so glad I did!

I am being referred to OH as I had 9 (Crohns related) days off last year and it came up in my appraisal. I made the mistake of mentioning that I get flare ups around my period and they have latched on to this and are trying to make out it's "just" period pains.

I am not signing the forms for the referral until this misleading statement has been corrected - "one or two days a month at her monthly cycle" - for starters it was not always at that time anyway.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks