Worried about my job security

[Amanda89]

I'm currently on a years contract in an office and hit my 3 month probation next week. Unfortunately after 2 years of my Crohns being mild it has flared up past couple of months meaning I've had 9 days off and having had today and yesterday off due to chronic diarrhea and severe lower back pain since Friday and not being able to eat a full meal since then, my boss has told me HR will be deducting pay for these 2 days now. I really don't feel confident about how my probation meeting will go. I understand it's no use for them having someone who's always ill, but obviously I need a job to make money!

 

[steph_irish]

Hi Amanda,that's tough. I don't really know what to say but fingers crossed you might be over-thinking things.
Whats your relationship like with your boss? Is there any way you could have a frank discussion and just ask straight out if it's going to affect you. Depends on how formal your chain of command is.
My bosses are different I could just say it as it is a pretty informal realtionship, as I work in an airport I have a very wide chain of command.
Stressing about it won't help your flare, as it releases hormones that can aggravate your symptoms even more. Hope things work out ok

 

[Amanda89]

Hi Steph I wouldn't say I have a bad relationship with my boss, but it's definitely not one where I would feel comfertable asking that question. It's a very small team that are all very clicky and have all worked together for a long time so I am definitely the outsider, but I like the actual job, the hours and pay are good so I'm happy just to go in and do my job and go home. (This makes me sound like I'm a really horrible person to work with, I'm just very self concious and shy lol)

 

[Goddess]

Did you already tell them you have Crohn's? I made that mistake once, won't be doing it again. Best case, they treat you like you're delicate and look at you funny when you eat a cookie...worst case, they assume you'll be unreliable.

Your probation is next week...I'd probably just stress how super-duper healthy I was until that's past. You can be green in the face and running to the bathroom every 2 seconds, and if you smile and say you're peachy, people often believe it, somehow.

Hang in there past probation! Best wishes!!

 

[CDJ]

Does your work know about your crohns? Do they understand why you are off work with it?
I worked with someone who has colitis, and her symptoms flared up really badly resulting in many days off. Even though work knew what she had, they really had no idea of how bad it could be. She ended up being disaplined for the amount of time she had off. In the end she saw HR, gave them leaflets of the illness, and gave them in graphic detail what it is doing to her body and why at time she just can't get into work :devil:. They never asked again, and she now doesn't lose pay if she has to take time off.

I would be as honest as possible and let them know exactly what is going on.

 

[Amanda89]

Yeah my line manager and hr are aware, but only because I was admitted to hospital the weekend I was due to start so they pushed the start date back a day for me. I'm not sure how much they know about the condition, someone in my office has celiac disease and I think they sort of assume it's like the same thing

 

[CDJ]

If you go onto the NACC website there are info sheets on there that you can print off and give to work. It give very good information on crohns and colitis and the impact it has on people. Unless you inform people in detail as to what IBD is they won't understand.
I have used the forms for my son's school and it has really helped with their understanding of his condition.

 

[Goddess]

Sorry, maybe it's different in the UK, but wouldn't reading the scary details of Crohn's just make most employers decide to start over with someone healthy?

 

[steph_irish]

Hi Steph I wouldn't say I have a bad relationship with my boss, but it's definitely not one where I would feel comfertable asking that question. It's a very small team that are all very clicky and have all worked together for a long time so I am definitely the outsider, but I like the actual job, the hours and pay are good so I'm happy just to go in and do my job and go home. (This makes me sound like I'm a really horrible person to work with, I'm just very self concious and shy lol)

Thats a shame and that does not make you sound horrible at all amanda, and I can see where you are coming from totally, I've worked in small groups, not easy being the newbie.

My advice hold your head high and avoid the negative self talk. It will get easier. :ghug:

I suffered wicked shyness when I was younger to the point I wouldn't dare go to a coffee shop on my own, I used to blush uncontrollably when talking to anyone and when I was aware of my blushing I blushed even more. Sitting on my own for lunch made me feel self-conscious.
I decided to go on an assertiveness course I swear I've never looked back. It taught me to feel comfortable approaching and talking to strangers. and I also started to wear a little make-up. It felt like i was putting on a mask I could hide behind.
Now you can't shut me up :highfive:

 

[steph_irish]

Sorry, maybe it's different in the UK, but wouldn't reading the scary details of Crohn's just make most employers decide to start over with someone healthy?

Not all, some employers are great. especially if your performance outweighs the illness

 

[Amanda89]

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I'm hoping to go back to work in the morning as I can't really afford much more time off so hopefully it'll go alright!

 

[steph_irish]

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I'm hoping to go back to work in the morning as I can't really afford much more time off so hopefully it'll go alright!

Good luck and by the way what a cute dog in your profile pic!!!! Take care amanda feel free to contact anytime :ghug:

 

[steph_irish]

Hi amanda
Just checking in to see how you are. Did u go to work?, if so how'd it go

 

[Amanda89]

Hi Steph unfortunately I ended up in hospital on Tuesday night and I'm still there. Diarrhea was getting worse and so was stomach ache and had started throwing up a lot. I've had a ct scan that has shown I have a lot of inflammation at the end of my large bowel so currently on sodium chloride drip to help the diarrhea. Hoping I'm not in too long!

 

[CDJ]

Hope you start to get better soon Amanda, and not in for too long x

 

[steph_irish]

Awww amanda I'm so sorry to hear that, I really hope you feel better soon. It's no fun I'm just over a nasty virus myself, had to take trip to A&E eyes were so swollen I couldn't see, not my best look. crohns is nasty honestly. . Please keep in touch.

 

[Donjh]

Hi Amanda hoping things are going better for you now please keep us updated.

 

[ronroush7]

Don't have any words of wisdom but I wish you the beosy

 

[Amanda89]

Hi thank you for your support. To give an update, I was put back on prednisolone, had my imuran increased and started on infliximab which I have my 2nd infusion for on Tuesday. The pred has stopped the diarrhea and vomiting, but still been struggling pain on my right side which I think is where the stricture is. I've also returned to work and had a meeting to discuss my Crohns an they have now realised that I can't predict when I'll be ill and have actually been quite helpful. Hoping to see an improvement with the pain after my next infusion

 

[Grant]

Pleased to hear that. It sounds like your workplace have listened. It also sounds like they want you there which must ne nice.
Good luck
Grant

 

[Amanda89]

Yeah I was really pleased, HR have asked for a report from my doctor an specialist about my condition because they want to learn more about it which I have consented to, but have asked for a copy of it first so I can see what is being said and that all the details are correct.

 

[steph_irish]

Hi amanda that's great news on the job , great result. hope your feeling a little better