What next????

I had my meeting at work yesterday. Couldn't write yesterday as my head was and to be honest still is mostly all over the place!! I met up with my union officer P at 1pm and we talked about what we thought would happen in the meeting - both of us believed that the trust wouldn't make a decision there and then and would need time to think of the options of allowing me part time working or redeployment.

I went in and listened to the managements case - making it all out to be viral infections or trivialising all my absences. This is not the reality - the reality was that I only ever took time off work when I was in hospital acutely unwell or just post a hospitalisation for recovery before returning - often before I was well as I was worried about yesterday ever arriving!!

It was then my turn to ask questions! We hadn't really structured questions and had instead a written log of our comments on the management case - most of which did not need a response from management and some than warranted explanation.

It turns out that it is very common knowledge within my department that I was replaced last year, which itself is totally unacceptable. This was denied at the meeting but will come out in the wash when they fail to replace me I suppose - again strengthening my case in any possible tribunal. I have heard E referred to as the new me, so it doesn't take Einstein to work out they didn't intend on having me return to work and the meeting was a formality!

The other major comment was the lack of support they had given not allowing me to reduce my hours and not thinking of alternative employment and refusing the opportunity to work with remploy! This then lead to a side issue to which I have never been involved in, there are huge discussions over the on-call part of my job and all staff have been included in the debate - except me - did they have no intention of including me as they knew I wouldn't be there??? mmm!


Anyway, P and I were told to get a drink whilst they thought over this difficult decision... we went and sat downstairs where my manager asked if I had brought my locker key in with me....! - Yes I kid you not, the meeting it appeared had already reached a decision in my mind at that point! It took a grand total of between 5 and 10 minutes before the HR representative came in to say they had reached a decision. Walking back in that room I knew the response before they said anything. They were not prepared to help in anyway- the NHS sucks!

Anyway - I am to receive 5 weeks pay plus my annual leave pay (roughly 5 weeks also!)That's it! No job no income and a mortgage to pay!, Needless to say I was and still am totally devastated - I feel as though I have no purpose anymore. I also feel angry they didn't do anything to help me keep my job which in my view shows them up as the uncaring ass's they are. (Trying not to swear which believe me is all I wanna do right now!)

I met up with a friend M from work afterwards who informed me that ALL staff in the department got £15 worth of vouchers at Christmas - yes all staff, was I not included in the staff at that point because I got nothing!!! In the entire year last year whilst I was attached to oxygen and IV's I did not so much as receive a scrap of paper wishing me well - had they given up when I originally went into hospital?? I believe they had really - they had no intention of helping!

Anyway - I'm due to go out with a couple of nice peeps from work and the kids so I'm going to have to draw a conclusion to this post..

Next step is to wait for the confirmation letter from HR which I expect was probably already typed and will be here in a day or so - it amazes me how efficient they can be at times!! Then lodge an appeal, if that as i suspect it will do, does in fact fail I have to then do a tribunal case against them. But, and this is a big but - they destroyed my everything yesterday, I felt and still do feel like my world is slowly crumbling around me - all for having miserable asthma!!

Anyways peeps - I will try and post good news soon, till then take care all,
Lv Rattles Xxx