I have schizoaffective disorder. The diagnosis doesn't matter too much, but the symptoms do get in the way of certain things. I'm hardly bothered by anything at the moment (occasional voices, but that's pretty much it), but there are times when things are very difficult. My mood gets very low (I have the depressive type of schizoaffective disorder) and positive and negative symptoms end up unbearable.
With the help of Remploy, I'm looking to get back into work. I want to go into care work as I'd like to study nursing and the more experience the better. Remploy have said that they can talk to potential employers about any reasonable adjustments that I might need. Thing is, I'm not sure what reasonable adjustments would be helpful, which is not at all helpful to anyone.
So, I guess the point of this ramble is to ask what reasonable adjustments have helped other people. What have you found useful? What have you not found useful? Input from anyone is welcome, but especially from those in care work.
The only one I can think of is more regular supervision, as self-doubt has had a huge impact on my ability to do a job in the past, and getting positive feedback and constructive criticism would help keep me on the level.
Thanks in advance! :)
“Our defeats are softened and our victories are sweetened because we did it together.” - Toby Ziegler.
I have unstable mood and physical symptoms due to recurring depressions plus sprinklies [!].
I work for a council department, and since diagnosis I have had reasonable adjustments in place, initially negotiated with the support of a disabilities rep.
What helps me mostly is
- my hours worked around my appointments
- able to take annual leave at short notice if I can feel an episode coming on and need a day or so out to stabilise, or if I'm feeling very vulnerable.
- flexibility as to whether I cover the library floor or do office based tasks, depending on vulnerability/motivation/irritability/fight-flight levels.
- regular check in meetings with my line manager, just to chat about any workplace or personal issues effecting me.
If I think of anything else I'll come back to this. :)
Thank you, Stellata. That's really helpful. I don't have a disabilities rep as such, but the person at Remploy I see is very switched on and has lots of experience of people working with disabilities. She's said she'd be more than happy negotiating with me/on my behalf.
Appointments aren't too bad as I only have one a month at the moment. They do increase in frequency if I start to slip, but that hasn't happened for a while. It would be good to have some flexibility around shifts though.
Annual leave is another good point. I'm not sure if it would be considered "reasonable" to do this in a care environment because of the staff to service user ratios needing to be constant. It's worth enquiring though.
Check ins are good. I've worked in care in the past and have not had these as regularly as I should have done. I think this has in part contributed to the break down of employment. I'd definitely be looking for regular feedback in any new job.
I'm sorry that you've had a bad experience, Synapse. *hug*
“Our defeats are softened and our victories are sweetened because we did it together.” - Toby Ziegler.
synapse, technically, disability related sick leave isn't included in sick leave calculations for disciplinary etc.
Glad I could help, Au. It's good to have someone who can advocate for you. I was lucky to have the lady around when I did, as she was made redundant several years ago now - but thankfully have had a string of very clued in and switched on and sensitive managers, which makes all the difference. [A previous manager asked 'what's your diagnosis? borderline?' at the counter with customers around :/. It's not my official diagnosis, but still bleh and - 10 for sensitivity!]
Yes, it is. I'm a bit of a wet lettuce when it comes to standing up to myself and asking for what I need. Partly because I don't want to put anyone out, partly because I feel ashamed at having a disability. I think having Remploy on my side will make a huge difference.
Oh, that's terribly insensitive of your previous manager. I once had a manager (of a care home) say to me that she was worried about employing me because she had to protect the people I'd have been supporting. I never went back. I have never been a danger to anyone else and I explained this to her, but it made no difference. Some people really are quite clueless.
“Our defeats are softened and our victories are sweetened because we did it together.” - Toby Ziegler.
I work in health care and I just go back off sick leave.
I am still working my usual hours but because of my bipolar I can have reasonable adjustment.
My adjustments are that I don't work night shift because they can cause my mood to go too high.
Also I have a person I can go to at work if things get tough, like an appointed in work counsellor.
I ma leaving this job soon but if I was going to stay I also would have gotten regular reviews to see how I'm coping and if I need help with anything.
It is all really helpful and you are perfectly entitled to it.
The average,
well-adjusted adult
gets up at 7.30am feeling just plain terrible.
Call me Kate.
I have dyslexia so please excuse my poor spelling and sometimes poor understanding.
I too struggle with night shift, in the opposite way. Not having a good sleeping pattern can send me a bit squiffy (she says, typing this at 3:45 am...)
Regular reviews are a good plan. I think this would be my main one.
Thank you for saying that I'm entitled to it. It makes me feel as though I'm being awkward, but I guess I'm doing it for the employer as much as myself, as I'm going to be more likely to do the job better if things are in place.
“Our defeats are softened and our victories are sweetened because we did it together.” - Toby Ziegler.
Whilst a lot of things are good practice it depends on the employer e.g not including disability related absences 'may be' a reasonable adjustment (EHRC). Hopefully your employer will be fine, but I have been down the legal route to try to get any RA in place and had similar problems to synapse. Luckily my current employer is supportive.
Thank you for saying that I'm entitled to it. It makes me feel as though I'm being awkward, but I guess I'm doing it for the employer as much as myself, as I'm going to be more likely to do the job better if things are in place.
In health care it is all about making sure that everyone is as safe as possible and if there is a time when things could become unsafe for you or someone you working with or caring for that there are preventative and supportive measures in place to protect all involved.
Occupational health are really really good. Mental health causes a lot of sickness in the work place and you can't be discriminated against for it. This means that occupational health are very skilled at helping people to continue to work and and making sure that their health, mental and physical, is cared for.
I have learnt that occupational health are on your side. They are often more supportive than you mental health team when it comes to keeping you supported enough to work safely.
The NHS actually offer counselling for all their employees. This is really helpful if there is a particular incident at work which causes you distress (like a traumatic death or a violent patient).
The occupational health doctor or nurse will go through all the arrangements they can make for you and what your options are. They want you to be safe and well so they will help you a lot.
The average,
well-adjusted adult
gets up at 7.30am feeling just plain terrible.
Call me Kate.
I have dyslexia so please excuse my poor spelling and sometimes poor understanding.
synapse, technically, disability related sick leave isn't included in sick leave calculations for disciplinary etc.
Glad I could help, Au. It's good to have someone who can advocate for you. I was lucky to have the lady around when I did, as she was made redundant several years ago now - but thankfully have had a string of very clued in and switched on and sensitive managers, which makes all the difference. [A previous manager asked 'what's your diagnosis? borderline?' at the counter with customers around :/. It's not my official diagnosis, but still bleh and - 10 for sensitivity!]
Hi Thank you for your reply.
It is difficult right now
Thanks
Last edited by synapse321 : 17-08-2012 at 06:23 AM.
Contact the equalities and human rights commission for free advice. They were helpful when I went through similar. If you read my earlier post though I started legal proceedings against my employer. Whilst there may be things you could (not should) be entitled to, it is a fight to get them if they refuse.
Contact the equalities and human rights commission for free advice. They were helpful when I went through similar. If you read my earlier post though I started legal proceedings against my employer. Whilst there may be things you could (not should) be entitled to, it is a fight to get them if they refuse.
Thanks for your supporting post.
However, at the present moment I feel overwhelmed and not strong enough to fight it.
