Bad Knees, Delivery, IHR. Long one, Sorry.

[wen2202]

Need your input and opinions here folks.

Back in June i had a daft slip off a step between two address points, never hit the floor, cussed a lot and carried on without a thought. By the end of the following week my knee had doubled in size, i mentioned this to a Line Manager in front of witnesses. I visited the drs and to cut a long story shorter i ended up having around 14 weeks off and i'm on the waiting list to have total knee replacement, in the meantime my other knee and left hand are showing the same signs of Osteoarthritis but i'm due to see my consultant again in just over a week so i'll see what he says.

I had a telephone consultation with Atos initially, where the lady said fine we'll contact you again to see how your getting on, the next Atos lady i couldn't understand and what she did say to me contradicts what was acctually printed out so that caused trouble. She also said that i did not come under the DDA.The local council have just issued me with a blue badge for parking so who's right.

I got a Stage 1 when i did return to work - although i was told this wasn't being enforced. I asked for a face to face consultation with Atos it was agreed that i could have one. (still waiting)

I am a part timer (30 hrs), the permanent float in a group, two of my days are really big heavy rounds, so as well as using my trolley as i can't carry the weight anymore i tell them i need help and i leave a third, i work to my time, no more no less.

Some of the Line Managers seem to have a problem with this and are harrassing me, the DOM comes in and trys to smarm it all over but even he is bullying,
with suggestions of working in a mail centre, driving,ill health retirement, doing the door to doors.

I want to carry on as normal, 30 hrs, delivering, my dr has supplied a fit to work note covering me to wear trainers and walk - it does mean something - all i ask for is reasonable adjustment of the trolley and help two days a week.

The new on is that i come in late for those two days a week and just bag up and deliver, thats fine if i don't need a piss for 6 hours.

Am i entitled to stick to my guns, normal working hours and take out what i know i can deliver leave the rest or take it all out and bring it back when my time ends or do two lates and walk for 6 hours with a catheter fitted or tell them where to stick it under DDA and leave me alone.
Or can i ask for a smaller permanent round that i can do.

Can they force me to retire, i'm 50, once my knees are replaced i should be back to normal, but unemployed due to being pushed out of a job.

Can anyone give me the best union rep to talk to West Mids region.

[steviemac]

Compromise, work 6 months in mail center with agreement that once operation done you can have your old duty back. Reasonable adjustment is difficult to quantify but we do a physical job and in your case 2 days aid on (extra support) represents a 1/3 of your week.

[wen2202]

Only problem is mail centre will not be days/ morning shifts, will cost £20/£30 a week in fuel and wear and tear and atleast an hours travelling a day.

Plus it could be 5 years before my knees are done, they only give them a life span of around 10/15 years.

[steviemac]

5 year wait unacceptable write to PALS address with local GP/PCT will reply within 10 days, in the present climate 'aid on' has a monetary value and cocks up office budget so your going to be on the management radar. Hopefully some union intervention will resolve the problem, if not just get the best deal you can, probably driving duty, and use your energy to get operation moved forward.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

These people may be able to help as well:


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[MickR]

Only problem is mail centre will not be days/ morning shifts, will cost £20/£30 a week in fuel and wear and tear and atleast an hours travelling a day.

Plus it could be 5 years before my knees are done, they only give them a life span of around 10/15 years.

Snag here is that even if you were classified as DDA (which you must be ala Ricky Bruch) RM have to make a reasonable adjustment, but that could mean anything from even working in the mail centre under the terms you describe, I am sure RM would classify it as a reasonable adjustment. First and foremost you need that face to face weith ATOS to determine whether you are DDA. By the way if I'm not mistaken the criteria to classify someone as DDA is that they have a condition which has lasted, or is likely to last 12 months or more, hardly any doubt with osteo-arthritis! I assume you are on a re-hab program? If so stick to the terms of this program, and if they try to move away from this insist that you want it in writing that they want to vary the rehab program against what was agreed reasonable. If they keep hassling you re medical severence, dismissal etc, insist they try and hurry up the ATOS meeting. Obviously yolu are only obliged to work to your time and if you have a problem completing delivery you should inform management at the earliest opportunity and agree between you and manager what you will leave. as per the conduct code agreement if this becomes a major problem get the Unit rep involved. If you PM me i will contact the best Div rep I know and ask him to suggest a local rep you can speak to!

[General Mannerheim]

Well what a surprise!!!
A set of lino`s and an unsympathetic DOM to contend with.
Also ATOS do now always seem to be using the first telephone call to come across as all nice and understanding and then the second conversation they seem to always be trying to say your condition isn`t covered by the DDA! (They tried this with me and I have a rare brain condition!)
The best thing to do in my opinion is go down to the local jobcentre and ask to see the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA),not only will they offer you good advice but will be able to make sure your getting the right help at work(plus it pisses off RM and ATOS as it shows you know your rights and arn`t a push over).
I`m sure RM would say offering you a job at a mail centre is a reasonable adjustment but if like me your local delivery office is nearer you can refuse to take them up on their kind offer unless of course they are going to pay for your travelling arrangements.

[wen2202]

Thanks folks you given me some good help and advice, i'll let you know what happens.

[brothermagrew]

And it is my belief in that this is what the brothers and sisters are all about, giving their sound advice on this message board. A big up to all the brothers and sisters who have responded with their kindness and knowledge over many thorny issues on this forum Well done all