Can someone help me on this issue please !!!!

[madelin4]

How do they choose to give uo Ill Health Retirement? I thought after 6 months you went on half pay, kind of forcing you out?

So are they doing this b4 6 months then?

[greynut]

How do they choose to give u Ill Health Retirement? I thought after 6 months you went on half pay, kind of forcing you out?

I think it a mutual thing. You can t do the manual work and they offer you something else. if it doesn t suit then you thrash something out between CWU and management.

Thing is, this is stopping me in my social life as well. No golf, swimming etc. So I am not going to leave with a wimper anyway.

[blackadder]

dear gazza and southsider

im not a doctor or qualified to give a opinion on a medical aspect. what i say is just my opinion, if people find that wrong or right thats not for me to say but in a land of free speech, which my grandfathers died in the wars to protect, then i have a right to have a say. there are to many people who abuse the system, i have a person at my place whos off with stress. how can anyone be off with that i dont know. im sorry if i have offended you gazza by what i said

[BELIAL]

Never been stressed Bladder? I'm sure some peeps might come to your aid

[madelin4]

dear gazza and southsider

im not a doctor or qualified to give a opinion on a medical aspect. what i say is just my opinion, if people find that wrong or right thats not for me to say but in a land of free speech, which my grandfathers died in the wars to protect, then i have a right to have a say. there are to many people who abuse the system, i have a person at my place whos off with stress. how can anyone be off with that i dont know. im sorry if i have offended you gazza by what i said

Stress is serious and must be treated just like any other illness, it can lead to many many health problems if not sorted. What is stress to 1 person may not be to another person.

[greynut]

dear gazza and southsider

im not a doctor or qualified to give a opinion on a medical aspect. what i say is just my opinion, if people find that wrong or right thats not for me to say but in a land of free speech, which my grandfathers died in the wars to protect, then i have a right to have a say. there are to many people who abuse the system, i have a person at my place whos off with stress. how can anyone be off with that i dont know. im sorry if i have offended you gazza by what i said

Not a problem. I am a little worried. I have been off a while, did not want to cancel my holiday and just wanted to clear everything with my manager. (Which seemed the norm in any other job).
I realise that it looks odd that I am off sick and went to Spain and then trying to get holiday back. But I have also tried to help people around me and been pissed on from a great height. So I thought 'what the f**k'.
A few people told me its 'my right'. But like you I thought it looked a bit of a liberty and thought this would be the best place to get an impartial opinion.
No offence take mate.......

[BoltonPostie]

Been of sick for 6 weeks, got a phone call at 10 this morning from EHS then a registered letter at 1030 from a manager who wants to come to my house on Wednesday to see how i am.

Tell them to piss off, you go to them whenever you are fit enough to do so, contact you union rep and get it sorted

It's ok i am a rep

Get someone higher up (the higher the better) and get them to deal with it. Or better still invite him to your house and then introduce him to Mr Baseball Bat

Have you had a visit off a manager yet?
They are taking the piss,I`m in the same boat with some area manager wanting me to go to a mailcentre miles away,even though I`ve been into my own delivery office and been `interviewed` off the DOM.
Rung union HQ yesterday and guess what he said......go to the meeting as he only wants to `interview` you as RM are a caring employer..I s**t you not.

[ade@cambs]

Been of sick for 6 weeks, got a phone call at 10 this morning from EHS then a registered letter at 1030 from a manager who wants to come to my house on Wednesday to see how i am.

Tell them to piss off, you go to them whenever you are fit enough to do so, contact you union rep and get it sorted

It's ok i am a rep

Get someone higher up (the higher the better) and get them to deal with it. Or better still invite him to your house and then introduce him to Mr Baseball Bat

Have you had a visit off a manager yet?
They are taking the piss,I`m in the same boat with some area manager wanting me to go to a mailcentre miles away,even though I`ve been into my own delivery office and been `interviewed` off the DOM.
Rung union HQ yesterday and guess what he said......go to the meeting as he only wants to `interview` you as RM are a caring employer..I s**t you not.

Yep same here, so he is coming round mine for tea and biscuits on Thursday.

[madelin4]

How can a manager come to your private home??? is this only in the case where you are unable to make it out of the house?? dont sound right to me.

[Southsider]

dear gazza and southsider

im not a doctor or qualified to give a opinion on a medical aspect. what i say is just my opinion, if people find that wrong or right thats not for me to say but in a land of free speech, which my grandfathers died in the wars to protect, then i have a right to have a say. there are to many people who abuse the system, i have a person at my place whos off with stress. how can anyone be off with that i dont know. im sorry if i have offended you gazza by what i said

Dear blackadder,

I'm afraid i am somewhat confused by your post.While you stated you were not a doctor or qualified to give a opinion on medical aspects you then proceeded to do exactly that.I am sure you are sincere when you say you can't understand why anyone would need to take time off for a stress related illness, but as Madelin4 pointed out it does indeed affect different individuals in different ways and is regarded by the medical profession as one of the main contributer's to absenteism in the modern workplace.You also rightly pointed out your right to your opinion (In the land of free speech) which you will find i agreed with in my initial post but was curious as to what you had based it on. As i deceided to base my opinion on widely reported medical fact's.

p.s,Interesting choice of avatar for someone who holds the individuals right to freedom so highly.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

An American page but useful http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 003211.htm

Alternative Names
Anxiety; Feeling uptight; Stress; Tension; Jitters; Apprehension

Definition

Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious. What is stressful to one person is not necessarily stressful to another.

Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.

Considerations

Stress is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good -- it can motivate you and help you be more productive. However, too much stress, or a strong response to stress, is harmful. It can set you up for general poor health as well as specific physical or psychological illnesses like infection, heart disease, or depression. Persistent and unrelenting stress often leads to anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like overeating and abuse of alcohol or drugs.

Emotional states like grief or depression and health conditions like an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, or heart attack can also cause stress.

Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms, including:

* Twitching or trembling
* Muscle tension, headaches
* Sweating
* Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing
* Abdominal pain (may be the only symptom of stress, especially in a child)

Sometimes other symptoms accompany anxiety:

* Dizziness
* Rapid or irregular heart rate
* Rapid breathing
* Diarrhea or frequent need to urinate
* Fatigue
* Irritability, including loss of your temper
* Sleeping difficulties and nightmares
* Decreased concentration
* Sexual problems

Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety. They include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia.

Causes

Certain drugs, both recreational and medicinal, can lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or withdrawal from the drug. Such drugs include caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cold remedies, decongestants, bronchodilators for asthma, tricyclic antidepressants, cocaine, amphetamines, diet pills, ADHD medications, and thyroid medications.

A poor diet -- for example, low levels of vitamin B12 -- can also contribute to stress or anxiety. Performance anxiety is related to specific situations, like taking a test or making a presentation in public. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a traumatic event like war, physical or sexual assault, or a natural disaster. People with generalized anxiety disorder experience almost constant worry or anxiety about many things on more than half of all days for 6 months. Panic disorder or panic attacks involve sudden and unexplained fear, rapid breathing, and increased heartbeat.

In very rare cases, a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of anxiety. The symptoms are caused by an overproduction of hormones responsible for the feelings of anxiety.

Home Care

The most effective solution is to find and address the source of your stress or anxiety. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. A first step is to take an inventory of what you think might be making you "stress out":

* What do you worry about most?
* Is something constantly on your mind?
* Does anything in particular make you sad or depressed?
* Keep a diary of the experiences and thoughts that seem to be related to your anxiety. Are your thoughts adding to your anxiety in these situations?

Then, find someone you trust (friend, family member, neighbor, clergy) who will listen to you. Often, just talking to a friend or loved one is all that is needed to relieve anxiety. Most communities also have support groups and hotlines that can help. Social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals may be needed for therapy and medication.

Also, find healthy ways to cope with stress. For example:

* Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. Don't overeat.
* Get enough sleep.
* Exercise regularly.
* Limit caffeine and alcohol.
* Don't use nicotine, cocaine, or other recreational drugs.
* Learn and practice relaxation techniques like guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, tai chi, or meditation. Try biofeedback, using a certified professional to get you started.
* Take breaks from work. Make sure to balance fun activities with your responsibilities. Spend time with people you enjoy.
* Find self-help books at your local library or bookstore.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Your doctor can help you determine if your anxiety would be best evaluated and treated by a mental health care professional.

Call 911 if:

* You have crushing chest pain, especially with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating. A heart attack can cause feelings of anxiety.
* You have thoughts of suicide.
* You have dizziness, rapid breathing, or racing heartbeat for the first time or it is worse than usual.

Call your health care provider if:

* You are unable to work or function properly at home because of anxiety.
* You do not know the source or cause of your anxiety.
* You have a sudden feeling of panic.
* You have an uncontrollable fear -- for example, of getting infected and sick if you are out, or a fear of heights.
* You repeat an action over and over again, like constantly washing your hands.
* You have an intolerance to heat, weight loss despite a good appetite, lump or swelling in the front of your neck, or protruding eyes. Your thyroid may be overactive.
* Your anxiety is elicited by the memory of a traumatic event.
* You have tried self care for several weeks without success or you feel that your anxiety will not resolve without professional help.

Ask your pharmacist or health care provider if any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are taking can cause anxiety as a side effect. Do not stop taking any prescribed medicines without your provider's instructions.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, paying close attention to your pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

To help better understand your anxiety, stress, or tension, your doctor may ask the following:

* When did your feelings of stress, tension, or anxiety begin? Do you attribute the feelings to anything in particular like an event in your life or a circumstance that scares you?
* Do you have physical symptoms along with your feelings of anxiety? What are they?
* Does anything make your anxiety better?
* Does anything make your anxiety worse?
* What medications are you taking?

Diagnostic tests may include blood tests (CBC, thyroid function tests) as well as an electrocardiogram (ECG).

If the anxiety is not accompanied by any worrisome physical signs and symptoms, a referral to a mental health care professional may be recommended for appropriate treatment.

Psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to significantly decrease anxiety. In some cases, medications such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants may be appropriate.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.dissectmedicine.com/stress

and

http://www.channel4.com/health/microsit ... _myth.html

stress at work

It is true, as Dr Briner says, that there is a common view that work is becoming more stressful. In reality, what seems to be happening is that stress at work is becoming better recognised. At the same time responsible managers are beginning to accept that there are some aspects of job design and culture that may cause stress to some of their employees.

There is a greater understanding that employers can now take actions which will enable them to help reduce stress at work while also meeting their legal obligations to maintain the mental well-being of their workforce.

Apart from the obvious advantages of a happier workforce, there are considerable cost benefits from tackling stress at work. Recent figures from the CBI show that absence caused through stress is costing UK businesses £10 billion a year. The Industrial Society has found that nine out of 10 organisations have had their productivity reduced by stress. Private health company Bupa calculates that 270,000 people take time off work every day due to stress.

All these organisations have no problem in quantifying the costs of the stress which, according to Dr Briner, does not exist. It is in the area of workplace stress that it is important that there should be shared definitions. In the UK, employers should use the Health and Safety Executive's definition of stress. This describes stress as:

'The reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them. It arises when they worry that they can't cope.'

This definition explains both the individual nature of stress and also the difference between pressure and stress.

[Southsider]

An American page but useful http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 003211.htm

Alternative Names
Anxiety; Feeling uptight; Stress; Tension; Jitters; Apprehension

Definition

Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious. What is stressful to one person is not necessarily stressful to another.

Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.

Considerations

Stress is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good -- it can motivate you and help you be more productive. However, too much stress, or a strong response to stress, is harmful. It can set you up for general poor health as well as specific physical or psychological illnesses like infection, heart disease, or depression. Persistent and unrelenting stress often leads to anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like overeating and abuse of alcohol or drugs.

Emotional states like grief or depression and health conditions like an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, or heart attack can also cause stress.

Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms, including:

* Twitching or trembling
* Muscle tension, headaches
* Sweating
* Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing
* Abdominal pain (may be the only symptom of stress, especially in a child)

Sometimes other symptoms accompany anxiety:

* Dizziness
* Rapid or irregular heart rate
* Rapid breathing
* Diarrhea or frequent need to urinate
* Fatigue
* Irritability, including loss of your temper
* Sleeping difficulties and nightmares
* Decreased concentration
* Sexual problems

Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety. They include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia.

Causes

Certain drugs, both recreational and medicinal, can lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or withdrawal from the drug. Such drugs include caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cold remedies, decongestants, bronchodilators for asthma, tricyclic antidepressants, cocaine, amphetamines, diet pills, ADHD medications, and thyroid medications.

A poor diet -- for example, low levels of vitamin B12 -- can also contribute to stress or anxiety. Performance anxiety is related to specific situations, like taking a test or making a presentation in public. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a traumatic event like war, physical or sexual assault, or a natural disaster. People with generalized anxiety disorder experience almost constant worry or anxiety about many things on more than half of all days for 6 months. Panic disorder or panic attacks involve sudden and unexplained fear, rapid breathing, and increased heartbeat.

In very rare cases, a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of anxiety. The symptoms are caused by an overproduction of hormones responsible for the feelings of anxiety.

Home Care

The most effective solution is to find and address the source of your stress or anxiety. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. A first step is to take an inventory of what you think might be making you "stress out":

* What do you worry about most?
* Is something constantly on your mind?
* Does anything in particular make you sad or depressed?
* Keep a diary of the experiences and thoughts that seem to be related to your anxiety. Are your thoughts adding to your anxiety in these situations?

Then, find someone you trust (friend, family member, neighbor, clergy) who will listen to you. Often, just talking to a friend or loved one is all that is needed to relieve anxiety. Most communities also have support groups and hotlines that can help. Social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals may be needed for therapy and medication.

Also, find healthy ways to cope with stress. For example:

* Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. Don't overeat.
* Get enough sleep.
* Exercise regularly.
* Limit caffeine and alcohol.
* Don't use nicotine, cocaine, or other recreational drugs.
* Learn and practice relaxation techniques like guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, tai chi, or meditation. Try biofeedback, using a certified professional to get you started.
* Take breaks from work. Make sure to balance fun activities with your responsibilities. Spend time with people you enjoy.
* Find self-help books at your local library or bookstore.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Your doctor can help you determine if your anxiety would be best evaluated and treated by a mental health care professional.

Call 911 if:

* You have crushing chest pain, especially with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating. A heart attack can cause feelings of anxiety.
* You have thoughts of suicide.
* You have dizziness, rapid breathing, or racing heartbeat for the first time or it is worse than usual.

Call your health care provider if:

* You are unable to work or function properly at home because of anxiety.
* You do not know the source or cause of your anxiety.
* You have a sudden feeling of panic.
* You have an uncontrollable fear -- for example, of getting infected and sick if you are out, or a fear of heights.
* You repeat an action over and over again, like constantly washing your hands.
* You have an intolerance to heat, weight loss despite a good appetite, lump or swelling in the front of your neck, or protruding eyes. Your thyroid may be overactive.
* Your anxiety is elicited by the memory of a traumatic event.
* You have tried self care for several weeks without success or you feel that your anxiety will not resolve without professional help.

Ask your pharmacist or health care provider if any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are taking can cause anxiety as a side effect. Do not stop taking any prescribed medicines without your provider's instructions.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, paying close attention to your pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

To help better understand your anxiety, stress, or tension, your doctor may ask the following:

* When did your feelings of stress, tension, or anxiety begin? Do you attribute the feelings to anything in particular like an event in your life or a circumstance that scares you?
* Do you have physical symptoms along with your feelings of anxiety? What are they?
* Does anything make your anxiety better?
* Does anything make your anxiety worse?
* What medications are you taking?

Diagnostic tests may include blood tests (CBC, thyroid function tests) as well as an electrocardiogram (ECG).

If the anxiety is not accompanied by any worrisome physical signs and symptoms, a referral to a mental health care professional may be recommended for appropriate treatment.

Psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to significantly decrease anxiety. In some cases, medications such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants may be appropriate.

Now here's a man who has done his homework

[wolfie citizen smith]

How do they choose to give uo Ill Health Retirement? I thought after 6 months you went on half pay, kind of forcing you out?

who are "they"
IHR can be requested by royal mail if the injury is to serious, EHS will agree if they feel the injury is warrented.
pay is a different issue to IHR,
bearing in mind that this comrade had a A.O.D which will also result in a settlement,
and once the legal department get going there is no stopping them.

[thebeast]

A few in our place have been paid off through being off with stress..