Unsure of what to do

Re: Unsure of what to do

Selena Carnell — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:34:05 GMT

it sounds like they are attempting constructive dismissal, get legal and medical advice.

If you are unable to do all things it sounds like they are trying to pick at things to get you to leave as theoretically thy can't sack you due to your injury.

Re: Unsure of what to do

Nikki Graef — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:35:46 GMT

If you injured yourself at work your employers should be treading on eggshells around you and making sure you are happy as you can sue them in a shot!! Where there is blame there is a claim!!!

You shouldnt have to put up with this bullying, i know you say you cant get another job but you cant stay in a job where they treat you like this. Its only a job at the end of the day and practices are crying out for nurses, your health and mental wellbeing are far more important than staying in a job where you are bullied and miserable. Personally id rather work behind the checkout in a supermarket and be happy and stress free than work in a practice where i was treated like crap.

I hope things work out for you, get some legal advice and get yourself signed off work until you are better

Re: Unsure of what to do

Tracy Windler RVN — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:47:50 GMT

Hi Anon,

I hope you've managed to get things sorted. I really feel for you, as I have been in a similar situation, although not due to injury.

It sounds very much like your employers are the paranoid type (like mine were). They seem to have convinced themselves that you are taking them for a ride and lying about your injury so have taken it upon themselves to bully you into submission or resignation. They obviously believe that they are not in the wrong, as no employer could be stupid enough to blatently contravene H&S in this way and risk prosecution, surely?

My boss was convinced that I was in her practice to deliberately cause trouble (she had come across this many times before, apparently or is that just in your crazy head?!) She tried to convince me that all the other staff could see how I was behaving, I was dragging them down and making everyone hate me. It was all very manipulative and unpleasant. Since moving practices locally, I have discovered how notorious she is and how destructive to her own busoness people consider her to be. I feel very vindicated now, but it took a while for me to beleive in my own abilities again.

I'm afraid I am of the opinion that there is little scope for salvaging this situation and I would definitely talk to your Dr about reporting this to the H&S executive (afer checking that the details have been recorded in the accident book!). Did they not feel any remorse for causing you to break down infront of them?!

Good luck, anon xx

Re: Unsure of what to do

Leanne Tyreman-Guest — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:35:01 GMT

How are things anon? hope you are ok, this is awful of your practice, its against the law dont they get that?!

Hope you get some joy with BVNA, they are fab!

Big hugs to you.

Re: Unsure of what to do

Sammyannieantha — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:33:33 GMT

good god!!please do not let them bully you like that,what arseholes!!!!you dont deserve that at all sweet and if i were you i would try and get outv there!!I have a mild scoliosis and people at my work are so helpful and H&S aware-its the law!!-we go get the malesfor heavy dogs!!You coulds actually sue because theyv compromised H&S!!seems to me like often people at work dont understand how people cannot function and must have rest/ light duties when sustaining an injury or being ill for that matter...You must must must rest and try find somewhere else to work hun please dont think there is no way out because there ALWAYS is!I really do feel for you-big hugs X

Re: Unsure of what to do

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:24:49 GMT

Thank you all for your replies. I have already been signed off while I was in hospital. I am going to phone the BVNA on monday. I am just petrified that if I say anything it will make things so much worse. I have been at the practice for over 5 years.

I have said and explained to all members of staff what I am able to do and what I can't do but no-one seems to respect that and when something happens I have said that I am unable to do that and I just get shouted down.

Re: Unsure of what to do

Kim Buckley — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:23:09 GMT

Your practice sounds liken a horrendous place to work! I would definately seek legal and medical advice! Hope things get sorted soon! x

Re: Unsure of what to do

Sophie Bedford RVN CertVNECC — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:00:13 GMT

This sounds like a terrible situation to be in, your bosses should be supporting you to make sure you are fit and healthy to continue to work without having a go! Big hugs xx

With regard to how to sort it out I agree with previous posts to possibly speak to BVNA legal helpline, might also be worth a call to your local Health and Safety Executive to report the work incident if it has caused hospitalisation you should be due compensation for this if not more!

I agree also that you shouldn't feel pressured to ever do more than you can or more than you should be doing, whether you feel up to it or not.

Chin up - hopefully some of the advice on here has helped and I really hope the situation improves! ... xx

Re: Unsure of what to do

Mac Feather — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:38:36 GMT

Im sorry to hear about your situation- I agree it would be good to contact the BVNA legal helpline and get help from your doctor.

If any of us can help and be an ear/shoulder for you just shout. In my experience this forum is a really supportive place and I wouldnt be without it. Its amazing the amount of people that have been through or are going through similar things.

Re: Unsure of what to do

lskm 23 — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:44:33 GMT

Hi, I would seek legal advise and also get the notes/letters from doctor. How long have you been at the practice (understand if you don't want to say).

From a health and safety point of view this should be dealt with as we should be given help when we ask.

Try to keep your chin up as best you can as some people out there feed on people being down.

Take care xx

Re: Unsure of what to do

Vicky RVN — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:05:44 GMT

If i were you i'd seek legal advice...good luck with it xxx

Re: Unsure of what to do

Jemima 13 — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:50:48 GMT

You poor thing! That's terrible! I know you say you can't leave but you can't stay where you are or you'll have a nervous breakdown! I do know how you feel though because I had that at my previous place...my boos gave me a disciplinary for being off having abdominal surgery (apparently I was faking my pain to have more time off...this was 24 hours post op!)

You could call the BVNA for some advice on how to handle the situation. I think there are some grounds for legal intervention...this is discrimination and harrassment!!

With regard to your injuries, please do not feel under pressure to continue working at your previous level! I had a bad back following an accident and was under pressure to keep working at my normal level (which I did). This lead to me having a month off and now, 3 years later, I'm stuck with it on a permanent basis and spend 80% of the day in some form of pain! It's really not worth it! Give your body time to heal, if they don't like it, get signed off!

Please remember...you work to live...you don't live to work! Keep your chin up! xxx

(Oh - I also found that once I started showing I didn't care what they said and also started defending myself and getting a little more feisty, they developed a little respect for me (and if they fire you, there's always a law suit for unfair dismissal!).)

Re: Unsure of what to do

Steph Phillips — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:14:10 GMT

omg! thats terrible .. why can't you tell someone in a higher position? can't you ring the rcvs and tell them? .. you can't let this go on.. It's obviously not healthy for you - physicaly AND mentally!!

Really really hope you get this sorted xxx

Re: Unsure of what to do

Sal the 1st — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:54:53 GMT

go see your GP and explain what has happened and see if they are able to provide written statement of your injuries. Also if you have any letters for hospital or doctors appointments or appointment cards make sure that you keep them safe and provide your boss with copies of these. If the injury is as a result of lifting at work was this written in the accident book or reported to the person in charge of H+S at your workplace. If your injury was reported and was a result of being asked to carry something which was too heavy for you it might be a good time to point this out to your employer.