Bad Day

Re: Bad Day

A Little TLC — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:43:01 GMT

[quote user="rachel w"]

Just got back from another doctors appt (feel like i live there at the mo) been diagnoised with carpal tunnel in my left wrist, been given one of the new fit for work certs stating that i'm allowed to work but not allowed to lift anything heavy, hvn didnt really know what to do with the cert as i'm the first one to have one of these.

Got an appt with an orthopedic surgeon nxt month but til then have to wear a splint not only to work but to bed as well (need to go get another one cos cant bear wearing the one i wear to work at home) been given the option of steriod inj into my wrist but my doc reccomended that i wait to see what the orthopedic guy says.

Hoping that now i have one of these new certs my boss will take my injury seriously and stop giving me evils and the silent treatment which i feel is worse than a telling off

[/quote]

My friedn has just had this op on both wrists poor love.

Re: Bad Day

rachel w — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:01:55 GMT

We are lucky where i work that our nursing team are open to swapping and covering each other i cover when other people are sick and they do the same in return we are a close team who know when others are struggling and cover where needed, we are told that if an on call is to be covered sue to sickness then it is swapped or the nurse covering can charge the practice extra its at our choice. we are quiet a accident prone sicky team so there is always one of us that needs an extra hand or cover so we do were needed

I'v been in work all wk wearing my splint and been covering my normal area on prep this wk and all the extra help i'v needed is carrying dogs to and from theatre, been at branch practice all day today 5ops of rabbits and cats which i can do although admittedly i'v prob done a little to much as am now starting to ache but on recp tomorrow so will be resting it then.

My boss is still waiting to chat but i think he's seen that i'm getting on with things and doing what i can thre is certainly no need to get a locum in to cover and tbh their to worried about money to do that, i'v got one on call nxt wk then none for 5wks so pointless swapping.

I think being signed off would drive me crazy because i can still use both arms i just cant lift dogs i can do pretty much everything else and i am the cat nurse at work so do v little with dogs anyway, i can still do blds, ga's and most kennel work so just get on with it and call for help when needed, if anything we are overstaffed at the moment so there is no trouble getting an extra hand.

Re: Bad Day

Jemima 13 — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:07:33 GMT

Although I'm trying to see your boss's point of view, I'm failing to see it due to the childish behaviour he's showing. As your boss he should sit down and have a discussion with you not give you evils and silent treatment...how totally pathetic and unprofessional!

I had 5 years of living above my last practice and it was hell! I got called out when I wasn't on call, had the boss knocking on my door and phoning me when I was off sick...to the point that she actually accused me of bunking off the day after I'd had abdominal surgery because I wasn't back at work.

I think you should take the adult approach and ask for a meeting with him and your hvn. Explain the situation and that you are happy to stay at work and don't want to be signed off but they need to understand you're restricted and if push comes to shove you will get signed off!

Good luck!!!

Re: Bad Day

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:48:08 GMT

I agree with Sal, re the earache from other staff members.... plus If I were you, rather than suffering the silent treatment you are getting, maybe ask him for a chat... he may well not know the extent of your problem, and might be getting it second hand from disgruntled workmates. Have a chat and put him in the picture.

On another note..... I have had a numb fingertip for a few months now, initially it started with a shooting pain down that finger, and numbness for a min or 2. This only happened when I would try to grab something or reach out for it... now I dont get the shooting pain, but my finger is permanantly numb. I have a ref for an orthopod, as my Doc thought it might be carpal tunnel, but my symptoms dont sound like the posters! ie my pain went down my finger rather than shooting up my arm.... anyway sorry for the extended story folks

Re: Bad Day

Sal the 1st — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:34:11 GMT

has anybody thought that it might not just be the boss? I know people cannot help being ill or getting injured but injuries and illness can affect other members of staff quite severely sometimes. Is there any possibility that some of your colleagues are not happy at having to provide extra cover or being swapped around to cover different duties - if this problem does exist then I can see where the boss might be less than happy, especially if they are getting earache from other staff members.

another point to consider is that while you are at work only able to work in a limited capacity the chances are you are still getting paid for less than a full job. I appreciate it is frustrating and upsetting but sometimes you just have to take a step back and look at the situation from somebody elses perspective. If you were not at work maybe it would be viable to employ a locum to cover your work but with you still going into work the chances of that are more remote because then that is two people who need paying to complete one job.

as already mentioned insurance can be a problem as well.

Has a risk assessment been carried out?

I wish you well and hope things are soon improved for you and I am not taking sides at all - just pointing out some possibilities

Re: Bad Day

louise170388 — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:15:07 GMT

God people like your boss make me angry . . There is nothin he can do to jeapordise your job anyways, all he can do is make you feel bad by giving you the dirty looks etc. . which as much as it is horrible to work with people like that you can only grit your teeth and bare it. But im sure if it is making you feel too bad you can report him anyway? he is making you feel unhappy and victimising you because of a health problem (as if you werent already feeling bad for all the messing about it has caused you).

Don't let him bully you and talk to your colleagues if it helps at least then they will have an idea how you are feeling. . Like other people have said - he should be grateful you are even working with a condition like that!!

Re: Bad Day

Leanne Tyreman-Guest — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:36:56 GMT

I hope you get sorted very soon,I have this condition bilaterally, I have had cortisone injections to help but it can affect the grip, and dexterity in the hand, it would be worth aking the orthopod for nerve conduction tests as this gives you details of how bad the carpal tunnel is, this will help you decide what way to go with your treatment options!!

Hope your boss sees that you ARE trying!! If you have any more issues either ring ACAS or if you are a BVNA member give the industrial relations helpline a call, the ladies over there are great!!

Re: Bad Day

Vicky RVN — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:52:19 GMT

I hope your boss bucks his ideas up soon and that the orthopod can help you x

Re: Bad Day

rachel w — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 21:01:27 GMT

thing is he seems to think that everyone is like him and his wife she got pulled by a horse the other week her arm ended up in sling and still worked dont think he gets that my health is my job if my arm is permenantly damaged then how can i work.

I'm off til tues so resting up til then trying to sleep in a splint is very difficult keep waking and trying to take it off and its hot in it too got pain relief gel off the doc too so hoping that it starts to help soon

Re: Bad Day

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:02:00 GMT

[quote user="rachel w"]

Hoping that now i have one of these new certs my boss will take my injury seriously and stop giving me evils and the silent treatment which i feel is worse than a telling off

[/quote]

Your (excuse for a) boss needs a severe reality check into the 21st century!!!

Obviously he/she doesnt realise that a certification from a doctor is actually real.

One question to ask yourself, would he be happy if his wife/daughter/mother was treated by their boss in such a way??

Re: Bad Day

rachel w — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:50:21 GMT

Hoping that now i have one of these new certs my boss will take my injury seriously and stop giving me evils and the silent treatment which i feel is worse than a telling off

Re: Bad Day

Phrin Vernon RVN — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:48:28 GMT

[quote user="dinkyd"]

Hi also another way to look at it is if your docter deems you unfit to work and wants to sign you off but you ignore this and still go to work .......

[/quote]

I'm not 100% sure, but after being signed off sick once, many moons ago, I felt better before the sick note had ended and wanted to go back to work. The PM however wouldn't let me - I think it had something to do with invalidating the insurance?

I really can't remember the ins and outs, but it does sound as if you need to take some time off to heal. If the doc had advised a sick note then take it! They advise them for a reason!

Hope you are feeling better soon x

Re: Bad Day

dinkyd — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:34:58 GMT

Hi also another way to look at it is if your docter deems you unfit to work and wants to sign you off but you ignore this and still go to work .......Dont really know where you would stand legally.Just a thought.Your boss maybe thinking that if you have chosen to come in you should be fit to work and do your normal duties which you cant and this is why you doc will be wanting to sign you off.You have chosen to not take your docs advice so if it worsens or your boss does decide to take action etc not really sure where you would stand.Its your HVNs job to worry about staff numbers not yours so worry about yourself and your hand!I know you mean well but you may just be making the situation worse by not taking docs advice not just your health wise but also your work wise.

Also did your HVN not explain to your boss what the situation was - she surley must have spoken to him if she knew he wasnt happy and if she did she obvioulsy knows your situation so why couldnt you have been rota'd somewhere within the practice that you could work effectively.Sorry but of a rant but im upset for you that you dont seem to be getting much support!

Anyway my point is get signed off if your docis wanting you not to work and then legally you are also keeping yourself right.

Re: Bad Day

Saskia Quinn — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:32:37 GMT

[quote user="rachel w"]

although i will then just sit and feel guilty about everyone else covering me,

[/quote]

Rachel,

you remind me so much of myself - but you know what I say - forget everyone else this time you concentrate on YOU for a change, they will cope. Do you honestly think if any of the other staff were feeling as sore as you, they would be coming into work?

Your health is more important - do what your doctor says and use the time to have a rest. Easy for me to say, I know - but look after number one

Re: Bad Day

rachel w — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:28:54 GMT

I managed to avoid my boss all day, thankfully cos i'm still pissed off at his attidude towards me anyway, got another doctors appointment on friday (earliest they could fit me in) so hoping that he does sign me off although i will then just sit and feel guilty about everyone else covering me, think i have now trapped a nerve in my wrist cos everytime i put pressure on it i get shooting pains up my arm.

On a happy note my boss is off til friday now so can work tomorrrow safe in the knowledge that he wont come along and shout at me

Re: Bad Day

Vicky RVN — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:10:00 GMT

I hope today was ok for you.

Re: Bad Day

Saskia Quinn — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:35:48 GMT

I agree with the others.

Plus, if your boss is going to act all silly about it - then just do what your doctor has told you - and get signed off work. They should be thankful you made the effort to come in.

And, take a colleague with you tomorrow to the meeting - by law, you are entitled to. Good luck

Re: Bad Day

dinkyd — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:41:07 GMT

Hi hun what a numpty!Think you should go get signed off as your doc has offered to.If you dont want to then at least take someone into meeting with you as you are entitled to do so.

Re: Bad Day

lskm 23 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:08:48 GMT

hope all seems better tomorrow and that he has got over his Man PMT by the time you talk. Might be better for you to approach him that way he cant catch you of gaurd, what do others think. I seem to stay calmer in these situation when I am the one who has done the approaching

Re: Bad Day

lskm 23 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:07:46 GMT

[quote user="Kerry 'kezzathecat' Haigh RVN"]

What is he angry about?? If you can't do anything strenuous he should be glad that you have turned up at all!!

[/quote]

exactly!

Re: Bad Day

Kim Buckley — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:07:29 GMT

Hope it goes ok!

Re: Bad Day

Kerry Spain — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:55:07 GMT

What is he angry about?? If you can't do anything strenuous he should be glad that you have turned up at all!!

Some people are hard to please

Re: Bad Day

Polly P — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:46:13 GMT

Ooh yuck, good luck tomorrow.

I agree with writing things down.

It's a fine line between leaving time so both parties can calm down, and having to stew on it all overnight.

Re: Bad Day

Busy bee — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:10:00 GMT

Poor you! Now you have to worry about it overnight! Anyway, you shouldn't have to worry you have done nothing wrong - from what you have written it sounds as though you are taken for granted. Take some deep breaths and count to ten before saying anything you may regret tomorrow.

I hope you get on ok keep us posted

Re: Bad Day

rachel w — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:01:38 GMT

Thank you, was late back from branch practice (a little bit of avoidance) and he had left so got the joy of it tomorrow, just txt my hvn and she said hes calmed down a little so i#m hoping that by tomorrow he wont yell as much, aaaagggghhh