Hi, Im back in shielding land! Had got very stressed on return to work remotely, as all the systems had gone from being paper-based to digital, and as Im a technophobe with very limited knowledge of the high end of Microsoft packages and online meetings and such software, I was out of my depth and struggling, I knew I faced another occ health thing, so emailed my boss to say I would be raising the stress thing with occ health if when they next speak to me. Well the last two days we've had a team online discussion and meeting, and because I had flagged up the concern I found it made it so much easier to raise it again with work colleagues, many of whom I haven't seen face to face for ages, And our confusion has been acknowledged, the boss is reassuring us of individualized training as and when we would like it with her or a colleague and it was such a relief to find that so many of us had similar concerns, I'm still working through lots of issues, but have made the choice now to stand up for myself if I feel Im being unfairly left to navigate stuff which takes me ages as a novice without training, spending hours doing stuff I won't get paid for. Have also emailed HR to ask what they are doing about the occ health interview as it seemed to have slipped their minds, and to ask if the staff counseling service is still available. Wow! having copied in the manager, I got a quick reply, a phone call to book an appointment with a doctor for the Occ Health review, and a promise they would cover me for up to six sessions of counselling to overcome the trauma caused by the circs of my hospital operation (woman died next to me!) I'm not bragging, but as the type who usually puts up and shuts up and carries on, and on, I'm pleasantly surprised that flagging up needs and concerns clearly and directly is far more effective than hinting and making do with an unsatisfactory situation at work. I've gone from thinking I would leave, and give up my last few working years out of fear it was beyond me. to feeling I can do this, and that it's legitimate to ask for help if out of one's depth, especially in such challenging economic times. Wishing all the best to others of you out there who are having a double battle - with cancer and trying to keep your employment on the go if you want to. I can also recommend getting backup from the government's Access to Work scheme if you need equipment or reasonable adjustments along the way. Happy new year all.
