Hi, my name is ArchieBald! I am currently working but struggling with my work

ArchieBald

I am currently working but struggling with my work as I have been told I need a knee replacement but to hold this off for as long as I can as I am considered to be too young. I’m 55 and work full time I’m not sure what my options would be if I can’t work much longer 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @ArchieBald

Welcome to the community! I'm so sorry to hear you are finding your upcoming surgery difficult. I would say, if you need it done, you need it done. I hope you are getting support from the medical side of your situation? 

With options and working. I would use one of the GOV website benefit calculators to see what you would be able to claim. At Scope, if you are in England or Wales, have a brilliant employment support services too. So after your operation if you feel you want to go back to work and are able. I'd encourage you to reach out to them

ArchieBald

Thank you that’s really helpful 

sarahbadr

Hi @ArchieBald, is your work something you would be able to do from home? If so and you would be more comfortable working from home you could request this as a reasonable adjustment or you could ask for a temporary or permanent decrease in your working hours to make things more manageable. If you have to take time off for surgery, you should be entitled to sick pay, which would allow you to recover and recuperate before returning to work. If your work is manual and not something you would be able to do from home, perhaps you could think about other careers that may be of interest. If you need training for your chosen career you may be able to access funding for this.

sarahbadr

More info on training opportunities here: https://skillsforlife.campaign.gov.uk/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=AdultSkills23_202307_0_All&gclid=CjwKCAjwjaWoBhAmEiwAXz8DBYDzTpoTm9HUmmGybZiTa4mNk-7feupE5B5qhXbH1_Ijm0H1GLtu0RoC_mMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds, here: https://www.bigissue.com/news/employment/new-career-retrain-job-teacher-plumber-counsellor/ and here: https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/ways-to-retrain-for-new-career

sarahbadr

Also, in regards to time off work for your surgery: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/time-off-work/time-off-work-overview/ 

This bit is particularly important:
"If you’re disabled or have a long-term health condition

Your employer must make reasonable adjustments to let you have time off for medical appointments related to your disability or long-term health condition. If they don’t, it might be discrimination." 

And if you would like a new job, maybe check out: https://www.gov.uk/looking-for-work-if-disabled. This includes information on looking for a job when disabled, getting help and programmes and grants to help you into work.

Hope some of this is helpful!

DaveOT

I don't know what type of work you do, but I'd ask to be referred to Occupational Health, to see whether they might recommend any workplace adjustments to make your role easier. Perhaps take out some of the more physically demanding elements of your role. Could they support you with medical redeployment? If your employer is big enough (say a local council), they may have a scheme where you're eligible for retraining into a more sedentary role, and can apply preferentially to advertised jobs before others have a chance to.