Hi All,
I'm so sorry this post is so long, I'm really struggling with my mental health about it all.
I worked for a care organisation for 4.5 years. I started in the pandemic. I have had my disability since I was 23 and when I started didn't need adjustments to do my job. However as COVID took hold, I noticed my arthritis getting worse, I kept getting chest pain after working with Covid patients and kept asking for Fit Mask protection, explaining that my mobility was getting worse, my lungs were hurting, I had a letter from my GP, letter from Occupational Health advising my employers to help me. I sent 13 emails asking for help, it was all ignored. Other agency nurses had their wishes respected and were prevented from working with Covid patients because their partners were vulnerable, but I was ignored, time and time again.
The last time I caught COVID at a hospital from saving a dad from falling out of bed, I have never been able to walk like before since, with Arthritis now in both knees and hands. I tried to continue to work but I even had patients screaming at me saying I shouldn't be working if I walked like I did. Then the staff put a note on my van to tell me not to park in the visitors car park which was closer, even though I had already asked for adjustments.
It is in Tribunal proceedings and my employer is saying that I didn't have a disability when I started, but they admit that I disclosed that I had one. They are saying that I don't have a case and are trying to strike it out or ask me to pay £1000 to continue in the form of a deposit order.
Surely they had a Duty of Care to listen to my concerns, and at least try to get Fit Mask protection? Especially after Occupational Health recommended it?
Secondly I also made Protected Disclosures. I never received a reply, or support causing me a huge amount of stress and anxiety. Only after the staff made a false accusation about my work did HR finally decide to speak to me, some 9 months later, after 8 more emails raising concerns. It's given me nightmares, panic attacks now in current jobs that I've tried to do, and horrendous flashbacks from it all. I have now been diagnosed with PTSD.
The other side is adamant I don't have a case. I strongly believe that I do and that I should have been protected from retaliation after making Protected Disclosures.
Can anyone please give me some fair advice please? I'm so scared but feel that I should continue to try to stand up for myself stand for the patients too.
Thanks so much to anyone who's taking the time to read this 🙏
