Work making me sick.

[Renzokuken]

Ok as some of you may already know I work for DSGI (currys pcworld etc). Currently our store is undergoing a major refit and well over half of the shop is cordoned off, with the other half being used for trading.

 

About 3 weeks ago I started coming down with very small amounts of Eczema, which I've had in limited amounts, occasionaly since I was a child and so thaught nothing of it. Then two weeks ago I woke up to find my eyes were all red, I went to the doctors assuming this was conjunctivitus and they agreed and pescribed me medication for it and I carried on working for another week or so. I returned to the doctors after a week of the medicine not working, and they sent me to A&E, and finaly a day later to an eye specialist. Who coupled with the ever increasing amounts of eczema told me it was an allergy, she perscribed me some eyedrops and I went on my way.

 

So after 4 days off (2 at the doctors, 2 days off) I find my eyes are all better again, and go back to work. After 1 day at work I find myself right back to the way I was when I started, with bright red eyes and eczema, all over my shoulders, back, face, wrist and rear of my legs.

 

After ringing in sick again I recieved a phone call today telling me that my hours are being cut from 39 to 9, due to a rota change basicly reducing me to the minimum they're allowed to give me under my contract, 1 day before I can start claiming sick pay. Is their anything I can do about this? My doctor seems to agree with me that the allergy is caused by something that the builders are producing (dust ect).

[honeybee13]

Hello. Can you tell us what your contract says about sickness absence please?

 

HB

[Renzokuken]

I've never seen a contract so I wouldn't know.

 

Company policy is basicly:

First 3 days are unpaid, then you get time off on company sick pay based on the length of time you've worked for the company with pay being based on your contracted hours. After that you go on statuatory sick pay.

 

Problem is my hours are almost always flexed up, meaning I stand to lose well over 2/3 of my wage from something that isn't really my fault.

[labrat]

unsure if this will help but see attached document

 

although listing 2008/2009 as its creation date it is currently listed on the site as the most recent

Colleague Handbook - DSGi.pdf

[R&J]

I am wondering if there is a potential Personal Injury claim in this, particularly if you have to take time off work.

[Renzokuken]

Bit of an update here, went in to speak to my manager today to find three of them sat in the office. Asked to have a word with one of them and was abruptly told that I'd have to "book an appointment with him", and I "can't just walk in and ask for a chat".

 

In other news, eyes have healed, but I now have blured vision in my right eye that just won't go away, and I'm still covered in very irritating eczema, thats itching so much I'm having trouble sleeping despite me using mosturisers etc.

[papasmurf1cx]

Renzo........ I would write to the head of your HR and explain the problem. Explain that you feel that the renovations are affecting your health. It may be that you are especially sensitive to this but the employer should take you as you are and also ensure that a safe working environment is there for workers and customers. I would also ask your GP to be referred to the local hospital to see if you have allergic problems and to what. That would prove exactly what you are allergic to and then tell your employer. They have to take action. If they do nothing and you lose out there is possibly a claim for loss especially if they are looking to deduct wages. Take the fight to them but try and be reasonable all the way.