My husband has worked for his current employer about 7 years and was diagnosed with arthritis approx 3-4 years ago. He suffers with pain in both ankles and knees and the wrist and elbow of his left arm – he is right handed so although painful doesn’t affect his job too greatly.
He currently gets 3-4 attacks a year, mainly in the winter months, which prevent him from working for between 2 and 5 days – depending on the severity of the attack and which joint is affected.
The pain is at its severist for the first couple of days and then it gradually eases. He would like to use his holiday entitlement to cover these first few days and then work, sometimes with lighter duties until the pain has subsided altogether.
His boss, the owner of the business, is becoming increasingly difficult and is refusing to let him take holidays, he verbally agrees and then when pay day arrives he will have deducted money for sick leave – the company only pay SSP so first three days are non paid.
He is flexible to a degree about lighter duties but he does try and push him to do his full job before he is fully fit.
Do any members have similar experiences or advice that they are willing to share with me?
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated as arthritis doesn’t go away, it just gets worse.
Katy
