If you have Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis – conditions collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – you may be concerned about your employment position. You may be employed or looking for a new job. You may be on benefits and are thinking about returning to work. While IBD is a chronic condition, with appropriate treatment it is often possible to remain well for long periods and many people with IBD are able to work full-time.
This series of articles sets out to answer some questions you may have about your possible options and how you may be protected by law. The quotations that are included are all from people who have IBD who responded to a 2011 Crohn’s and Colitis UK survey on IBD and employment.
What can I do if my employment is no longer suitable?
You may find that having tried changes to your current employment such as altering your working hours, job-sharing, working part-time, or a change of location closer to home, your condition still makes it difficult to continue despite reasonable adjustments. In this case, it is not unusual to feel angry or upset at the impact of IBD on your working life or career. There are various options you could consider including:
• Self-employment – you may feel daunted at the prospect of setting up your own business or worry that you would miss socialising at work. But some advantages are that you can often work the hours to suit your energy levels and, if you can work from home, reduce the fear or possibility of having an ‘accident’ in public.
You can get help and advice about self employment from several organisations including the Citizens Advice Bureau, Leonard Cheshire Disability, the Northern Pinetree Trust and from government schemes such as Access to Work, as mentioned in the previous article.
“As I am self-employed, this gives
me more flexibility than
employment. If I didn’t have IBD
and its symptoms I might have gone
back to employment, but now I
consider self-employment more
suitable.”
• Re-training – you may find that another kind of job makes it possible for you to work more comfortably. There are a number of organisations that offer training such as the Shaw Trust, Ability Net, Leonard Cheshire Disability, and SHARE Community.
Volunteering – if income is not crucial, you might consider voluntary work, which could provide a challenge while allowing you to give something to others. You can contact national volunteering organisations such as Volunteer Now, Volunteer Development Scotland, Volunteering England, Volunteering Wales, or Do It for ideas and opportunities. They each provide an online database of volunteer jobs. Crohn's and Colitis UK also has volunteering opportunities around the UK. For further information contact our Member Involvement and Volunteering Team on 01727 734475 or email: enquiries@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk.
What Financial Help is Available?
If you have care or mobility needs arising from your IBD you may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), whether you are working or not. We provide a Guide to Claiming DLA, or you contact our Information Line for a copy (0845 130 2233).
If you are in employment, your employer should pay Statutory Sick Pay if you are too ill to work. This starts after you have been off sick for 4 days and can be paid for up to 28 weeks. If you are not well enough to return to work after this time, or if your employment is terminated, you may qualify for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Some employers may make additional payments through their own sick pay scheme. This will depend on your terms and conditions of employment.
If you are well enough to look for work you may be eligible for Jobseeker's Allowance. You may also get help and support through schemes available to help people get back into work. For more information contact Jobcentre Plus or see the directgov website.
If you have been on benefits and are going to start a job, you may be able to obtain a job grant. This is a one-off tax free payment.
If you are on a low income or on certain benefits you may be entitled to claim help with fares to hospital through the Health Care Travel Costs Scheme. The scheme allows travel by public transport or private car.
You can get more information about these and other benefits and details of helpful organisations from our guide: An Overview of Welfare Benefits for people with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease.
For further help call the Crohn's and Colitis UK Information Line on 0845 130 2233 open Mon-Fr 10m-1pm or email info@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
For all the information contained in this series of articles, and more, read our Employment and IBD: a guide for employees information leaflet.
No comments:
Post a Comment