Transcript of DRAFT PodcastODCASTonONretaining a newly disabled employee.RETAINING A NEWLY DISABLED EMPLOYEE
Preamble
The RNIB report Vocational rehabilitation[name] makes a clear social, business and financial case for retention of newly disabled employees wherever possible. This pod-cast gives the listener an insight into how to successfully manage this important conversation.
The pod-cast is a phone conversation between Adam who is 30 working as a section leader of a business team at a Bank and his line manager Susan. Adam has recently been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
For more information on Crohn’s see
For the Link to RNIB report see
[here]
Susan
Hello Adam, thanks for speaking on the phone to me today, as you’ve been away on sick leave for quite some time and I thought it would be a good idea to update you with how things have been here, recent developments here at the bank, that sort of thing and also find out how you are and what I can do you help. Is that OK?
Adam
AYeah, sure Susan, that fine, um, I appreciate the chance to talk, I have felt a bit lonely over the last few months being out of circulation, stuck at home you know.
Susan
SI heard form HR that you were hospitalised for some weeks too, that was a bit a shock for us to hear; we were worried about you, but are you OK and over all that now?
Adam
AWell, yes I’m better today but……
Susan
SGreat news Adam, that is good, so you’re coming back to work soon?
Adam
AWell yes, I hope so very soon but, well, look there is no easy way to do this but I’ve got something to tell you and I’m worried about what this is going to mean for me.
Susan
SWhat is it Adam? I want to help and of course, anything you tell me goes no further.
Adam
AI feel embarrassed about this and I’m worried about what people will think of me but I’ve been diagnosed with Crohn’s diseases, it means my life has changed from what it was before. There is no curebut the medication helps and I’m determined to lead a full life. I want to come back to work and it’s the coming back to work that I’m worried about.
Susan
SCrohns? I’m sorry I don’t really know what that is but..
Adam
AIt’s a bowel disease…I can tell you more but I feel a bit embarrassed, well, I feel very worried about telling people about this
Susan
SLook Adam, I can hear this is very difficult for you and I appreciate you taking me into your confidence but you don’t have to tell me things you don’t want to at the moment, right now I’d much rather we talked about the sorts of things I can do to get you back to work doing the job you do well.
Adam
ADo you really mean that?
Susan
SYes, I do. I see you and all colleagues as investments towards the success of our business; the bank thinks the same, we would be silly to throw away all your skills and expertise.
Adam
AI’m worried that people will think I’m getting extra help and that not fair. I’m worried that colleagues will pity me or laugh at me when I have to keep running to the toilet…. and I don’t want any of that.
Susan
SManaging the return to work with colleagues is a really important issue and we can deal with this together, let’s hold onto this and think of other sorts of things I can do to get you back into your job. Do you have any ideas?
Adam
AOK yes well, could I have my desk near the corridor to the bathroom?
Susan
SSure, easily done.
Adam
AAnd can we look to change the shape of my working day?
Susan
SYes we can, we do have a flexible working policy at the bank, but we would need to talk about this in more detail, do you agree because we need to ensure the smooth running of your section.
Adam
AYes I do and that sound helpful, thanks, you see my symptoms are at their worst first thing in the morning, so getting in for 9 every day would be difficult.
Susan
SI can see that, look provided you can let me know if your arrival time is going to be different then I can’t see any problem because I can ensure the section is working well and any commitments covered.
Adam
AHaving some flexibility in working hours would also help with another effect of my condition.,which is severe fatigue. There may be times when I need to rest
Susan
SWell, you know the business needs the work being done on time but within that I’m sure we can explore options around sometimes working at home or taking breaks during the day if its just a short period of fatigue your experiencing.
Adam
AI can’t believe how understand you are to this. I’m giving you problems and you’re dealing with them fairly and with my interests at heart
Susan
SYes, thanks but it’s my job and I’m also ensuring the interests of the business are being met too by retaining a skilled and valued employee – you!
Adam
AWell, I’m feeling more positive than I have for some time about coming back but my biggest concern is the likely reaction of the staff and colleagues, I don’t want to be seen as a “special case”
Susan
SHow do you mean, “special case”?
Adam
AWell, my illness is not visible, I’m not in a wheelchair and I have been told that I’m likely to have periods of remission when my symptoms will be much less severe. I’m deeply concerned that people will think I’m lazy and not pulling my weight. I’m not sure I want colleagues to know about my disability. I’m worried I might be bullied or harassed because of my disability.
Susan
SI understand what you’re saying, I know we don’t want to think the worst about our colleagues but at the same time we must be realistic and some people can be hurtful. But let me tell you how I see this, firstly you do not have to let colleagues know details or disclose your disability. This is in your hands, you control when and if you tell your colleagues.
From my end secondly, I would say to colleagues who ask, that you have a disability and the bank have made reasonable adjustments as we are required to do and as we would want to do in order to retain colleagues in the workplace.
Adam
ADo you think I should tell colleagues I have Crohns?
Susan
SOnly you can answer that. All our colleagues from the new recruits right up to the Chief Executive have been trained in equality and our anti -harassment policy and so should treat you with dignity. Remember we have other colleagues who have disabilities in all levels of the business,but there is no rush.
Adam
AThanks Susan, that’s very reassuring
Susan
SAlso Adam, don’t forget our HR team as well as your trade union who can provide further confidential help and support to enable you to ease back into work
Adam
AYes, and thanks, will you tell HR?
Susan
Sif you want me to, I will send them a narrative of this phone call but only after you’ve seen it and agreed to it
Adam
AOh, that’s good, so what next?
Susan
SLets review where we are. I’m going to do three things; I’m going to arrange when ready to reposition your workstation nearer the bathroom for ease of access, I’m going to review the early morning work schedule you have with a view to restructuring it so arriving at 9 o clock is no longer essential and I’ll discuss with our IT team fa system to allow you to work from home to take into account periods of fatigue.
Adam
AGreat
Susan
SAnd from your end, you’ll give some thought to handling your disability with colleagues and how we should manage your new working environment
Adam
AThat’s excellent Susan; I’ll see my GP about a date to sign me ready for work. I’ll speak to you soon
Susan
SOK, see you soon. Bye.