EnableMe | enableme - stroke recovery and support

Following on from my last blog, there is a "what happened next." So here is part 2:

Seeing as how many of my (former) colleagues live in the local area as well as people I dealt with at the Catholic Education Department (CEDP), and may read the article, I only thought it right that I should speak to someone at CEDP and let them know, even though the article doesn't name the school or the system I worked in. In speaking with the media department, it occurred to me that I should probably address the issues with HR so that future issues are dealt with more compassionately. The head of media took my details and said he would get someone from HR to call me.

Later that evening, I got a phone call from none other than the deputy director of CEDP! (Side note: this lady went to school with my Mum and was the principal at my primary school. I also bumped into her at the supermarket the previous week as she had recently moved in to my neighbourhood!).

A meeting was duly arranged to discuss matters and it is here I need to go back a few years to 2013 when I originally had my stroke.

After having my TIA and stroke, doing all my therapy etc., my sick leave was running out and decisions had to be made about my future. I wanted to return to my job, either part time or as a casual. Meetings were arranged with HR, I was sent for a neuropsychological assessment and another meeting was arranged. While the neuropsych couldn't see a reason to prevent me working, she did recommend additional support. At the meeting I was given two options: return to teaching full time or resign. I asked why I couldn't come back part-time and was told that wasn't the way things were done (additional note: I'd been a full time employee for 8 years...). I was also told that it would be unfair to the person doing my job if I decided half way through the year that I wanted to increase my days or return full-time. I was also told that if I wanted a part-time position I would need to resign and apply for part-time jobs. So with no choice, I returned full time less than a year after my stroke (Big mistake. Huge!)

(Now you're up to date with the basics, let's continue...)

When I met with the deputy director and explained the whole story I got an unreserved and complete apology. She was horrified and disgusted that such matters had been dealt with so dispassionately. She told me I was absolutely within my rights to seek a temporary change in my employment status to work part-time. The rights of the person doing my job had no part in the matter. And again, I should have been monitored in the years following my return to ensure I was coping with everything. Maybe had this happened I would not have ended up resigning.

HR had changed significantly in the intervening years and people were dealt with more compassionately and appropriately than in previous years. And while I don't want anything out of this, I do want to ensure that other people aren't treated in a similar fashion. I couldn't speak up for myself back then, and now I can, so I am.

My case is going to be reported properly, and measures checked to ensure that this doesn't happen again.

So a positive outcome for everyone, a long time in coming but it's here now and that's all that matters.

Oh Kat - that is superbly wirtten and managed!! You go girl :-)

Katrina, that is such great news. I worked as a primary teacher in the public sector and when I tried returning to work, about 12 weeks after my stroke, all the 'right' noises were made before my return but the actions on return were terrible. Luckily I had checked my emails on teh weekend as my performance review was scheduled for 9am on the Monday of my return. I then had to sit there and listen to being told I hadn;t completed work that was expected of my position etc.
Long story short I ende up been assessed as never being able to work but I was glad that got the chance to try and see for myself that I couldn;t do it.
Toni

I need to add another "and then what happened was...":

I got a message on Monday thanking me for having the courage to come forward and telling me that they are reviewing their policies and practice. As well as this my experience and my coming forward are helping them work better with another staff member going through a similar situation. So I feel like I've achieved something and put something positive into the world.