Absence review meeting

Well what can I say? It went well.

The meeting was chaired by the Assistant director (NC) of my department and a member of the HR team (SP)

NC asked me how I was and I updated him on my health etc and he read the recommendation by occupational health and he is more them happy to go with their advise (Starting in July, Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2 hours a day)

Then we discussed my current role as I am “floating” no substantial post and I was last “at risk”

The council is running a “talent pool” scheme where people in a “at risk” situation get to look at any new posts coming up and get a first chance; NC leads the panel that reviews this.

Instead of employing new people, the council look to give people in my situation a chance at new posts, after 3 months if they have not been put into a new post then a redundancy package is looked at.

Claire my Union rep said that she felt me going straight into the talent pool after my illness was unfair, and NC & SP agreed! For 6-8 weeks NC is going to look at finding me a little post doing some work for him and to give me a chance to gently get back to work.

So on the whole I think this is a very fair offer by the council.

I was asked if there were any possible future operations and I mentioned my gender reassignment operation which should take place end of this year or early next year.

I felt it best to “mention the elephant” in the room as this would be a possible 8-12 week absence!

Once again NC & SP understood how important this was to me

NC asked did he think I would ever go back to full time work and I answered honestly that I could not answer 100% yes and explained about how my priorities had changed since my illness, the practicalities of my health, for example I did not want to be in a situation where I was working full time, but was so tired to maintain full time house that I could not have any quality of life.

I said I had to see how things went and I think he appreciated my honesty.

I also explained how I felt being back at the council “the trans baggage” overall a very positive meeting.

I think I am on course to leave the council unless something comes up that really interested me, I do think they have treated me with fairness and dignity.

Until I am well enough for my reassignment surgery, I will save money and spend some money on my flat.

I also feel a lot happier inside.