Hi everyone, thought I would touch base with the forum again given that I have not spoken on here for a wee while now. Still doing okay I think but my back pain is increasing and glad now that my GP has finally prescribed Gabapentin which apart from helping with the pain, also helps control seizures. Although I do take Lamotragine for my epilepsy, the Doctor thought it would not really affect it if I was to take it as well. So far, the pain has subsided quite a lot . Workwise, im trying to get my shifts changed to an earlier finish time as guess what, I am moving again. This time to a small village in Greenock called Branchton. Work is not playing ball saying they cant accommodate an earlier finish as they need staff at the end of the night to close the shop. Ive tried applying for a transfer but you still need to go for a job interview for exactly the same job you are doing which I can never understand. There is a position that would suit me down to the ground but I would have to give up my permanent job to move to a temporary job with no guarantee of an extension. Other option is medical retirement which would at least mean that I may be able to get my retirement savings paid out. All I need is a lower hours due to transport difficulties from my new house, a seat for the till area and avoiding the heavy lifting aspect of shelf replenishment, only perhaps dealing with the lighter loads . Just feeling low at the moment at the thought of maybe giving up another job. Some days I just want to scream and that is not helping in the house with my wife and step-daughter. Anyhow, thats the latest on myself. Speak soon. Joe x
Great hearing from you buddy.. and thanks for updating us with how you’re doing. Sorry to hear you’re where you are especially with work not playing ball.. I only know too well how frustrating it is to manage a job as well as looking after yourself and managing your health and on top of that a house move too.
It’s been great hearing all your volunteering projects and again congratulations with your award.. much deserved. Any plans for the summer?
No, nothing planned for the summer. Going on holiday in October to Majorca .Volunteering has stopped atm for me. Glasgow is in the midst of their 850 year celebrations so do the odd bit there but nothing on the scale of when I lived in London.
Hi, just to update you all. I am now retiring from my job at Tesco. They would not provide me with a chair for when I am on checkouts or allow me to do an earlier shift . I’ve actually been off for two months with back pain . Applied for over 10 transfers to other stores and. been rejected for all of them. Sick of feeling under valued . During the Pandemic , I was the goto person to stand in as Duty Manager for shifts at many of the stores in Glasgow and Lanarkshire . Asked to retrain when I rejoined but always been told to wait . Time to look after myself and enjoy life , hobbies and volunteering. Also not forgetting looking after myself wife and stepdaughter . Love them both .
That sounds remarkably ungrateful of Tesco @Jbeaver12 They should at least be willing to make reasonable adjustments for any health issues by law. i hope that the future brings you better things. Let us know how you get on.
Hi everyone, thought I would update you. Yes, Tesco still would not back down over the chair being provided so, I have opted to retire. Even with painkillers, the pain is not totally gone My Doctor is filling out my report so that I can access my Retirement Savings through my Pension Provider. I’m taking the lot and redecorating my house. What bugs me is that I was in a City Centre Tesco a couple of days ago and the assistant had a chair behind the tills. I mentioned this to my Store Manager and all she said was they probably did it on their own as its not authorised at all.
Being retired wont stop me doing things, you all know of my love of volunteering . Im still doing bits and pieces for Leukaemia UK and hopefully now, tap into any opportunities with Blood Cancer UK and get our voices heard. Plenty of major events coming up as well, so plenty of mischief to cause. Also, I think I have mentioned, I am conducting one of the choirs at my local church which has made me think should I start playing my keyboards again, maybe another instrument.
Thinking back to my previous employer to Tesco which was Serco. Compare what they done for me during my initial illness to what Tesco did for me which was nothing. Serco, looked after me, offered easier shifts, rest periods, change of dutes and the option of sitting where possible, and the backing of your supervisors I really miss working in the Detention Centre but it still has its good memories for me to remember. Photography is also a hobby so thinking about learning more about this art and perhaps starting a wee business.
Just so many things to think about . Will keep you all updated.
Love you all. Joe xx
Also, my holiday to Majorca fell through as the tour operator did not book an accessible room for my wee family. Sill, they did manage to find an alternative, we fly out to Turkey on Thursday evening to a 4 star all inclusive resort with accessibility, ps, the accessibility was not for me although it does help a bit, my lovely wife is disabled and uses a wheelchair.
Hi @Jbeaver12 have a brilliant time in Turkey and take time choosing which instrument to master.