Disability "Management" - DDSB style!

I'm sure you all received your email from the superintendent last Friday, waxing eloquent about the Board's newest initiative, an "attendance support program". I will post more about this Grinch-y, Scrooge-ish news this week (and via email to members), and why you should ALL respond with your input (but await our instructions on this!), but today's post is about the other arm of the DDSB's sick day management - the Disability Management Program.


Those who have been sick in recent years, either for a few days or weeks or months, or for a scheduled surgery, or even for bed rest prior to delivering a baby, will likely have encountered or been contacted by staff from the Disability Management department. The important thing to remember - they are NOT your friends! The mandate of the disability management staff is to reduce the number of sick days used by employees by having you return to work as quickly as possible. Can't drive to work? The Board will provide a driver. Can't stand up for any length of time? The Board will provide you with a chair. Sometimes their insistence on your return to work is even in contravention of your doctor's orders.


This is a classic case of where calling us, your union, is in YOUR best interests. If you are not feeling well or are feeling very stressed and believe you need time off - call us before you visit your doctor. We can suggest options that you and your doctor may be unaware of and that your doctor could include in a note supporting sick leave. If you are invited to a meeting with disability management staff and federation representation is offered (as they must do) - say YES. We are there to advocate for you, and YOU only. We make sure that your rights are not violated, that your sick leave benefits are honoured, that your doctor's note is heeded and that you are not forced back to work before you are ready. If you are pregnant and you and your doctor don't believe you can work to full term, call us. There have been many instances over the last few years when pregnant members have tried to be "helpful" in paving the way for their replacement to be hired and have signalled some weeks in advance (even just to their principal) that they will be needing time off at the end of their pregnancy- this news quickly makes its way to the DM department, and the teacher is always given a very hard time. Always call us first before making any inquiries about the use of sick leave.


Remember, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."