How to tell employer

[EssexBoy]

Following an item on Radio 4 this morning, and my girlfriend having told me about my gasping for air during sleep, it seems I have sleep apnea. I've done lot's of reading today and some online quizzes to confirm. I'm booked to see my GP on Friday morning.

This is a huge relief - I thought my tiredness and nodding off was just part of the growing old process (although I'm only 42).

Problem: My work has suffered a lot in recent years. Inability to concentrate, forgetting things, arriving late, low productivity, have resulted in a First Written Warning (1st step on the road to dismissal). I have appealed the written warning on a technicality and expect the result of the appeal very shortly. I expect that the targets set in the original warning will be modified.

However, I should tell my employer (a large firm - no union) about my condition. But reading other posts on here, it seems that it could take months to get an official diagnosis. I'm concerned that by mentioning it to my employer now, it will seem to them that I am just trying to wrangle out of the written warning with some cock n bull story about snoring.

My employer provides a confidential counselling service, health care (CIGNA), and occupational health assessments. I'd appreciate views on what to do next - and whether today's NHS (Essex) or CIGNA (via Bupa hospitals mainly) can do a quicker assessment and diagnosis than the "years" some people have had to wait.

Many thanks,

James

[gvader]

Hi James,

Dead easy! If you have company provided private healthcare then phone them and check that they cover the cost of tests, mine was with NU and they cover all testing up until the point of diagnosis and BUPA are the same. Tell your GP thatyou want the referral done privately and you should then avoid the possible delays. Once the sleep clinic had diagnosed you then advise them that you no longer wish to be seen privately but under the NHS.

This is the process I used, my total cost was the £100 deductable from the private healthcare policy. I was referred to the sleep clinic by my GP in late October last year, seen by the consultant and had my sleep study done in November. Results arrived when I was on holiday in early December and I was set up on CPAP at the start of January.

[ChrisP]

Hi James,
I had a similar set up with private health care from work.
My GP referred me to a BUPA specialist and I got an appointment the next week. NHS would have been at least 3 months in this neck of the woods (Hampshire).
On the down side I had to buy my machine privately as it would have been ages to get an NHS one but in hind sight it was £450 well spent as I received it a couple of days later. A wait could have resulted in my driving license being suspended.
It will be an interesting couple of weeks for you but be assured you will be amazed at the difference it makes.
The onset is so slow and gradual that you don't notice things falling apart such as work and home life.
Good luck with it and don't be afraid to ask questions either here or to your health care professionals.
Regards
Chris

[EssexBoy]

Many thanks for the responses. I'm seeing my GP in the morning. I spoke to the BUPA counselling service at work and they helped put my mind at rest. I then spoke to the head of HR at work and luckily (for me) her mother has sleep apnea so she understood fully!