Our Guest Expert was
HR Consultant and Employment Expert (and Group Member) Tracey Hudson
“Keeping on the level: Living well with long-term health conditions.”

Links to watch the full meeting video are at the bottom of this page
Introduction Where we clarified some guiding principles of the group and our meetings. Confidentiality – As a support group, we encourage all to speak openly about what issues that they face, but as such we ask everyone to respect everyone’s privacy and keep confidential any specific personal matters that are supplied during our meetings We are not doctors – We are not medically trained or qualified, so we will never seek to advise on treatments or medical matters. Whatever advice or personal experiences are shared, everyone should always consult with their own medical and healthcare experts for the best medical care and advice. We are not a charity – We are not a registered charity, we handle no money, we have no money. We are just people helping people. Where we require money to fund leaflets or posters, we approach local companies for them to buy on our behalf. Positive Only – We are a support group, with the emphasis being upon support, so we encourage everyone to seek the positive in what we discuss, in our members situations and our overall attitude to our mutual challenges. Let us always try to find solutions rather than be dragged down by the problems, and let us always give encouragement and hope to each other. Tolerance & Friendship – The group is for everyone, and we can all seek different things from belonging to this group, but at the very least I hope we will all find some degree of friendship and comfort from meeting and knowing our fellow members. Let us all be tolerant of differences and respect that balance disorders come in many flavours and affect any person in any walk of life and at any age – so we of all groups, should acknowledge and celebrate the variety and differences in our members. Charity Support – The group is supported by the Menieres Society and VeDA as an official support group listed by both of their web sites. We support both charities in their good work for all things related to balance issues.
“Employment & Balance Conditions”
As a support group we have encountered many examples of discrimination, unfair dismissal and simply employer ignorance of how they can work together with their loyal employees, at a time when help, understanding and support is most needed. At this special one off meeting, we hope to provide useful information for members, (that can be also passed on to their employees), on best practice during this challenging time in anyone’s career.
Tracey’s excellent presentation, covers all the essentials – “What you need to know” and “What you need to do” when a balance condition starts to impact upon your job and employment.
This is also useful information for any employers who are encountering for the first time an employee with a Balance illness or hidden disability. We urge all Employers and Employees with these conditions to ensure the very best of communication and collaboration together to create safe and productive employment for all. UK employment law and the UK disability discrimination Acts will apply to many employees with a serious and chronic balance condition, and as such, should an employer be found to have unfairly dismissed their employee they could be liable for unlimited damages against them. This provides a good commercial incentive for all employers to “do the right thing” and ensure positive and common sense behaviour when illness impacts upon any of their employees.
This is a “must see video” for anyone in employment with any type of balance condition, so please do share it with anyone who may benefit from seeing this video. See video links below.
There is More to Come ……..
Dedicated Employment Web section
We will soon publish a page on our web site dedicated to Employment issues, and we will then invite members to share with us (anonymously) their own experiences (both good and bad ) regarding employment and their own balance condition. This we hope, with Traceys help will become a key resource for anyone concerned about their own employment situation,
Downloadable “Balance Conditions in the Workplace” Fact card
Again Tracey has agreed to help create a balance first, with a fact card that can be either printed off or shared digitally, that will explain to both work colleagues and employers the typical issues faced with the onset of a balance condition illness. This will cover suggested best practice for both Employer and Employee, and a reminder of the UK legal framework that all good employers will want to adhere to . It is hoped that this can be an ideal way for members to start a conversation at work, and be able to rely upon an independent body to help suggest a way forward.
One To One Expert Help for members with Employment issues
Tracey has kindly agreed to help fellow members who are encountering problems at work. Whilst she cannot give specific advice or act on any member behalf, she will be able to offer good guidance on possible options and where specific help can be found. When facing both the stress of a balance condition and concerns over the future of your income, we hope this service will be of great help when ever it is needed. Contact kevin@lifeonthelevel.org to request this assistance. Thank you again to Tracey Hudson, for all of her work on the above and such a well delivered presentation for ourselves and the wider balance community.
Watch the full meeting now on Face Book or Zoom
Click here to watch on Facebook
Please come and join our group if you feel we can help and don’t wish to face your challenges alone. You are very very welcome.