Help quit my job so stressed what next?

eggfried

Hoping someone can advise me.

I've worked for 6 years at a club working in the evenings and cleaning in the mornings, things have been bad for a long time, with the manager been off long term sick (nearly a year) and a relief who only came in for a month.

I have been pressured into working more and more hours as they have no staff and it took me to breaking point I was just sleeping and working and at 57 on my own I just could'nt cope - they kept promising to reduce my hours - stop calling me in and they never did and when they called me in to give a written warning over some errors I just snapped and quit.

Not sure what to do next my daughter has been telling me for months to go and see the doctor as I was obviously depressed and stressed so I may finally go and get checked out but now I'm worried about benefits as I quit - I'm also trying to get straight after previous problems with housing benefit and working tax credit my constantly changing hours not helping either. Oh and I'm pretty sure the committee wanted me out as I have a claim going through for a work accident.

I have run away to stay with my daughter to get away from it all and have an appointment booked with the docs for my return - but where do I stand cos I quit can I justify the quitting through stress?

Any help would be great not sure where to start.

Oldernotwiser

How many hours were you being asked to work?

Welshwoofs

Were they making you work over 48 hours a week? If so you'd have a case against them as a company can only *ask* you to work more then 48hrs, they can't make you (exceptions being doctors, police etc and domestic servants).

eggfried

Was working between 30 and 38 hours but this was evenings and mornings and some afternoons and having to walk to work sometimes 3 times a day at over a mile each way.

viktory

eggfried wrote: »

Was working between 30 and 38 hours but this was evenings and mornings and some afternoons and having to walk to work sometimes 3 times a day at over a mile each way.

So not unreasonable hours - and surely the fact that you had to walk was not your employers fault?

You should have dealt with the issues you had with your employment instead of walking away from your job. Sounds like you are looking for excuses to avoid being sanctioned. I suspect you will be sanctioned - this can mean up to 26 weeks with no benefits.

Oldernotwiser

I don't really see that you can claim for being stressed for working excessive hours when you were often only working part time! A twenty minute walk to work is nothing to complain about and excercise is actually good for stress.

It sounds to me as if you're trying to claim for stress because you know you're likely to be sanctioned from receiving JSA because you left your job voluntarily.

bestpud

I agree.

You did not visit your GP before and I cannot understand why you are in no hurry to do so now?

Surely, if you are depressed and wish to use this to claim benefits, you will want to seek medical advice asap?

When you complained to your employers, did you do so in writing? Or do you have any other evidence to show they have not treated you fairly?

I cannot see how you can argue excessive working hours either.

The only claim you could possibly make is they didn't act once they knew you were ill, but without medical evidence, or a paper trail...?

JCP will contact them to ask their side, if you try and claim benefits. What are they likely to say, do you think?

One note though:

You may well receive a sanction, but don't hold of claiming, because the sanction starts from the time you claim, even if that were in 6 months time. A few people have been caught out thinking they will receive money straight away of they leave it 6 months!

Ellie67

If a job is stressful, then it's stressful, end off. Obviously, the strange working hours didn't help. I think some of the posters could be a bit more sympathetic. I worked in a job for 16 hours but the stress levels were intolerable. I now work 2 jobs that make up full-time hours between them and they're not as stressful. Eggfried, best of luck and as bestpud has said, make your claim now and don't let the thought of a possible sanction put you off.

bestpud

Ellie67 wrote: »

If a job is stressful, then it's stressful, end off. Obviously, the strange working hours didn't help. I think some of the posters could be a bit more sympathetic. I worked in a job for 16 hours but the stress levels were intolerable. I now work 2 jobs that make up full-time hours between them and they're not as stressful. Eggfried, best of luck and as bestpud has said, make your claim now and don't let the thought of a possible sanction put you off.

That is as maybe, but if there is no paper trail, or the OP has no medical evidence of this, it may not wash with JCP.

That is what people are saying - they are likely to question what is said and will award benefits accordingly iyswim?

Oldernotwiser

Ellie67 wrote: »

If a job is stressful, then it's stressful, end off. Obviously, the strange working hours didn't help. I think some of the posters could be a bit more sympathetic. I worked in a job for 16 hours but the stress levels were intolerable. I now work 2 jobs that make up full-time hours between them and they're not as stressful. Eggfried, best of luck and as bestpud has said, make your claim now and don't let the thought of a possible sanction put you off.

But the OP hasn't said that the job itself was stressful!

She said "I have been pressured into working more and more hours as they have no staff and it took me to breaking point I was just sleeping and working " and then said that she was working no more than full time hours and often fewer. If we could all claim benefits for the fact that working 30-38 hours per week is too much you'd have the whole bloody country on benefits!

ladyrider260

The best and most positive route would be to find something more suitable before leaving your current employment. Perhaps you could ask your doctor to sign you off which will give you some respite and hopefully help you find another job faster.....although bear in mind your next employer may want to know about any sickness and you'll have to tell them you're signed off sick, which may go against you.

There's nothing worse than being in a job where you have constant pressure to take on too much work. I have been in a job where two people have left and I have had to take on the roles of 3 people, I used to go into work at 6am and sometimes not leave til gone 8pm because of the workload.
I wish you luck.