Depression and work

Amber_Sunshine

Hi Stormy,

You're welcome to pop over to the depression thread in the Health and Beauty section for general support, we're a friendly lot! As for your job, if you like the job well enough, then I'd consider discussing with your manager ways of alleviating the pressure, eg reduce your hours (temporarily if necessary), share the workload with a colleague.

sammyjammy

If your job is part of the problem staying off work for any length of time is iunlikely to help, unless you don't ever go back of course. I have had jobs where I have felt like this and the only solution is to talk to them about the problems. If you stay off work then the issues will still be there when you go back and by worrying about them all day when you are off they will just seem much bigger.

Tayged

I know exeactly what your going through as I was in the same position. I kept on struglling through the job but eventually I came home one day and said I just can't go back. I knew myself that it was making me ill and I needed to take time out to get myself well. Its scary and the financial implications are also stressful, however, no matter how stressful they are I know that work would be worse. It is a struggle but it is surprising how you manage to get through the financial difficulties. i don't miss my job at all and don't intend on going back. I need something new, but when i'm better. Its a scary decision to make but in the scope of life it is just work. I am wanting to look to do some work from home but am bothered about getting ripped off. So if anyone can help with this topic it might be useful for the both of us.

Good Luck

System

I would get out if you can, I am in the same position however I also know what unemployment can be like, The fortnightly trot to the benefits office, sitting with the wasters who have no intention of working, being treated like a waster who has no intention of working by the Job Centre staff. You would need to go to the doctor if you haven't already and explain the situation and ask him to give you a sick line, some time off may help, and use your time of wisely, go job hunting. You will be amazed how quickly the depression lifts once you find a new job.

Uncertain

This is a difficult decision and not one to rush into (as I know only too well having been in the same situation myself).

The first thing to do is to have a serious chat with your doctor. Depending on how your practice works maybe you can book a double appointment or get the last slot in the day to get some extra time. I found an extra worry was "What happens if the Dr won't give me another sick note". I found it was best to ask the doctor how long he felt I needed. Mine understood the situation very well and told me that he would keep me off sick until we BOTH agreed differently.

The next question is what is your firm's sick pay position? To be blunt, even if you have decided you are not going back, there is no point in leaving while you are still being paid unless you have found a different job.

You say the firm are being "supportive". This can mean a number of things. Maybe they really value your services and want to do all they can to retain you. Or, maybe they are the type of employer that has a "gentle" policy such as the civil service or some academic institutions. Or, maybe they are just going through the motions in the hope of deflecting a justified claim for work related stress injury?

At the end of the day bills are paid with money, not bunches of flowers or expressions of goodwill!

If you company has a good sickpay scheme don't feel guilty about using it. It is for your doctor, not anybody else, to decide if you are fit for work. If he says you are not then take the sick pay you are entitled to.

Any sick pay scheme will come to an end (3 months, 6 months, a year or whatever) so you need to try to have some plans for this in advance. You don't want to swap work stress for money stress if you can possibly advoid it. I felt it was best to try and plan as this was less stressful than going over and over unresolved issues but I know how hard this can be.

If you have access to any free legal advice (home / car insurance, Union, Association etc) then I would make use of it. Again I felt it helped to know exactly what my rights were as this removed some worries.

All the best.