Out of work, psych appointment prevents proper full time work. Thoughts appreciated.

purplefiona

Hello everyone
I'm currently job hunting and I came across a situation the other day which I'd appreciate your advice on.

Basically I went for a Senior Receptionist job through Office Angels. I have a psychotherapy appointment every Wednesday morning which is 100% necessary and non-cancelable. I asked the woman at Office Angels if I should mention it at interview and she said no. I did well in the interview and was offered the job. I then mentioned this and she said "you can't have that, this is a full time position", asking if I could move or cancel it and when is it finishing etc. I explained, and she asked for an email with a full explanation which I sent. I copied the email to my previous employers for them to send Office Angels a written statement attesting that therapy had never affected my work before, which they did.

She then rang me back and told me that the company (swanky architecture company Populous) were "surprised" that I didn't mention it in the interview. By now I had asked my therapist if my appointment could be changed, and had mentioned a change to an afternoon appointment, meaning I would have to leave at 3 on one day in every week. This equates to 2 hours of work missed, which with long reception hours would be simple to make up. Bearing in mind that this Wednesday morning appointment has never been a problem before, and I have worked on reception before.

Anyway, I was given one hour to explain via email, decide whether to cancel my ongoing 3+ years of psychotherapy and decide if I wanted to take up the job, which was starting on Monday. All this whilst I was nowhere near a computer or internet cafe- so I had to use my iphone to email them. (damn expensive thing- at this rate I will have to sell it) The woman from Populous "went into a meeting" about it (according to Office Angels) and the following day I rang Office Angels to find that the job offer had been withdrawn.

So assuming that they simply withdrew the offer because of my availability suddenly being thrown into doubt, what if any other kind of job could I get? Office Angels, after giving me 2 days work, and promising all sorts of things, have now lapsed into silence. Do I look for "part time" work- even though I am available for the whole week?

Feeling increasingly disenfranchised I've applied for several jobs but just a couple of days ago signed on sick- I don't know what else to do. I don't FEEL too ill to work but clearly everyone seems to think I am. And frankly I seem to be sleeping 13 hours a day, not being able to drop off OR get up, and if that not depressed I don't know what is!

I'm experienced with people, telephone admin, customer service, design, jewellery, gems, all sorts of things. I've been working full time for years whilst having therapy. Friends have advised me to aim to work for the nhs- I am looking out for stuff on their site all the time.

Oh and before you suggest I take Populous/Office Angels to court, I think I can't- because they can show that they need me for the prescribed hours, and the job offer wasn't in writing. And also all my friends/family think I'm an idiot to even think about taking them to task so I wouldn't have the support.

So. Suggestions would be most welcome. I am at present living with relatives but I REALLY want to be earning so I can move out. my partner doesn't earn so please don't ask.

Thanks everyone.

xFiona

Googlewhacker

You'll just have to show honesty when applying for jobs and show your flexibility is there to make any lost hours up during the week.

I don't blame them for cancelling the offer as you were not forthcoming with this problem and as such they may feel if you wouldn't tell them about this what other problems may you cause

purplefiona

Thanks for your thoughts.
How exactly do I "just show" my flexibility, please?
Thanks ever so much
Fiona

Googlewhacker

purplefiona wrote: »

Thanks for your thoughts.
How exactly do I "just show" my flexibility, please?
Thanks ever so much
Fiona

I'm getting the vibe of sarcasm but to answer your question on your covering letter I would have the sentance.

whilst I do have an appointment at 10am every wednesday for two hours for a medical appointment that I have had for the last three years I am more than capable to work these extra hours through the week to make up for this loss of time. With other jobs (presuming you have had jobs during this time) this has not been a problem and my quality of work has not suffered.

Or something similar which maybe a bit more to the point.

Horace

Try looking at employers who have the two ticks symbol- positive about disabled people. You need to be honest and say that you have this regular appointment but also say how you have managed to hold down a job whilst having this treatment.

DVardysShadow

Well, Fiona, you have a choice.Therapy or Employment, unless you can make one fit around the other.

You have had 3 years of therapy and you are sleeping 13 hours a day and I agree, it looks like depression. Now I would not quite be so bold as to tell you to dump the therapy, I don't know what caused you to need it. But I really would question the value of it if this is the outcome after 3 years.

Sometimes there is a dependency which builds up between therapists and clients - and it is not all one way - the therapist becomes dependent upon the client for their own self esteem or for their fees. So often it is in the therapist's interests to bring you small improvements in your condition, to keep you coming to sessions, but not to bring about a full resolution of your problem, because this will reduce their income or the gratification of having a dependent client.

You may not be able to 'snap out of it'. But I would suggest that doing the right job on an ongoing basis is likely to bring about improvements in your condition - even if there is some underlying issue which remains to be addressed.

Rockporkchop

To be honest I doubt that any employer looking for a full time 9-5 type employee would agree to you attending a weekly appointment which took up the whole of Wednesday morning. It would annoy the other staff too much for a start and open a can of worms.

You could look for other reception jobs with different hours, like the evening shift. Or part time, as you said. Or maybe as you are such a loyal and long standing client, your therapist would consider an out of hours appointment, rather than an appointment which hampers your ability to find employment and move on with your life.

SarEl

Rockporkchop wrote: »

To be honest I doubt that any employer looking for a full time 9-5 type employee would agree to you attending a weekly appointment which took up the whole of Wednesday morning. It would annoy the other staff too much for a start and open a can of worms.

You could look for other reception jobs with different hours, like the evening shift. Or part time, as you said. Or maybe as you are such a loyal and long standing client, your therapist would consider an out of hours appointment, rather than an appointment which hampers your ability to find employment and move on with your life.

On the other hand, assuming that this is a medical condition of long-standing impact, and a condition which impacts on your day to day activity, withdrawing a job offer without any attempt at reasonable adjustments would, of course, be unlawful. Because the condition would be a disability, and the employer is obliged to consider reasonable adjustments. Assuming you qualify as disabled, they have just walked into a valid claim.

Gleeful

purplefiona wrote: »

?

Feeling increasingly disenfranchised
my partner doesn't earn so please don't ask.

Thanks everyone.

xFiona

1. 'Disenfranchised' - That isn't even a word to use within this context.

2. Why doesn't your partner earn? Why can't we ask?

I guess there comes a time when you need to be realistic, and live in the real world, and I'm not sure that's happening at the moment. You need a job, having one afternoon off in every two weeks isn't going to find you that job.

purplefiona

Gleeful wrote: »

1. 'Disenfranchised' - That isn't even a word to use within this context.

2. Why doesn't your partner earn? Why can't we ask?

I guess there comes a time when you need to be realistic, and live in the real world, and I'm not sure that's happening at the moment. You need a job, having one afternoon off in every two weeks isn't going to find you that job.

oh well excuse me for asking for help- obviously this is the wrong place to ask.
Its not TIME OFF- like a holiday
its a MEDICAL APPOINTMENT
and I can easily make up the time.- 0 you know, like working extra/other hours
Do you think that a disabled person in a wheelchair would be denied their therapeutic appointments (assuming they could make up the time)
or would they be told to choose between their therapy or a job?

And FYI if my therapy takes 3 years or 3 minutes none of you know what the problem(s) is/are so butt out!

Did I ask about my therapy and my relationship with my therapist? or did I ask about what kind of job I should be going for? The latter, I think.

No wonder so many people who could work are signed off work permanently with this type of attitude prevalent amongst the general population.

I despair.

dmg24

purplefiona wrote: »

oh well excuse me for asking for help- obviously this is the wrong place to ask.
Its not TIME OFF- like a holiday
its a MEDICAL APPOINTMENT
and I can easily make up the time.- 0 you know, like working extra/other hours
Do you think that a disabled person in a wheelchair would be denied their therapeutic appointments (assuming they could make up the time)
or would they be told to choose between their therapy or a job?

And FYI if my therapy takes 3 years or 3 minutes none of you know what the problem(s) is/are so butt out!

Did I ask about my therapy and my relationship with my therapist? or did I ask about what kind of job I should be going for? The latter, I think.

No wonder so many people who could work are signed off work permanently with this type of attitude prevalent amongst the general population.

I despair.

How rude! People have tried to help you, and you come back with such an ungrateful response. If your therapy is for anger issues you clearly have a long way still to go!