Back to the beginning :(

Sarah2490

Hi,

I was on this forum a while ago and with the help of some really lovely people I managed to sort out a payment plan with CCCS and arranged to pay of my energy debt at an affordable rate.

I am now in the position where I am facing having to giving up work due to a few reason but the main one being I can no longer do the job due a back problem. I have been off work for 5 weeks now with no improvement and the job I do aggravates the problem (office job and I can't sit for long periods) I also still struggle with leaving my daughter at such a young age (15 months) I was willing to do this to give us a good life and sort my debt out but now I can't even do my job

I have know idea how I will manage to live let alone pay back my debt if I don't work. I feel so sad as I had just got everything sorted and thing had just started to work out and I wasn't worried about money any more.

What can I do as I don't want to go back to the mess I was in and I don't want the endless sleepless night due to worry? People have suggested seeing the CAB but you can never get an appointment!

NorthernLas

Sarah - I didn't want to read and run ...

It sounds like giving up work is one option, but are there other things you could do like reducing your hours for a time or changing the amount of time you work?

One thing that I wouldn't do is resign, because you think you can't do the job. Being medically unfit and being released from work is something that is quite different.

While you are not able to work, can you do things to help your recovery, like gentle exercise, yoga, relaxation?
You could speak to CAB, but you could also look at entitledto.co.uk to find out about benefits (you could post on the benefits board as well)

happycamel_2

Hi, I agree. You're company should help you manage back pain with a DSE assessment, adjustable chair etc. Otherwise get signed off by your doctor and go through the sick leave process and finally disability benefit etc if necessary.

The last bit is a long way in the future. You shouldn't just accept pain, your GP can refer you for physio or to a pain clinic. He/she can also write to your company explaining what help you need. Your company might well have an occupational health provider who will deal with it.

Good luck and don't just give in.

RenovationMan

See if your employer will buy you a desk like this:



We had these in an office I used to work at and most people stood to do their work. I guess it depends on what you do as a job. I found it to be much better than sitting hunched over a desk all day.

Alternatively try a Kneeler Chair: http://www.backinaction.co.uk/kneeling

MacsReturns

Alternatively try a Kneeler Chair: http://www.backinaction.co.uk/kneeling

Yes, these are very good for backs, especially if you have pain in the lower back. Not so good on dodgy knees though , but you still need to get up, walk around, stretch (go make a cup of coffee, have a smoke break etc etc etc etc ) as you should in any desk job.

But more seriously, as advised above, don't simply resign.

LillythePink

I was going to suggest one of those desks above

A woman who I work with has one as she has a back problem and can't sit for long periods either - work bought one for her - I think the one we got for her was only £200 - which isn't huge in the grand scheme of things and they go up and down by electric - so it's not as if you have to crank a handle or anything.

I am not familiar with H&S etc, but is it something that you can approach your boss/HR about etc?

Try it before you think about giving up work

Marisco

I agree with the others, don't just leave work, as it will be weeks and weeks (I think it's something like 26wks) before you'll get any benefits. Explore other avenues as suggested, less hours, better workstation etc.

savingholmes

Would a tens machine help with the pain at all - I think they are £40 to buy but if you had a friend who had one you may be able to try it out and see if it helps

InDeepDebt

savingholmes wrote: »

Would a tens machine help with the pain at all - I think they are £40 to buy but if you had a friend who had one you may be able to try it out and see if it helps

I'm fairly sure that you can hire TENS machines from Boots - I think that they're about a tenner (pun not intended) for a week. Will mean that if you don't find it useful, you won't have wasted as much money.

Also agree with what others have said about a chair and other options. It will cost your employer a lot more to replace you than to get a new chair or desk.

If the worst does come to the worst, how long have you worked with your current employer and what's the sick scheme like - for example, where I work it's 52 weeks full pay - 52 weeks half (or is it 26 & 26).

Jim

Sarah2490

Morning,

Thanks for all your replies, I've been off work for 5 weeks now our sick pay is something like 18 weeks at full pay then 18 at half pay.

I've been on 2 different types of painkillers and have had injections into my back, although the injection have made it so I am not in pain all the time I am still not able to sit for any longer then 30 min without being in pain. I feel such a fraud at time as I am fit & well, I just can't sit to do my job. People at work have started gossiping that I am making it up and should be at work but I know the moment I go back to work I will aggravate the problem and be back to being in pain all the time.

I had a DSE assessment and the outcome was a special cushion may help but reducing my shift time meaning splitting my 16 hours over 3 not 2 days is their strongest recommendation so I'm not sat for as long each day.

I looked into this but my weekly cost would go up by £12.60 a week, £54.60 a month due to extra childcare & travel costs. I just can't find this extra money without struggling by again or reducing my debt repayment (I only pay £133 as it is)

I can't use a kneel chair as I have had problems with my knees

I just know I can't go back to the mess I was in and I can't go back to worrying every day about where the money is coming form. If I gave up work I would get benefits as I am a lone parent but I have always said I wanted to work so I can be a good roll model for my daughter and pay back the money I owe as I don't think it is right that I should have it cleared via a debt relief order as I made the mess I should sort it