Soon to be made redundant - Don't want to go back to work.

TwelveStopsThenHome

I work for my local city's council and I am soon to be made redundant in the next three months.

I am feeling dispirited, plus fearing I won't get another job after this as I don't want to go on benefits especially now with this spending cuts nonsense by the government. On top of that, I am applying like mad for jobs just to get out of this.

I have had a week off sick due to the flu and my depression being very bad, and I don't want to set foot back into work. We are all dispirited and there is little to nothing to do (which I belive hinted at us being made redundant). I am tempted to take these three months off as sick leave, but I can't see my doctor beliving me that much.

I feel low and I just don't want to face going in.

What shall I do?

Bonny1

If you work for the Council, they will pay you full wages for the first 6 months of sickness right?

Then try you best to persuade your Doctor, that your suffering real depression, as a result of the 'forth coming' redundancy. Be completely honest with him, he's the only person that can sign that slip.

best wishes honey, and I hope verything works out for you.

Bonny

Googlewhacker

Bonny1 wrote: »

If you work for the Council, they will pay you full wages for the first 6 months of sickness right?

Then try you best to persuade your Doctor, that your suffering real depression, as a result of the 'forth coming' redundancy. Be completely honest with him, he's the only person that can sign that slip.

best wishes honey, and I hope verything works out for you.

Bonny

I doubt a Dr would sign someone of for 3 months, a month at the most for depression and only if you are actually depressed.

Its a bad idea to be signed of because if potential employers see you have had 3 months of sick then you become less attractive (even with the new laws in place)

SarEl

Googlewhacker wrote: »

I doubt a Dr would sign someone of for 3 months, a month at the most for depression and only if you are actually depressed.

Its a bad idea to be signed of because if potential employers see you have had 3 months of sick then you become less attractive (even with the new laws in place)

I totally agree. A lengthy period of sick leave won't help you find a new job. Speak to your manager or HR about this and ask for an OH referral. Do what you can to remain in work and get through this period, and hopefully you will get another job soon.

PaulJM

OP -
I've been made redundant three times, and each time it knocks me back, but you will get it sorted.
Can I implore you not to try to get signed off? For all the reasons above, it really won't help you. Moping about the house is really bad for you - I've done it myself, and felt much worse.
I've got myself so fed up in the past that I've sat here thinking I'm having a heart attack - really serious pains in my chest and arms which makes you feel worse. Been to the docs and hosp, and I'm fine, but anxiety can cause some very realy mental and physical problems.

This time, as I get three months 'at risk' and 10 weeks notice, I've negotiated part time gardening leave.
This means that I still go into the office for a few hours, and keep a few bits and pieces open, so people know I'm still around. You might want to try this.
Also be practical - you could do with putting a full project spreadsheet together to check on your actions to get a new job - don't just rush into applying for hundreds of them - spend a week putting together your next steps.
I used the following subsections on mine -
Current job - Can it be retrieved? Can I appeal?
Current business - Contact as many people you know in your business, and tell them of your situation, in a positive "I really want to stay here, and think my skills would be a loss...etc" Meet some of those people - there may be hidden roles where you are.
Skill gaps - Try to plug any learning gaps you might have, you may get some out of your current place of work.
Other businesses - Decide what you can do/would like to do, and how you'll sell yourself. Make sure your CV is good, and have a general/specific one you could send out.
Make sure there is a 'update' column, and a 'time to completion' column

Don't let anyone think you're bitter or negative - they may well like you and want to find you something.
And remember, there is a curve that describes everyones' behavour when they find out about redundancy, and it's very much like grief.
So you'll go through days when you want to get things done, and get on with sorting it out. Other days/weeks, you'll feel like doing nothing, and feel depressed.

Mainly though, if you're willing to work, you'll get something absolutely fine for you.

Hope this helps, sounds a bit preachy, and I struggled with it so much, but if you can at least say you will get 3 things done on your spreadsheet each week, you'll feel like you're progressing!

Good luck!

Primrose

I sympathise with how you are feeling. It's a miserable and worrying time. However, please don't let yourself be tempted in going down the sickness route at this time. You need to be applying for other jobs in a positive fighting mode rather than sitting back and allowing yourself to feel sorry for yourself. Your negative attitude will show through in potential job interviews - believe me - interviewers can be pretty smart people at reading between the line and the last thing you need at the moment is a handicap when applying for other jobs. However down you're feeling, try not to let it show. Being away from a working environment for three months will allow your skill base to slip and your mental attitude to slacken. You can't afford to let this happen and if your sick record is displayed as part of a reference check by a future employer, it could damage your job prospects. good luck and try to remain cheerful. You have a brief breathing space whilst still employed. Make the most of it.

marioncatlin

I agree with the above. I have been 'at risk' for a year with my last role (8 years very happy) being deleted last January and a new role (very similar but different manager) created but now that is being deleted because she has taken over my job. So I have struggled for a year in very difficult circumstances and at first, felt like you, damaged and wanting to hide but I fought my way through and now feel much stronger and ready to take a big step outside. I am still scared and don't know what will happen but also excited a bit too - and I am no spring chicken so listen to the advice above and make yourself fight to the surface. Strength of mind will win out

BlueBanana_2

Hi all,

I can totally relate to this. I'm in a similar situation ("restructuring") and am desperately trying to get another job. I've lost count of how many I've applied for and it's really dispiriting.

Paul - thanks for that great advice. I've gone through a whole rollercoaster of emotions (sometimes in 1 day). Being angry or really optimistic are the most useful ones as I tend to apply for jobs then :rotfl:

As a long-term sufferer of panic attacks, I make sure I take lots of time out from stressing about paying the mortgage, will I ever get another job etc. by doing things I know help me to chill out (sitting in the park, watching an old movie).

Good luck to everyone out there who's going through this - when (if) the economy recovers, I don't think I'll ever moan about a job again....

notechno

"I am tempted to take these three months off as sick leave, but I can't see my doctor beliving me that much."

I'm currently at risk at work, on a 30 day consultation period, but I drag myself in every day because
a) I want to keep my job if I possibly can and
b) I don't work in the public sector where I can just swing the lead because I feel sorry for myself and don't feel like going in (yet I and everyone else are paying their wages - disgraceful)

BlueBanana_2

Your post is deeply offensive. I'm a hard-working public sector worker (when I first worked in the public sector I was paid £3.00 an hour for doing a job most people wouldn't want to do) and always have been. And now my job is at risk and it's very scary. The last thing I (or any other public sector worker) needs is to have people bashing us on messageboards. It's bad enough having to put up with the TV news doing it every night.

All my friends work incredibly hard in the public sector too. So don't bash those who provide services to people in need - one day it might be you.

notechno

I'm not bashing hardworking people in the public sector who do a fair day's job for a fair day's pay. I'm 'bashing' (your word not mine) people who think it's ok to take the next 3 months off sick once they're put on notice - and that deliberate un-warranted sick leave is paid for by everyone's Council Tax