Job is affecting health

Kered

Hi
I am 51 and my current job is affecting my health, I enjoy the outdoor aspect of my work but the miles that I walk each day are starting to give me trouble with both my breathing and stamina in my legs.

I would like to get another job, part-time if possible but the pickings fo over 50's are slim in my area.

My question is how would I stand with the DSS if I gave up my current job while I was looking for another one?

I feel I could be better able to look in more places and generaly do more applications if I was not working but I do appreciate it is better to be in work when applying rather than not, also if I gave up my job on health grounds, it might stand against me in my applications.
I am single and mortgage free and any advice would be more than welcome.
I am not an experienced job seeker as I have found work quite quickly when needed in the past and consequently dont have experience in claiming benefits either.

Thanks for reading.

C_Mababejive

I am no expert but if you actively give up your job,then you may have a difficult time with the DWP.

I think your best approach would be to make an appointment with the Occ health dept of your company if they have one,and speak to them.

If they dont have one,speak to your manager.

Consider bringing your TU rep or a friend to such meets.

Kered

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I am no expert but if you actively give up your job,then you may have a difficult time with the DWP.

I think your best approach would be to make an appointment with the Occ health dept of your company if they have one,and speak to them.

If they dont have one,speak to your manager.

Consider bringing your TU rep or a friend to such meets.

Those were my thoughts as well, I was just wondering/hoping if anyone had a similar experience and might be able to advise.

I see my doctor this afternoon and hopefully get an update on results of tests.

Oldernotwiser

What job do you do and how far do you walk that it's causing a problem at your age? Do you have any health problems or do you smoke?

Newly_retired

If you give up your job voluntarily you could have difficulty getting benefits, if it wan't on medical grounds.

Kered

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

What job do you do and how far do you walk that it's causing a problem at your age? Do you have any health problems or do you smoke?

I work as a meter reader and can walk up to about 10/12 miles a day depending on the area I am in.

I am an ex-smoker having stopped nearly 20 years ago, I am currently being treated for suspected asthma but they are not sure what my problem is and the inhaler I am using seems to be making me worse if anything hence my return to the doctor.

Peter_Lanky

In theory, if your health is causing problems with your work, your employer should try to make reasonable adjustments to your work to help to accommodate any shortcomings. In reality, this may be more difficult if such inconveniences don't appear high on your employer's priorities. As suggested, ask for an occupational health assessment and take it from there. It's no use trying to be more specific, not being familiar with you/your job/your employer.

Farway

As stated if you leave of your own accord [whatever the reason] then from DWP viewpoint you have deliberately made yourself unemployed and will receive zero benefits

You are going the right way via medical, you need them to sign you onto sick

But, do be aware, new Government is breathing heavily on those who can work but do not, not suggesting this is you, but DWP may well be going over all claimants with a fine comb in the future, and what applies now may well not in 6 months time

chesky369

The thing will be that you are capable of some kind of work, so getting benefits will be difficult for you from now on, since the government is placing a great deal of stress on people returning to work if at all possible. It's simply that your role until now is becoming more difficult. You should definitely discuss with both your company (it must be a utility, so it's a pretty big concern) occupational health and HR department to see if they have alternative positions, or if you could retrain for another role.

Kered

My company is not really sympathetic to my situation, I asked if I could go part-time or even just reduce my hours slightly but was told a firm no.
I do want to work and have no intention of going onto benefits if I can avoid it, I just dont want to stay in my job too long that it affects my health worse that it is at the moment.
I am planning to retire from work at about age 59/60 and my pension plans are set up to allow for this but I need to keep some kind of income going until I reach that point even if it is just part-time.

Oldernotwiser

I'm sorry if this is obviously a non starter but would something like an electric bicycle help you get around more easily and enable you to continue?