Advice required please! Mental health issues / work disciplinary

budgetboo

Don't be scared to look for some part time or voluntary work to help you recover. At last we have a government that approves of this approach, there may be schemes at the job centre to help when you feel up to asking.

My Aunt was honest with a part time job some years back, she started part time in a menial role, (factory), but ended up full time in their office in a demanding well paid role, and now she's over retirement age goes in 3 days a week to the office role. As the employer took her on at her low point there were no expectations put on her but she was able to make friends etc at her own pace. The stage she was at just getting out of the house for a few hours daily was an achievement. She still feels it was the bext thing she ever did, and over the 18 years she's been with them has built a really supportive relationship with them . They were very kind when her husband died about 10 years after they first hired her as by ths time she was viewed as an asset. Work hasn't been a trigger for her depression but has been a great support.

Sometimes you have to step back a little to move forward, but it's often a good long term move. Do you have space for a flatmate to help with the mortgage? The company might help a little as you recover. Going back, knowing they are just waiting for you to mess up seems too much of a strain on your health. Without good health you have nothing long term.

Googlewhacker

good news for you sealman!

crabyducky

i just resigneds from a job of 10 years due to simmilar situation as the OP and have been able to sign on, with no sanction.

OP resign when i did it was as if the black cloud hanging over me had been lifted. i certinaly feel much better now, and am starting to make good progress with my depression

naughtyjo

Well I am glad your involving your union rep at least they can advise and try to negotiate a better settlement for you. How ever is it the right choice? If you are depressed its difficult to make these kind of decisions with a clear head.
It is proven that routine can help with depression and believe it or not work is good for you and your mental health. Reasonable adjustments are there for people with mental health issues for eg Phased return to work (3)hours a day for 1st work 4 for 2nd week and so on. I also have negotiated that if my member wakes up with that cant go to work today feeling they can ring in and ask for a later start which is very effective to help motivating yourself to coming in.
Most large employers with occupational health services or trade unions themselves have free counselling services which they should give you paid time off to attend as this can be really beneficial.
Another option can you change your job to a less stressful one within the organisation? Can you work less hours a week so yo have some cash coming in and a bit of a break. Don't know your income or anything but if your over 25 and working 30 hours/week as a single person you could get working tax credit to help bump your income up. You normally need to be on less than £15k so if you did drop to hours/week would this apply to you.
If all else fails and you decide to pack in then you can claim Employment Support Allowance (ESA) if your GP will continue to give you sick notes. They will send you for a medical etc but you can sort of guarantee it for a couple of months. If your kicked off esa then you could get Job seekers allowance. Under ESA you would be able to access a personal advisor who specialises in dealing with people with health issues and under JSA you could access a DEA who basically work with employers that will employ people dispite health conditions. The DEAs can also pay for any reasonable adjustment costs etc. They could help you explore many options. I dont know where you live but you may have a Shaw Trust in your area or something similar and they can help with info and advice for jobsearching with disablilities etc.
Good Luck but way up all your options first

sealman

Thanks for the reply naughtyjo.

I've been thinking about this a lot, and I do feel that it is the best option to take. Once everythings finalised I'll be signing on contribution based ESA, plus I've got a couple of contacts for voluntary work, and the ESA will no doubt be able to give me more support with looking for work than if I went on plain JSA.

Might as well look on this as a new opportunity! :T

naughtyjo

definately esa is the better option as you can access a lot more help and if your going to do voluntary work thats definately a positive as you will have something to get up for and do. I just see so many people isolated with depression and its not good for them.
Glad you've thought things through and I hope it all pans out for you
Good Luck I think your very brave !

sealman

Well, that's everything signed sealed and delivered today!
Signed the compromise agreement after seeking advice from my employment solicitor (at £155 an hour!). Basically I'll be coming out with around 11 months pay. Wasn't keen to go down tribunal route, solicitor also agreed seeing as I was getting a reasonable package. At least it's all done and dusted, now I can concentrate on getting better, then looking forward to a fresh start!

Freedom, and new opportunities! :T

Thanks everyone for their support / advice.

Googlewhacker

well done, plenty of money if spent wisely to last a long time for you to get better with no pressures.

sealman

Just to say, thanks everyone for all their help and support. In the interests of security I'll probably delete this thread (once I figure out how...)

Cheers

Googlewhacker

send an email to the mods(or whatever they are called) and explain why it needs to be deleted.

Cheers