what do you do when the process is causing unmanageable stress?

Eleison

I'm in a position where I will almost certainly have to be made redundant. It's a complex situation, which I can't go into publicly on this kind of forum.

But the main thing is that I have a psychiatric disability - depression, and additional symptoms from childhood trauma.

The Voluntary Redundancy process is being even more long and drawn out than anticipated.
This whole situation started back in October, with draft proposals outlined, and after applying for Vol. Red. a month ago... I was under the impression I should know by now. But today I find we have another month until we know who's been approved.

And it is doing my head in. Literally. Making me more emotionally unwell, tracking into my past traumas. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

I have been in treatment some years. I'm doing all the right things to recover/live with my condition. I'm in therapy, working through things, am on medication - had it increased back up recently after going down for a year, see my GP also regularly. Using the support network I have the best I can.

But the chronic stress and uncertainty is making me start to crumble. I have thoughts of wanting to resign, to be in more control. Although I've been advised not to, on a legal front.
But I really can't handle much more of this.

Emmzi

I would start by discussing the position with HR or your manager, who presumable are aware of your conition, and explain what the process is causing to you.

Or if you are ill, get ypurself to the doctor and get signed off. With some luck a decision will have been made before you would have to return.

Eleison

Thanks.
My managers know, and they also have been liasing with HR on my behalf. They have been aware for a long time, and had all the 'right things' in place. I was indeed referred to OH last year. But that went wrong. [long story I can't go into here.] I had to take some time off earlier this year due to the stress, and I'm scared to again because a) I'll be alone at home, and b) we're kind of stretched staffing wise right now. I've been holding things together at work so far since that period of time off. Even my stressed colleague said I looked stressed.. but of course it goes deeper than just 'looking stressed'.

Emmzi

you do know it i not your resonsibility to hold the workplace together if you are ill?

It is your responsibility to rest and get better. You don't want to be having a big old relapse now do you? So don't be a brave soldier, you won't get any reward for it.

I don't know what to suggest about alone at home except lots of visiting friends and family.

Eleison

Thanks. I see my GP tomorrow, so we'll see. She's all 'look on the brightside' though a lot of the time.
It's tricky getting to meet up with my parents right now. My dad isn't up to travelling as he's recovering from a bout of gastroe. and I'm not up to travelling as I'm not doing well emotionally. It's only an hour or so's journey. But across a big city and using public transport.
Friends? Sadly apart from work colleagues, I have none, well, just my flatmates. Sad byproduct of my illness stuff, isolation. Hence one of the reasons why pretty much having to be made redundant [when I know for sure...] is so horrible.
I ramble, sorry.

I was so wanting to fight for my job, not so long ago, but then the situation became clear that I wasn't up to handling some things in relation to what they're proposing and part of me can't wait to leave. But there's so much I'm good at. But not enough. It's a horrible, horrible situation.

tatineni

Now a days, it is really horrible thing to get a part time job for students. every one asks for the experience, but the one thing that I cant understand is "when every one asks for an experience then who is going to be one to give job for a fresher". It is rediculous to get a job for a student.

Eleison

Um, I'm not a student. I graduated nearly 20 years ago. I think maybe you posted in the wrong thread!

If anyone else has any further thoughts on my situation, they would be welcome. I see my GP in just over an hour.

Emmzi

above post is spammer getting post count up to post links, so just ignore.

Just to say good luck and I will be thinking of you. There may be some anxiety controlling meds to help? Mainly tho, listen to your doctor, and no points for being brave.

Eleison

Thanks. Oks.

My GP did the standard 'these are feelings everyone in this situation goes through, it's not because of your illness.' though she did also acknowledge there're also other factors. And to keep with the same meds. That I've got through tough times before. Have a strategy of situations to avoid. Which does help... 'around the edges' as my old friend would say. Just. Agh.

I did manage to speak with my manager this afternoon. But there's nothing anyone can do. Though I could speak with one of the top bods next week, just to get more clarity on some of the finer points of my situation, even if I can't have any answers.

I'm also in touch with someone who knows about disability rights, which helps, though I don't think that route would help me any.

CFC

Eleison, it's no good worrying. You chose to take VR for a reason. Whatever that reason was seemed a good one at the time. Keep thinking of the reason you elected to choose VR rather than 'wait and see', that put you into control.
At least you chose this rather than it being a CR proposition, in which you also have no control but you have no choice either.
Do bear in mind that it's a very hard situation for anyone, and indeed when you have deep rooted anxieties it's harder than normal, but there's nothing you can do (and quite possibly nothing that anyone else can do either) Just grit your teeth, listen to your doctor, and hang on in there.