Can I be sacked?

KatieS73

Hi,
My story...
Had close bereavements very close together and now have depression and anxiety. Had my only ever period of sick leave from work in my life.
Then I went back to find that my sympathetic bosses (local council funded offshoot 'charity') take me in for a return to work meeting, give me my workload, tell me others have had to do my work and then tell me to consider that it is a 'charity' I work for and because of that the now want me to travel to a different base in my own time (previously paid and takes 3.5 hours there and back) and put in a longer day. Before my day was 7.5 hours which included the 3.5 hours of travelling time. So now leaving home would be 6am and returning at 7pm! They say this would just be onve every two weeks but if I give in my worry is that they decide to make me do this every day.
I had asked for a change of supervisor as I felt my present one contributed to my stress and although workmates told me that should be no problem, as it often happens, the boss told me NO, there's no one else who could do it and if I don't feel up to working with my supervisor then maybe I should take more sick leave.
I do wonder if they are trying to get rid of me becasue of my mental health problems.
I know I still have a long way to go with my illness but I'm getting help from my GP, Occupational health, brilliant support from my family and friends and counselling, reiki etc. I'm trying my best to be me again.
I have to give them an answer about travelling in my own time next week and it's worrying me sick. If I stick up for myself and say no that makes me seem greedy taking money from a charity and if I say yes then I might be stuck having to travel everyday, and I'm just not fit enough for such a long day.
My other worry is they will sack me for saying no.
Anyone any idea what my options would be, and can they really do this to me?
Would anyone know of any mental health organisations that can help?
Just haven't felt listened to, felt liking shouting I'm ILL at least people can see a broken leg!
Worried sick about what I should do.

Sambucus_Nigra

How long have you worked there?

KatieS73

Was wondering if I should try asking them just to cut my pay by the 3.5 hours but still let me just work the 4 hour day (=7.5 hrs, 3.5 travel and 4 office) I had been doing before my illness.
Would this be something I could ask them to do? (Not that I really want to lose pay, but rather that than lose my job!!)
HELP!!!!!!

KatieS73

Hi Sambucus Nigra,

Worked there a year and a half.

Emmzi

have you actually been given a warning of any kind under a formal attendance procedure?

KatieS73

Hi, no warnings.
just had to sit down with my boss the first day back to work so she scould find out how best to support my return to work, (Well that's what I was told) but didn't turn out that way.

Emmzi

In which case I'd check your contract - does it state your place of work is "x" and some kind of schedule of hours? And stick to your guns.

If you aren't in a union join one.

If you are, call your rep for guidance.

KatieS73

One problem with that, I have never been given a contract! And I have asked a couple times and have been told they will get round to it but never have!

I have the job advert from the paper stating the location and hours, but just as 30 hours not the times when those have to be worked.
I was told I would have to go to the main base for my induction over the first two weeks, and I thought that would be it but they asked me to come into the base to cover, which I did and they paid my travel time and expenses, July and August last year and then in july of this year, but now they want to make the cover a premanent arrangement and for my to forego the paid travel time but now put in a 7.5 hour day at the base instead of the 4 plus 3.5 travel time I was doing.

How do i join a Union?

Sambucus_Nigra

KatieS73 wrote: »

One problem with that, I have never been given a contract! And I have asked a couple times and have been told they will get round to it but never have!

Nothing with terms and conditions at all?

Do you have a HR dept?

rachelhen

I read somewhere that you not having a contract is actually worse for the firm because it is 'custom and practice' the hours you have been doing, but someone with more knowledge will tell you better than me as It is complicated employment law.

whitewing

I believe you still have a contract as per the law, even if it is not written.

I think I would agree to a once a fortnight travel, and a max of six hour shift there with travel expenses paid but not travel time. Do you have to drive or could you go by train?