Leaving work and benefits

Shelley86

Hi everyone.

I was employed in December last year on a temporary contract covering someone's maternity leave. This was due to come to end a few weeks ago but, instead, the company offered me a permanent role in a different department/team. I accepted it and I'm currently eight weeks into my six month probabionary period.

However, during my time there, I have experienced high levels of stress/pressure and it's currently at it's peak. I'm the only person who does my job so everything is always just "down to me". I have had three different managers (so far!) and the most recent has only been there a few weeks himself. He doesn't know anything my job (i.e. how much work comes in, what I do or how long it takes to do things).

As I briefly mentioned above, I have a huge amount of work at the moment and deadlines to meet. I have tried expressing my concerns to my manager but he just tells me not to worry about it and then proceeds to give me extra work! I don't really feel like I'm receiving any support whatsoever.

I have a history of anxiety, depression and stress. This is something that has led me to be signed off work for several weeks over a few different occasions (in a previous employment). I can genuinely feel myself heading in that direction again as I just cannot cope with my current job. I am regularly crying after work and even during(!) in the toilets where no-one can see. I have just about had enough and I need a clean break from something that is clearly making me ill.

My partner and I have agreed that, due to the circumstances, I should seriously consider handing my notice in. We have been through the finances and we should be ok (just about) for a few months while I look for a new job.

However, would I be entitled to claim JSA? I've tried researching online and know that I leaving a job voluntarily could mean I'm sanctioned for up to six months unless I have a good "case". How would I go about proving I had a good reason to leave? Nobody at work knows about my medical history as it's not something I've felt comfortable enough to bring up. However, my doctor could obviously provide some evidence...

Anyway, I'd be grateful for any help as my head is a bit of a mess at the moment!

paddedjohn

Looks like a rock and hard place position to me, if you just leave you will be sanctioned and if you go on the sick and leave on medical grounds you will have this on any future reference you need.

Dunroamin

Have you been back to your GP to see if changing your medications will help you cope better?

FBaby

There are still other avenues available whilst employed before giving it all in. Stress at work is becoming more and more common so you are better to learn how to cope with it then expecting to find another stress-free job.

You have told your boss how you feel and he has told you not too worry. So DON'T WORRY. Continue to do your best and what you can't do, you can't do. Remain professional, tell your boss you are feeling stress because you can't cope with the amount of work, so you are only doing as best as you can. Let him know as much in advance as possible when something can't be done. Work as productively as you can, and don't worry about whether things are done or not. That's his responsibility and why he is paid more.

Shelley86

Thanks for your replies.

Dunroamin wrote: »

Have you been back to your GP to see if changing your medications will help you cope better?

I'm not currently on any medication. I have tried it in the past but, unfortunately, I don't believe it proved to be much help.

Dunroamin

Shelley86 wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.



I'm not currently on any medication. I have tried it in the past but, unfortunately, I don't believe it proved to be much help.

I'd go back and try again as there are many different types these days. I think you have to do everything possible to help yourself, rather than running away from the situation.

Good luck.

plum2002

anxiety related stress and deadline related stress are very different things. I would go back to your GP and discuss coping strategies and possible medication to cope with anxiety related stress. On a day to day practical note; log every item in a notebook that enters your in-tray, with date in, length of time expected to take, actual time taken to complete, and date out. After a month you should be able to see if you are doing more than expected as you will either be doing over your hours OR have a considerable back log. Giving your boss actuals rather than panic 'i can't cope' will help him/her to see you are not over reacting.

princessdon

Have you worked and paid NI for the years 2010 - 2012?

If not then you will not be entitled to cont based JSA so any decision to leave work is down to your health as you won't get any JSA.

There are jobs without stress and if your OH can and is willing to support you then I don't see why you are putting yourself through this. Only problem is a reference so see if you can leave on good terms or try to struggle on a while whilst you find another job that suits you better.

Shelley86

princessdon wrote: »

Have you worked and paid NI for the years 2010 - 2012?

If not then you will not be entitled to cont based JSA so any decision to leave work is down to your health as you won't get any JSA.

There are jobs without stress and if your OH can and is willing to support you then I don't see why you are putting yourself through this. Only problem is a reference so see if you can leave on good terms or try to struggle on a while whilst you find another job that suits you better.

Yep. I've been working and paying NI since 2006.

I would fully intend to leave on the best terms possible. My other half is willing to support me while I look for another job so any JSA that I'm entited to would be a bonus.

princessdon

Shelley86 wrote: »

Yep. I've been working and paying NI since 2006.

I would fully intend to leave on the best terms possible. My other half is willing to support me while I look for another job so any JSA that I'm entited to would be a bonus.

Well as long as you are entitled to Cont based (ie you had no breaks that deemed your none entitlement, such as sickness etc) then as you say it's a bonus. Of course you *could* be sanctioned - I have no idea if your health would cause this to be sanction or not, but as it's only a bonus then putting your health first must be a priority for you. It must be hard being in a job that makes you so down so I hope you find a solution.

skintmacflint

FBaby wrote: »

There are still other avenues available whilst employed before giving it all in. Stress at work is becoming more and more common so you are better to learn how to cope with it then expecting to find another stress-free job.

You have told your boss how you feel and he has told you not too worry. So DON'T WORRY. Continue to do your best and what you can't do, you can't do. Remain professional, tell your boss you are feeling stress because you can't cope with the amount of work, so you are only doing as best as you can. Let him know as much in advance as possible when something can't be done. Work as productively as you can, and don't worry about whether things are done or not. That's his responsibility and why he is paid more.

Think this is what I'd try to do to be honest. It's easier to find different employment whilst still employed. If your boss is just new he's still finding his feet, and may become more supportive over the coming weeks and take some of the wokload off you.

And 8 weeks in a toally new postion you're still finding your feet as well. Yoiu might find things get easier ion time and you need less support once you're more familiar with it.

Previously I'd have said leave if things are affecting you badly. But with the way things are, there's thousands of well qualified people desperate to find work , and it may take you longer to find something else suitable.

And as you sound like someone who works and enjoys the respect if gives those who're able to, you may start feeling depressed for giving it up.