Help with Notice Letter

free_chaz_dingle

Hiya,

I am awful at writing things down and explaining myself so looking for some advice if you can?

I am 35 years old and work for a small company (under 15 people) the issue is I feel I have no choice but to hand my notice in because of the amount of time off I have had recently, The company need everybody pulling their weight as we are not making a profit yet. I have worked for this company for over 2 years (although I had worked previously under them when they had a different company for over 6 years, They sold this company for 7 million pounds)

Issues started when my dad died in December last year, I suffer from depression and schizophrenia. My schizophrenia was under control until I lost my dad and I knew I was struggling mentally, Work knew this but still wanted me in, I suffered a breakdown and was sectioned under the mental health act. I was sectioned for around 2 weeks and they signed me off sick for 4 weeks, I stupidly went back to work two weeks early due to work requirements (i.e non profit making small company) Work allowed me to go back. I have gradually started going down hill again, Alienating work colleagues with my moods and shirt temper, Even alienating friends who I have worked with for 8+years (over two companies).

Mentally I am not right at the moment and have been sending my bosses emails saying I am going to quit and they look after other members of staff and don't care about me (Paranoid??) I really do need to hand my notice in, Add to this I am not mentally capable of work at the minute, the voices are getting stronger and my medication isn't working as it should and has in the past.

Any advice on what I should put in my notice letter? Like I say I struggle to get information across and everything seems so apathetic to me when I read it back, Almost like a robot has written it. Any advice on what I should include would be great, It is sad that it has come to this because any mental health care plans in place are non-existent at this company.


I am gutted because I have fought this illness for nigh on 15 years and worked all that time, The illness seems to be winning though and this will be the first time I will be out of work for 15 years.

Thanks and any advice is welcome.

harrys_dad

From what you have written you are ill. You need to see your GP and get signed off, if you are not already signed off. The company will have a procedure for dealing with long term absence and they should follow it. You would be ill advised to resign. Do you get sick pay from the company, or are you on SSP? Have you exhausted your 28 weeks SSP and moved on to ESA?

Lots of questions here, but in your own financial, and possibly health, interests, do not hand in your notice.

Takeaway_Addict

What noises are you getting from your bosses? Are they willing to help?

Generally its is suggested you let teh company make the moves to dismiss you and personally the fact they made a bunch of money of the previous business I wouldn't be worried to much about the current one because they *should* have plenty of reserves left from the intial sale.

free_chaz_dingle

harrys_dad wrote: »

From what you have written you are ill. You need to see your GP and get signed off, if you are not already signed off. The company will have a procedure for dealing with long term absence and they should follow it. You would be ill advised to resign. Do you get sick pay from the company, or are you on SSP? Have you exhausted your 28 weeks SSP and moved on to ESA?

Lots of questions here, but in your own financial, and possibly health, interests, do not hand in your notice.

Not signed off at the mo, But I have been sick since Monday so I either force myself to work tomorrow and continue the same rigmarole that has been happening the last few months or go to the quacks and get signed off.

I have been given new tablets because I had a reaction to the old ones, So I know the voices will get stronger until these tablets kick in. Sick of it tbh, Sick of fighting, Sick of life, sick of everything lol.

I really think it will be easier to just hand my notice in, Bosses at work are friends more than bosses (to me anyway) I really don't want to get to the stage where I am hounded out (it has happened to one of my friends at work recently, So I know they are willing to do that) I know one of the top bosses has been really good to me so don't want to jeopardise our future relationship (outside of work)

Decisions, Decisions and tbh one I don't think I am in the right frame of mind to do at the moment.

EDIT : what is ESA btw? I have had 0 of SSP or 0 of ESa as my main boss has paid me even when I was off sick Even though my contract says I won't get paid if I am off sick. Pretty decent in my book which is why I want to play as fair as possible!!! The only issue I have is they seemingly have no mental health care plans in place! I had no option for a gradual return to work after my sectioning etc... I was just chucked straight back in the deep end!

free_chaz_dingle

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

What noises are you getting from your bosses? Are they willing to help?

Generally its is suggested you let teh company make the moves to dismiss you and personally the fact they made a bunch of money of the previous business I wouldn't be worried to much about the current one because they *should* have plenty of reserves left from the intial sale.

My bosses (well one mainly) is fine I think, Although how I have been recently to him I am guessing that help is declining! With Small businesses you know who is on your side and who isn't, I can imagine he will be getting it in the neck for keeping on defending me for not turning up to work!

The sectioning didn't come at the best time either, Work is picking up massively and although my job isn't technical, It is 'important' when somebody isn't doing it, Hopefully you know what I mean lol....

It is my boss I don't want to let down most, He is proper good to me (paid me full pay when off sick even though the company policy is just SSP) backing him into a corner I feel which is why I am pretty sure I will be handing my notice in.

Should I mention my mental health for a reason for quiting? Or can it be detrimental going for future jobs (health willing, As I am fighter with this illness and try to never let the voices win long term!)

Thanks

harrys_dad

free_chaz_dingle wrote: »

Not signed off at the mo, But I have been sick since Monday so I either force myself to work tomorrow and continue the same rigmarole that has been happening the last few months or go to the quacks and get signed off.

I have been given new tablets because I had a reaction to the old ones, So I know the voices will get stronger until these tablets kick in. Sick of it tbh, Sick of fighting, Sick of life, sick of everything lol.

I really think it will be easier to just hand my notice in, Bosses at work are friends more than bosses (to me anyway) I really don't want to get to the stage where I am hounded out (it has happened to one of my friends at work recently, So I know they are willing to do that) I know one of the top bosses has been really good to me so don't want to jeopardise our future relationship (outside of work)

Decisions, Decisions and tbh one I don't think I am in the right frame of mind to do at the moment.

EDIT : what is ESA btw? I have had 0 of SSP or 0 of ESa as my main boss has paid me even when I was off sick Even though my contract says I won't get paid if I am off sick. Pretty decent in my book which is why I want to play as fair as possible!!! The only issue I have is they seemingly have no mental health care plans in place! I had no option for a gradual return to work after my sectioning etc... I was just chucked straight back in the deep end!

Why not get your GP to sign you off until the "new tablets kick in" and see if you become fit for work at that stage? If you resign voluntarily from work now what will you do for money? You may not be eligible for any JSA even if you resigned voluntarily.

Statutory Sick Pay is the minimum you are entitled to if your employer does not pay contractual sick pay. You can get this for 28 weeks. If you are still unfit for work after this time you move onto Employment Support Allowance.

If you are off long term sick your employer will likely refer you to their Occupational Health provider. They may suggest "reasonable adjustments" at work, may suggest you are unfit for work but may become fit, or may suggest you are unfit for work with no foreseeable possibility of return to work (but remember that although they are neutral they technically work for your employer). At this stage your employer may take action to dismiss you if you are "incapable of work due to sickness with no prospect of return". Your employer should have agreed procedures for this.

I must repeat that whilst I understand your "loyalty" to your employer you will do yourself nothing but harm by handing in your notice rather than going off sick. As you yourself said you are not in a position to make that sort of decision at the moment.

ValHaller

free_chaz_dingle wrote: »

It is my boss I don't want to let down most, He is proper good to me (paid me full pay when off sick even though the company policy is just SSP) backing him into a corner I feel which is why I am pretty sure I will be handing my notice in.

Should I mention my mental health for a reason for quiting? Or can it be detrimental going for future jobs (health willing, As I am fighter with this illness and try to never let the voices win long term!)

Your boss is good to you - he must appreciate you and will be disappointed if you just give up.

If you are up for fighting the voices, then do as harry's dad says and don't resign. In fact. don't make any decisions until you are back on top of the voices again.

free_chaz_dingle

harrys_dad wrote: »

Why not get your GP to sign you off until the "new tablets kick in" and see if you become fit for work at that stage? If you resign voluntarily from work now what will you do for money? You may not be eligible for any JSA even if you resigned voluntarily.

Statutory Sick Pay is the minimum you are entitled to if your employer does not pay contractual sick pay. You can get this for 28 weeks. If you are still unfit for work after this time you move onto Employment Support Allowance.

If you are off long term sick your employer will likely refer you to their Occupational Health provider. They may suggest "reasonable adjustments" at work, may suggest you are unfit for work but may become fit, or may suggest you are unfit for work with no foreseeable possibility of return to work (but remember that although they are neutral they technically work for your employer). At this stage your employer may take action to dismiss you if you are "incapable of work due to sickness with no prospect of return". Your employer should have agreed procedures for this.

I must repeat that whilst I understand your "loyalty" to your employer you will do yourself nothing but harm by handing in your notice rather than going off sick. As you yourself said you are not in a position to make that sort of decision at the moment.

Thanks for hammering the fact home I may have no money harrys dad, That certainly is a factor regards what I should do regards work...

May I ask what would happen if I do hand my notice in? I have struggled along work wise for the last 7 months, Off sick in intervals and put pressure on the company I work for, I know this will carry on as things are at the moment! waiting for new medication to work can be an annoying process for myself and the company!

Maybe come to an agreement with work to 'leave' with a compromise agreement in place? I am sure work don't want things to drag on regards SSP and the like and I really feel a clean break to help my rehabilitation will be beneficial....

If however their is no option of a clean break which may help me financially then 6 months off sick to help me recuperate and get the voices in check may be the best idea. Not sure what work will think, But hey ho I have myself to think about!

Off on a tangent, Anybody have experiences of returning to work after a long break off sick?

free_chaz_dingle

ValHaller wrote: »

Your boss is good to you - he must appreciate you and will be disappointed if you just give up.

If you are up for fighting the voices, then do as harry's dad says and don't resign. In fact. don't make any decision's until you are back on top of the voices again.

On a personal level I am pretty certain he will, And again on a personal level I am pretty certain he will keep check on my progress as a friend. We really do get on out of work!

Workwise I am not so sure, I really think he wants me gone just to ease work pressures and the work place environment.

Thanks for the advice on my voices, I fight them every step of the way, But I don't want work and my voices in unison to send me back to being sectioned...

Any help services out there to help me make this decision? My head is actually spinning with this :-( such a big decsion and I must admit I am struggling to see what the outcome can be for all eventualities.

harrys_dad

Your GP is your biggest help here. Get some time signed off sick and let the medication do its work. Then you can either make a decision or come here for some more suggestions and support.

MisterMan_2

Maybe you should see/speak with your doctor, and ask for his advice on what to do? I think he'll be better to advise you if you should give your notice in now, or wait to see how things are once the medication has kicked in properly.

Also, as you say, you're not feeling yourself at the moment, so maybe that also means this present moment in time, might not be the best time to make a decision like handing in your notice?

Good luck to you and I hope it all works out for you.