Work might cost me my home - can't stop worrying

Tiddlywinks

Why did the union rep say it was all your own fault?

Why have you been moved to another dept? Was it an area with reducing numbers or was there a specific reason for the move?

Is your partner's stress related to this incident or something more? How long has he been off and when is he likely to return to work?

Loanranger

When I was in a bad financial situation I got a part time job on top of my full time work. I worked in a bar and later on, in call centre, part time. It was tough doing all those hours, 57 a week, but not as tough as losing my home would have been.

Dunroamin

I'm not sure that the suggestions of working extra hours, when the OP has medical problems and is already stressed, are really the best way forward. Creating an SOA and a more realistic budget would seem to be a better approach.

Loanranger

Well, may be the OP's partner could take on extra work. Got to be better than losing their home, I would have thought.

DS4215

Maybe you could use this as an opportunity to explore your options. Saving ~£22 per week is doable for most people unless really strapped for cash, but why not look around. You might find another job that pays more without leaving you with the same levels of stress.

Dimey

Have you thought about how your employer might view both you and your OH going off sick with stress at this time?

I recognise that you really are sick but hopefully one or both of you can get back to work as soon as you feel better because you don't want to jeopardise your reputations or your jobs.

You need to show you are doing good jobs where you work at present and keep on the good side of the people who are making the final decision as to whether you should transfer or not and at what salary level.

You said you feel like walking out but you'd be better going back to resolve a compromise with your employer. And if you do lose the £1000 pa then still go back to earn something rather than nothing while you look for a better paid job elsewhere. I guess you can't afford a gap out of work.

If you do have to look for a better paid job elsewhere, then you'll need to be keen and enthusiastic and show self confidence etc. If you let yourself dip down too low in depression then interviewing well will be hard and you'll take longer to persuade someone to take you on.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Is there no way your partner could return to work if he's only receiving sick pay?

I appreciate he's obviously been signed off, but working and keeping the home has to be better for his mental health than staying at home and waiting for the bailiffs.

con1888

Try making cuts elsewhere, do you have satellite tv that you could go without ? Many people do and when in financial difficulties they don't even consider this, I can save about £80 a month by cancelling mine... it wouldn't be pleasant as we watch it a lot but if its between having your home or not....

I know it won't help me saying this but in this current climate, no job is set in stone sadly. Which is a constant worry to me.

CFC

sorry slow internet double post

CFC

I think the first thing you need to do is get a bit of perspective. If both of you are off sick then surely your income will drop? If you resign, you'll have no income at all which is not a recipe for improvement. Sure, you can keep working yourself up and have a breakdown or similar but it won't solve the problem, you need to detach yourself a bit and think about potential solutions.

Realistically if £90 a month is the difference between keeping your house and going bankrupt then there are some fundamental financial issues you need to fix.

Looks to me like your options are :

• either you or partner earn more via another job or an additional part time job
• take a lodger
• reduce expenditure - see debt board and old style board for help
• move to cheaper property

or some combination of the above.