Depression............and work

stebiz

I am suffering badly from a bout of depression at the moment. In the last 12 months I've been off 3 times - total 12 days. Year before I was off for 3 months with work related stress.

This time it has come back with avengence. I have actually taken 2 weeks holiday because I can't get out. I am medication but know I won't be back in work in a fortnight but I'm scared stiff on losing my job. Should I ring my employer and tell them? Can they just dismiss me? I'm not one of these people who swing the lead when it comes to depression. I really have got serious problem. Please help.

Stebiz

SPANIEL36

hi stebiz. i have total sympathy with you as i too as suffering with exactly the same thing. The first thing you need to do is go see your doctor again and get him to sign you off work.For one, worrying about work and what they might say or do isn't gonna help one bit. Anti-depressants take at least 6-8 weeks to get into your system so there's no way your gonna be ready to go back to work in 2 weeks. Work cannot dismiss you over an illness like this. I was off for 12 months, went back last may and am off again with it at the moment. I know it sounds daft but even talking things through to anyone about anything can make you feel a bit better. If you like you can PM me and i'll be your talking buddy. Stop worrying about work though. Take care xx

stebiz

Thanks for that. Are there long lists for counsellors to deal with anxiety and the underlying reasons. Last time I felt a lot better but we never got to the root causes.

Cheers
Stebiz

Savvy_Sue

There may be a long list for counselling through your GP's surgery, there certainly is at mine, and with my most recent spate of 'issues' I decided I couldn't wait and paid to go privately. The GP may have a list of local counsellors who will see you privately.

but no, they can't just sack you. Go see your GP and get signed off.

ohreally

Your employer has a legal duty of care towards you.They must provide a safe system of work and they may be failing in their duty under the management regs and HASWA.Tribunals take cases such as this very seriously, e.g http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/0-9/4health/stress/saw_law.html
When i done a TUC course, the case i was given to work with centred around bullying mismanagement, the stress and depression suffered by staff and the outcomes. I'll try and find my notes (don't hold ones breath) as there was some interesting conclusions.
Plenty stuff on the net to read in the mean time...http://www.workstress.net/law.htm

What support mechanism has your employer implemented to assist you?

SPANIEL36

stebiz wrote: »

Thanks for that. Are there long lists for counsellors to deal with anxiety and the underlying reasons. Last time I felt a lot better but we never got to the root causes.

My doctor too wanted to send me for counselling. Currently i'm on the 20 week waiting list. I've got to admit this webite with all its forums is helping me alot..... OK i'm not getting to the bottom of my issues but at least i'm staying sane and saving money in the process!!:money:

sarah84

I really sympathise with you on this as I have suffered the same thing, and people who have never had depression can be very dismissive.
I have had nine jobs since leaving school 6yrs ago, due to my depression/paranoia/self consciousness.

During the worst period about 3yrs ago, I had been in my job 11months and was being bullied by my boss as well as being in an abusive relationship.
I chose the route of telling my boss about my depression who promptly fired me on the spot...I attempted to complain to head office who hung up on me, rang my boss who claimed 'you left, I didnt fire you and you cant prove it' and finally a tribunal company who told me they couldnt do anything as I hadnt been with the company for a year.

I have been with my current employer for nine months and am now starting to find it hard again-the job is way below what I am capable of and rather soul destroying at times. Sometimes I just feel like I cant be there and need to be on my own or with someone that will 'look after me' like my partner. I have lots of time off which I know is self destructive.
Sometimes I want to talk to my friends or family about it but I know basically all of them are fed up of hearing it and I dont think they take me seriously.

SPANIEL36

It certainly sounds to me that the majority of emplyers dont give a monkeys in this day and age anymore. We are just another number to them. I've been with my emplyer 13 years and they certainly haven't got any compassion or sympathy. When my grandad died last year i asked for another day off after the funeral just to make sure my nan was okay. They knew the situation with my nan ( i had been brought up by her and she's like a mum to me) and they just turned round and said a big fat NO. Now, whenever they ask me to go out of my way for them they get the same answer

lynzpower

My employer organised a counsellor for me, at thier expense. This was part of thier duty of care package. In fact I had 2 different counsellors through work one employed, one contracted. I was quite impressed to be honest, and I was seen within the week.

stebiz

SPANIEL36 wrote: »

It certainly sounds to me that the majority of emplyers dont give a monkeys in this day and age anymore. We are just another number to them. I've been with my emplyer 13 years and they certainly haven't got any compassion or sympathy. When my grandad died last year i asked for another day off after the funeral just to make sure my nan was okay. They knew the situation with my nan ( i had been brought up by her and she's like a mum to me) and they just turned round and said a big fat NO. Now, whenever they ask me to go out of my way for them they get the same answer

To be honest that doesn't surprise me at all. We are just numbers for most companies factored into profit.

Stebiz

stebiz

lynzpower wrote: »

My employer organised a counsellor for me, at thier expense. This was part of thier duty of care package. In fact I had 2 different counsellors through work one employed, one contracted. I was quite impressed to be honest, and I was seen within the week.

These type of employers don't come along every day. Stick with 'em.

Stebiz