New career? Help needed!

Made_in_Cornwall

I have worked in kitchens/restaurants all my life, it's all I know. A back injury has kept me off work for three weeks now and it's still not better. While being off I've realised how much I hate my job! I'm not even sure I can go back to ten hour shifts on my feet all day with the injury, don't know if it's long term yet.

My question is how do I go about changing jobs when it's all I've ever known? I'm mid forties and have to work to keep the family going. My Dh's wages pays all the direct debits but mine buys the food and all the extras so I cannot just take anything, but I'm pretty useless at everything so there's nothing I can think of that I can do:o

Don't mean to sound defeatist but I'm struggling! Any help would be much appreciated.

TIA

Angel35

Hello I'm sorry to hear your news. Just posting to let you know that there is a government employment project available in your area called work choice. It's delivered by pluss in your area and it's to support people with disabilities or health conditions into employment of 16 hours at least. At your early stage it's best to get yourself signed off at doctors and then if you do give up job pop into jobcentre and ask about work choice. They can help to look at all your options sign post you to appropriate training help with applications job interviews etc and they also provide in work support helping to make sure you have all the adjustments etc that you need. Best of luck with everything xxx

Wizzbang

Sorry but I don't agree with the above advice, it sounds like this poster works for the organisation mentioned. Although if they do, they don't know their job very well! I am a health professional specialising in occupation. (I don't want to go into anymore specifics on this public forum).

You do not need to be signed off necessarily- sick notes do not exist anymore. They are called fit notes and describe what activities you will be able to undertake at your workplace. Your employer should be working with you to find tasks that you can complete and making reasonable adjustments to your working hours whilst you gradually return to work. The last thing you need on your employment record is being fired due to medical incapability to carry out your duties.

Back injuries (unless you have been told otherwise by a doctor) are not generally helped by staying in bed, lying flat on your back. You also should not avoid exercise. More than a day or two of staying in bed or taking it easy will actually make the situation worse. You should resume normal activities despite your discomfort. Employing pain management techniques will help; you may want to use painkillers, but take care not to overuse due to the risk of addiction. Simple things like regularly adjusting your position and maintaining a good posture are effective.

Did your injury occur at work? If so, a report should be filed and depending on how it happened- you should be given a manual handling update. If standing is going to be difficult, then ask your employer if you can have a stool. Ask for regular breaks during your working day, or simply changing tasks might be enough. Pace yourself- maybe break up tasks over the course of the day.

Regarding changing career, by all means start exploring your options. However the type of programme the other poster mentions is not available to someone this early down the road. They are for disabled people and disability by definition is something that has lasted for 6 months. You are not yet in that position. There are plenty of on-line tests which will help you to identify work you may be suited to. You could purchase a book called Career Anchors by Schein which is like a detailed questionnaire, similar to the above. Why not think about volunteering to gain some skills whilst you stay at your current employment and try out some potential new careers without too much commitment?

You should have access to Occupational Health through your employer- they should 100% be your first stop. They can assess your condition and discuss all the things I have mentioned above with you. The only reason you would be going to the Job Centre to see a DEA and be referred to Work Step is if you don't have a job anymore. I very much doubt that needs to happen!

janeywoo1978

interesting post. hope everything works out for you but Don't put yourself down theres a big world out there go grab it!!!! you can do it.