Career Break

Mupette

I want/NEED my job to back to.

Being classed as disabled I'm not sure they will want to go the dismissal route without serious implications.

It was difficult enough for me to get this job, I'm not about to give it up now.

The benefit of this employement is I contribute to the household bills, i'm not sat on backside not working when i feel ok to work. Really Guest 101 what were you thinking.

I don't really like where I work, but also not stupid enough to let it go either, I can't look for another job until after treatment as I will not have the same job security that I do now.

Mupette

In order to arrange what would essentially be a ‘career break’ for you, we just need to work around the timings that you can advise us.

If you could have a little think about things and let us know, in writing, when you’d want it to start (so your last working day). The proposed timing of the break (so when you’d expect to be back, although if this changes due to unforeseen circumstances you’d just need to let us know), and a brief outline of the reasons why you are requesting the break (we need this to keep on file the reasons in your own words, I do appreciate that we’re all completely aware and supportive of your motives).

Your contract of employment will be suspended for the duration of the career break for all purposes, except life assurance cover, and I can confirm that continuous service will still apply.

Just because it goes down as something as seemingly simple as a ‘career break’ I hope you’re aware that we know it’s something far more than that for you, and we really are wishing you all the best. As I said earlier, no one can put themselves in your shoes, but you’ve done amazingly to fight for this opportunity, so we know that although it’ll be called a career break, it’s something far more than the sum of this title, so please don’t think it’s being trivialised by being called this.

copy of the email from my manager from December so have that i writing. Today I gave them the date I would fininsh work and proposed month i would return.

Mupette

I've sent an email to our employee services to talk about sick pay, is it only available for one month only, ssp1 form if i need it etc.

Will update when they get back to me

Mupette

Got a reply back from Employee Services today.

Told them about my managers plans to place me on a career break.

They said it wasn't necessary as that is what sick pay is for. Regardless where my operation is.

As long as I provide sick notes to my team leader and they mark me sick that is that.

First estimate was if i went off sick 30th June then i would be covered until January 2018. Then the woman was told i have had a lot of sick days in the year (assume they mean 2016) (I did say to her in first email that i have had a lot of sick days in the 4 years there due to my disability).

I did ask does SSP renew and if so when, or is it until you have used all 28 weeks in continual service aka my 4 years, because if so then i am sure i am out of SSP or close to the end.


So waiting to hear back of how much SSP i have left and an estimated date of when it runs out if i start the sick from the 1st of July, bear in mind i can go off sick for a few days in the next 6 months (that's MS for you).

I know at some point i need to contact ESA to make a claim if i am still off sick and run out of SSP, hopefully i will be out of the stage of isolation and can go to the job centre with all documentation etc. although i will have to still wear a mask.

Ames

There's no need to go to the jobcentre to claim ESA. AFAIK it's all done over the phone and by post. I think it's possible to take things to the JC, but not encouraged or recommended.

Mupette

Does anyone know how SSP works, I have read the .gov site, it makes no sense to what i want to know.

when you start work you have 28 weeks....
does it reset each financial year?

or is it 28 weeks from the start of employment and then once you have used 28 weeks you will never be able to claim SSP from your employers ever again?

Thanks,

NYM

This link might help to explain how the linking periods are calculated for SSP Do I qualify..

Darksparkle

Mupette wrote: »

Does anyone know how SSP works, I have read the .gov site, it makes no sense to what i want to know.

when you start work you have 28 weeks....
does it reset each financial year?

or is it 28 weeks from the start of employment and then once you have used 28 weeks you will never be able to claim SSP from your employers ever again?

Thanks,

It would depend on how long it has been since the last period of absence and if they are considered "linked"

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/eligibility

Guest101

Mupette wrote: »

I want/NEED my job to back to. - Yes that seems obvious.

Being classed as disabled I'm not sure they will want to go the dismissal route without serious implications. - I wouldn't bank on it. If you aren't capable of doing the job, despite their reasonable adjustments, then you can be dismissed with no implications. You aren't made of Teflon. (Is your condition definitely classed as a disability?)

It was difficult enough for me to get this job, I'm not about to give it up now. - That may not be your choice.

The benefit of this employement is I contribute to the household bills, i'm not sat on backside not working when i feel ok to work. Really Guest 101 what were you thinking. - but you aren't getting paid for this career break. And then when you are ready to return, it's not as simple as rocking up at the door. The company may well decide to manage you out.

I don't really like where I work, but also not stupid enough to let it go either, I can't look for another job until after treatment as I will not have the same job security that I do now.

You are 100% letting it go. Through no fault of your own. You are unwell and the important thing is to get better.


But be under no illusions, 4 years of constant sickness and then a 8 month career break. The management aren't stupid, they will want a reliable employee.


you would be better off with them making you redundant, taking the pay off and starting a fresh when you have recovered.

Tiddlywinks

Guest101 wrote: »

You are 100% letting it go. Through no fault of your own. You are unwell and the important thing is to get better.


But be under no illusions, 4 years of constant sickness and then a 8 month career break. The management aren't stupid, they will want a reliable employee.


you would be better off with them making you redundant, taking the pay off and starting a fresh when you have recovered.

Do you ever see the bright side of life?

The message from the OP's manager was very impressive in the way it showed empathy for the situation.

Yes, corporately they may have absence management / capability processes that kick in during the period of sickness but the OP can work wth her manager to cross those bridges when (if) they come to them.

The company has offered to keep the job open, offered continuous employment and is even continuing the life insurance cover.

Why on earth would resignation be better? Redundancy - as you recommend - is not an option because the company appears happy to support the OP during this treatment process).