Signed off sick due to mental health which is exacerbated by current job - What are my options?

Koopa_2

Hi everyone,

I'm currently signed off work for mental health reasons (anxiety and depression). I've suffered with both for many years but this is the first time I've been signed off. Illness wise, I'm reviewing my medication and reaching out for community therapy during my 2 weeks of sick leave. The job I do is by its nature stressful, as it is chasing members of the public for money they owe, which includes the levying of harsh late fees and penalties. The workload is also huge as it's understaffed and at least 3 weeks behind on E-Mails for example (the turnaround is supposed to be 5 days). To cut to the chase, the job doesn't suit me and is a big contributor to my struggles at the moment. I do actively want to leave, so I'm wary of returning there after the sick leave, then potentially handing in my notice shortly after. If anybody has any guidance on what the best play would be, and if this would hinder me getting another job at all, that would be great!

To add - I've been in the job for 8 months - I'm still on probation as it was extended due to my time off sick. Also, something that's probably important - I'm on a warning for sick days taken. The underlying issue to those was mental health. So even if I went back and 'toughed it out', as soon as I have a day off for an interview I'm likely out the door anyway!

pramsay13

Any new employer is going to be concerned about your sickness history. 
I'm not sure there is a good way to 'play' it. 

MovingForwards

A few years ago I was in a similar situation. I've got physical health issues but the job I was in affected my MH which had a knock on effect to my PH. I had only taken 2 days off months before due to being unable to walk.
Dr took one look at me and signed me off, I had another 2 week sick note after that. I got up the day I was due to return, burst out crying and emailed my immediate resignation. When it was confirmed as accepted it felt like a weight was lifted. I updated my CV, was interviewed for a temporary job a couple of days later and was offered it on the spot. I was able to explain why I went off ill and it was understood.

Koopa_2

Thanks for the replies. I realise that pramsay13, I think what I'm trying to find out is if I discuss it with the employer and it comes to the point where we mutually agree to end the employment - Can I still ask them for a reference, and do I need to mention the sickness and the reason or just simply it didn't work out as the job wasn't for me. Thanks MovingForwards, that's encouraging

ETA - I'm confident of finding other work, but if I don't, am I unable to claim anything? I guess it would be the same situation if the company simply decided I didn't pass probation?

Savvy_Sue

If you mutually agree to end the employer you can certainly ask for a reference, but the starting point might be what their standard reference policy is. If they just state dates worked from and to, doesn't matter why you left. 

MovingForwards

There's been a few posts on the benefits section recently about leaving jobs due to MH or other health related reasons, worth a quick look or post your own question.

You can use your current employer as a reference, I did with the temp job but said to the agency I wouldn't know what kind of reference they would receive.

The agency had previously placed me in the one I quit and knew from other ex-colleagues it wasn't a good place to work anymore. The role I'm now in I never used the previous company as a reference; landed this one a few hours after being advised my temp role was finishing.

juraj.kecso

If you think the very nature of the job is causing you stress I'd seriously consider resignation. 

Alternatively, given your length of absence your employer is likely to commence their version of long term absence procedure which may well lead to your dismissal due to ill health if you are not able to return to work in a foreseeable future and they are unable to make adjustments to your role that would support your return.

[Deleted User]

I think you need to keep as close to the truth for the reason in leaving. For your own sanity as much as anything. I went around saying I didn't fit in a call centre (what a wasted reason; completely escaped me that it was a 40 hour position, not adding commute time) the next job I landed because I've not said anything about hours, I've managed to land working in nearly a 48 hours a week telesales role. There was a question asked during the interview of what would prevent me working full hours - I really thought it was a veiled question of did I have children or medical problems - but in hindsight I now think that was the ideal moment to say I wouldn't want to work more then x amount of hours in this particular type of role, if it cost me the job then I would have been being honest. I had another job interested but they can't work out if they want someone self employed for part-time or full time PAYE employed for the minimum. The last reference form which was this year, asked anything but time off sick. Good luck out there, changing jobs in 21 is not jumping from pan into fire BUT like jumping from fire to fire.

Buzzard1985

Might be of use:
https://www.remploy.co.uk/about-us/current-programmes/access-work-mental-health-support-service
Trade union
https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-a-union
Citizen Advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/problems-at-work/dealing-with-a-problem-at-work/
Ask work to be sent to occupational health.

Koopa_2

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've spoken to CAB who have advised if I did resign from the job, I would still be able to claim Universal Credit. I'm confident that if I work with the doctor and find a job more suited to me, I'll be fine very shortly. Because I'm still in probation, I will offer them a week's notice as I believe that's the standard for a probation period on both sides? Also, do I need to mention the sickness in the resignation letter or simply write that after my time out, I've realised it's not the right fit for me?

Thanks again everyone