Want to quit my NHS job after Bereavement

rosa246are

Hi all 

unfortunately my parent died following car accident 4 months ago.  Due to the circumstances I’ve had to take leave, I’ve been off from work for 3 months now I’ve been signed off by my GP.  I am
due to return back via Phased return in 4 weeks time but I don’t think I will like to continue working in this role due the pressures, I am not resilient as before and the thought of work is just heightening my worries. 

I will like to work however just remote rather than face to face so looking into jobs with lower pressure less patient focused. 

my main question can I just not return back I.e quit ?  My notice is 2 months for my role (band 7) then leave but I can’t manage to do this currently. I’ve got 3 more weeks of sick leave … but I want to hand in my notice …

I was going to contact HR or occupational
health but if anyone knows any ideas please kindly Let me know 

thank you 

DE_612183

If you want to leave - hand in your notice - in the circumstances I would expect they would not hold you to the 2 months notice period.

Marcon

rosa246are said:

Hi all 

unfortunately my parent died following car accident 4 months ago.  Due to the circumstances I’ve had to take leave, I’ve been off from work for 3 months now I’ve been signed off by my GP.  I am
due to return back via Phased return in 4 weeks time but I don’t think I will like to continue working in this role due the pressures, I am not resilient as before and the thought of work is just heightening my worries. 

I will like to work however just remote rather than face to face so looking into jobs with lower pressure less patient focused. 

my main question can I just not return back I.e quit ?  My notice is 2 months for my role (band 7) then leave but I can’t manage to do this currently. I’ve got 3 more weeks of sick leave … but I want to hand in my notice …

Don't - or at least not yet. Apart from anything else, any future employer is going to ask why you left, and is almost certain to ask your current employer for a reference...so leaving in good style, if that's what you decide to do, is important.

It's extremely common to feel apprehensive about returning to work after a lengthy period of absence, especially when that absence has been down to sad and difficult circumstances.

Rather than simply throwing in the towel (and I can see the temptation to do so must be considerable), why not talk to  HR or Occupational Health, tell them how you feel and see if they have any suggestions. You may not be able to face returning to your current role now, but there may be other roles available, or you might feel differently once the shock of bereavement begins to lessen.

In other words, for your own sake try to keep your options open until you feel stronger and are better placed to consider things longer term.

DullGreyGuy

rosa246are said:

Hi all 

unfortunately my parent died following car accident 4 months ago.  Due to the circumstances I’ve had to take leave, I’ve been off from work for 3 months now I’ve been signed off by my GP.  I am
due to return back via Phased return in 4 weeks time but I don’t think I will like to continue working in this role due the pressures, I am not resilient as before and the thought of work is just heightening my worries. 

I will like to work however just remote rather than face to face so looking into jobs with lower pressure less patient focused. 

my main question can I just not return back I.e quit ?  My notice is 2 months for my role (band 7) then leave but I can’t manage to do this currently. I’ve got 3 more weeks of sick leave … but I want to hand in my notice …

I was going to contact HR or occupational
health but if anyone knows any ideas please kindly Let me know 

thank you 

You can hand in your notice whilst you are on sick leave if thats what you want to do, you can ask about negotiating the notice period required and under the circumstances they may be more open to it than they would otherwise. Obviously if they want to hold you to the full 2 months you can always return to your GP if you dont feel up to it and get another fit note. 

Having a conversation with HR before doing so isn't a bad shout, if you're a valued worker they may well have other options.

I'll put my hand up and admit to at times having the emotions of a stone but one of the women in our team called in to say her husband had become very ill the preceding evening, ambulanced to A&E, a night full of tests and now had a stage 4 cancer diagnosis likely with days to live, he passed that night. She had 3 months off on compassionate leave and was reluctant to return to work but the company made some adjustments for her (much more WFH) and a couple of months on she at least has felt having the routine of work etc has helped her.

FlorayG

You can just quit without notice but then you won't get a reference for your next job.
OH should be able to speak with HR and arrange for you to leave with just two weeks notice - or even none at all- if they find it obvious that you are unable to cope with your previous job and are sympathetic as they should be.
Be sure that it's what you want, though  - sometimes immersing yourself in work is better than sitting at home moping ( though not for everyone, I realise that) and OH should be able to find you a less stressful job for a while or even a part-time one because the NHS being in the state it's in there are plenty of vacancies and they won't want to lose you
Ultimately it's down to your employer they can insist on the full month - I started a thread about this just recently

itsthelittlethings

You may not be able to claim UC if you quit your job.

Sarahspangles

rosa246are said:

Hi all 

unfortunately my parent died following car accident 4 months ago.  Due to the circumstances I’ve had to take leave, I’ve been off from work for 3 months now I’ve been signed off by my GP.  I am
due to return back via Phased return in 4 weeks time but I don’t think I will like to continue working in this role due the pressures, I am not resilient as before and the thought of work is just heightening my worries. 

I will like to work however just remote rather than face to face so looking into jobs with lower pressure less patient focused. 

my main question can I just not return back I.e quit ?  My notice is 2 months for my role (band 7) then leave but I can’t manage to do this currently. I’ve got 3 more weeks of sick leave … but I want to hand in my notice …

I was going to contact HR or occupational
health but if anyone knows any ideas please kindly Let me know 

thank you 

Why not contact Occupational Health and explain how you are feeling and ask if there is a role that is non-frontline for the time being. They will have worked with lots of colleagues having a tough time. Don’t assume that remote work is the solution without exploring what’s available. OH should liaise with HR and your team. I hope you’re feeling more settled soon.

rosa246are

Thank you all for your advice. 

I do appreciate it. I  will think about the options 

Mands

FlorayG said:

You can just quit without notice but then you won't get a reference for your next job.

When you are airily telling people they can quit with no notice and the only thing at risk is their reference, I'm curious to know ... are you planning on indemnifying them if their employer sues them for costs?

The employer won't in this case but some employers do. We've seen it on this board on at least one occasion. It's a rare occurrence but the costs can be significant.  The OP's notice is two months, not one. The cost of replacing her, at agency rates, for that period would be a substantial amount of money. 

Are you really happy to assure people there is virtually no comeback when the reality is that whilst it's rare the costs can run to thousands of pounds? 

Marcon

FlorayG said:

You can just quit without notice but then you won't get a reference for your next job.

That won't normally stop an employer giving a reference.

ShinyStarlight1

A good piece of advice I received following the shock-filled deaths of my parents was to make no big decisions for a year.

This gave me time for my nervous system to settle amid familiar surroundings and situations.

I think your employer may well move you to a more sedate, less pressurised post rather than lose you, but they need to know this is what you currently need.