help - do I go to work??

top_drawer_2

hi,

I have been off sick this week from work with depression and anxiety and yesterday when I rang in again they said they are going to review my employment. I am training and my contract said the job was subject to satisfatory passing training and accreds and I have been there long so they said that I probably wouldn't pass acred to do the job...

If I go in this afternoon (work 5-9) then i might be giving them ammo to sack me on performance and if I dont then i might be sacked on attendance.

I am totally panicked by this, I dont want to lose my job but at the same time I think they may be setting me up to sack me. Like collecting evidence on my performance so they can sack me on that basis rather than my absence. I can't cope with things at the moment never mind with having to go to a Employment tribunal.

I just dont know what to do- go in even though I really cant cope with things, I dont think I could do the stuff they want me to do anyway or stay off.

Thanks for any advice,

Jen

colin13

I think as long as in ur contract saying ur under training ur r in a sticky situation,,, but u must look after ur self , if ur not fit to work do not go,because if at end of day u r not making the targets may b u will b better gettin ur self fit and healthy and starting afresh ps tht is just my opinion

top_drawer_2

hi,

I know .... just spoke to SU and they say that for yr they can sack me for any or no reason anyway unless I can "prove" that its because I have a disability (or due to gender, sexuality etc). This would be difficult bearing in mind that I havent finished training so they are bound to say its cos I cant show profiency in answering calls.

I certainly dont feel fit to work but am worried what will happen money-wise. I just cant survive on nothing.

Jen

mitchaa

Perhaps your depression and anxiety is due to your work and you worrying that you're going to be sacked.

If i were you, i'd go into work to see what they have to say. This way you'll get a better night sleep tonight as at least you'll know what the situation is and you wont be left guessing.

The guessing game will definitely be contributing to your anxiety/depression.

Best form of action is to grip the bull by the horns and get it over and done with. No point worrying about it. If you're sacked then so be it, at least you can then spend tomorrow looking for a new job

top_drawer_2

hi,

My depression and anxiety is not down to work, I only started little awhile ago. The job itself is very stressful and there is no breathing space, its a call centre and they are very pushy about having you on the phones all the time....

Either way the training lady rang and said she wants to see me tommorrow afternoon for a "discussion about completing training" not a clue whether she means that they are going to say I have to come in with full attendance or sack me or what ....

Its unlikely I will be looking for another job if I lose this one - I need to concentrate on exams etc and get through the begining of this, experience says that the first weeks or so are the worst and then the AD's kick in and things improve from there.

Jen

Horace

Jen - if you are in a union speak to them now, in fact speak to them anyway. If you are dismissed for being ill then the union and/or ACAS can help you bring a case to the Employment Tribunal for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.

I would also be speaking to the Benefits people because you may be eligible for some Disability Living Allowance for your depression/anxiety. They will even help you fill in the forms.

Good luck and hope this helps.

top_drawer_2

hi,

How would I go about contacting them? I know they have an office in my workplace but I can't really just wander through...

I have spoken the the SU; they are going to help me tackle the HB form etc.

Who would I need to see about benefits? should I go to the JSA or what ...

Jen

pennypinchingpenguin

hello, spotted this thread and had to add comment. i worked in a call centre for 4 years and twice was off with long term sickness due to depression and anxiety. i had background issues behind this but the job itself sets up the worst kind of stress ive ever experienced. i walked out one day after feeling like i wanted to slit my wrists during a half hour abusive call from a lovely customer. i realised no job was worth that.
i really think you are better off out of it. it will only make your depression and anxiety worse - you are already experiencing that after only one week. im not sure there is much protection while in training but i would speak to your guidance tutors re financial help as well. they should be able to advise on grants or loans available to help meantime. i know it may be hard financially without the job but really it will help your health recover rather than hinder it further. call centres should offer more support to their staff re stress seeing as most of it is caused by their stupid policies anyway.
sorry. anyway wish you all the best, good luck x

top_drawer_2

hi PPP.

What can I say?!?! the money looked good and it looked easy ... i have had depression for awhile, I thought it had cleared up but obviously not.

Its the endless call; the constant beeping and ur off again, I just have no control over anything, the stupidity of some of the customers and how rude they are to me. I dont even control the air conditioning or when I can go for a break and all they bang on about is targets. It all just stresses me out beyond belief.

I will have to see what happens tommorrow but think i will be looking for another job shortly.

Jenny

pennypinchingpenguin

yeh the money is usually good. they should add in the t&c's of employment;
'extra holidays when you reach the point of insanity! (small print; may or may not be paid depending on how company feels on any given day...) i think the job itself is stressful enough as it is but when you already have depression it just escalates it. both my sisters have worked for the call centre i did at somepoint - one still does and she has had 2 months off recently for same reason. other sister lasted 9 months and was sacked for 2 days sickness. what was a joke about that was probationary peroid was 6 months. she immediately got promoted and then instead of 1st call which should have been written warning, she got sacked. technically this was due to still being in probation but actually she was out by 3 months but wasnt signed off because her team had no manager so were not signed off! she was going to take to tribunal but didnt follow through as was worried would interfere with her new job. she would have wiped the floor with them otherwise. the one thing i learned from them is they make the rules up as they go along and change them to suit. i hope you find something else that suits you better and that you enjoy without having to put up with abuse!

top_drawer_2

hi,

I went in for the meeting this afternoon and they seemed to be really trying to be understanding etc (not very well tbh) but saying that if I want to go back it would have to be to re-do the training and on the same hours and conditions as what I have been on these past few weeks. She also suggested that I should resign "if I wanted to concentrate on my studies."

I dont know what to do tbh. I dont think I can do what they want at all and Im not sure I will be able to in the near future.

Then she went off to speak to HR and said that I will need to go back in for another meeting at 3pm on Tuesday.

I havent a clue what to do; if I resign will that mean I won't be able to get any help from the benefits people? Can I then tell them to sack me or what? what are they likely to say on Tuesday?

Jen