help - do I go to work??

Elle00

Hi Jen, sorry you're going through this. I wouldn't resign in your situation, I would visit my GP and ask for a sick note for work-related anxiety. Then the company can sack you during your sick note duration with your not having to return. The only way someone can quit a job and receive benefits without a sick note is if they're claiming as a lone parent.

Alternatively, if you feel well enough (as the above move will blight your CV), you could try making a go of it for a few weeks while applying for work at the local supermarkets etc. If you're qualified for call centre work and just explain that you find it a bit stressful while you're trying to study, I'm sure one of the supermarkets would love to have you. They offer night rates too which might be of interest financially.

gardnjam

Hi Jen,

I am very sorry to hear of the problems you are facing in your current employment. Before my current job I, too, worked in a call centre therefore I can certainly sympathise with your plight. Some people stick with the job but more often than not there tends to be an extremely high turnover of staff. The environment is not conducive to good Employer/Employee relationships and my impression was that whatever you do will never be good enough in the eyes of the management.

One of my colleagues recently mentioned to me that she had read an article stating that call centres are the sweatshops of the 21st century.

As someone above mentioned, to start looking for alternative employment may be a prudent course of action to take if you feel that A: you may resign, or B: you believe they may try and forcibly dismiss you. In the end it's got to be the choice that will best suit you and allow you to retain your sanity. In my time at the call centre I felt like throwing in the towel many a day, but I continued searching for a new job and as fate would have it two came up at the same time. Life is like that some times.

Hope everything works out.

top_drawer_2

hi,

I think I am probably going to have to let them sack me ... with the view that I will claim benefits. I am not well enough to go back to that at least not on the same terms and conditions that I was on before. I asked yesterday about reduced hours etc and they said outright No. They also implied quite heavily that should I be off at anytime again through training or my period of "graduation" then they would be watching and would come down heavily on me for it. I couldnt work under that, I already felt restricted with breaktime very limited and heavily supervised and even having to ask to go to the bathroom etc.

I can get a sick note for next week and although it wont look good on my cv I can limit the damage by saying I wanted to focus on my studies etc.

Any advice on this course of action?

Jenny

debsy42

Hi Jenny, I worked in a call centre upto a couple of years ago and ended up leaving to save my sanity. I think most call centres are the same, they want bums on seats and as many calls dealt with in as quick a time as possible. I ended up hating my job and used to feel sick to my stomach at the thought of having to go into work.

I really can't see that things will improve or change in any way for you, perhaps there is another line of work you can consider?

top_drawer_2

hi,

I only really need something to tide me over for a short while but what I dont know tbh. The suggestion about supermarkets is a good one but there are none close by. ASDA is miles out and last time I applied there I didnt get past the OTT interview (honestly how anyone can take a manager seriously when they are stupidly enthusistic about the "asda chant" I don't know!). Tesco not close by either and Aldi Never need staff.

I'm not sure I fancy pub work, shop work might be better but I think theyre gonna guess from my cv that Im not gonna be around long ...

I just need to get this meeting on Tuesday over with and then I can at least stop worry that somehow theyre going to Force me back to work.

Jenny

dmg24

Elle83 wrote: »

Hi Jen, sorry you're going through this. I wouldn't resign in your situation, I would visit my GP and ask for a sick note for work-related anxiety. Then the company can sack you during your sick note duration with your not having to return. The only way someone can quit a job and receive benefits without a sick note is if they're claiming as a lone parent.

Alternatively, if you feel well enough (as the above move will blight your CV), you could try making a go of it for a few weeks while applying for work at the local supermarkets etc. If you're qualified for call centre work and just explain that you find it a bit stressful while you're trying to study, I'm sure one of the supermarkets would love to have you. They offer night rates too which might be of interest financially.

This is not correct. When you apply for JSA, you will be given the opportunity to explain why you left your current employment. The decision maker will then decide whether to apply a 'sanction' to your JSA or not. In my experience, in the situation that you describe, they will not apply a sanction.

Are you a full time student? If so, do you have children? Your status as a student may have an effect on claiming benefits x

top_drawer_2

hi,

"apply a saction" does that mean they will stop it ....

There is a Huge controversy over my status atm; I am on the computer at the uni as being "exams without attendance" part-time. I am not getting any funding from anywhere - student loans, access to learning or my LEA.

Jenny

dmg24

I remember you saying about your uni status now, difficult one ...

Applying a sanction means they will stop it for up to 26 weeks. However, I really don't think that you would have a sanction applied in the given circumstances, especially as your doc is aware of your situation x

top_drawer_2

hi,

Well they dismissed me... saying that it seems unlikely due to my illness that I will be able to cope with the demands of the job (TBH its true and I'm SO relieved to be out of there) but now I have to work out the financial side of things.

A lady at the SU helped me to complete my HB form and tommorrow I will make a claim for JSP.

How long is all this likely to take? what next?

Thanks

Jen

Bismarck

sounds like it was for the best. life's too short!

take care