Should I Just Leave?

[mizfiesta]

I have been off sick from work for three weeks now with anxiety and depression. I feel my job was contributing to my illness and I felt I couldn't cope at work. My confidence was zero. I'm a support worker (how ironic).

The same thing happened last year and I was off work for five months, but as jobs were thin on the ground, as soon as I started feeling better I returned to work. Not surprisingly then that seven months later the same thing happened and I'm off again.

I'm worried sick as I know now that I can't return to the job. Even the thought of it sends me sick. And I guess if I'm not up to the job then I need to step away from it. I'm off on sick pay just now but Human Resources will no doubt, in time, send me to Occupational Health who will assess me. I'm going to be honest and tell them I can't cope with the job. HR (sticking rigidly to the sickness absence procedure) will then offer to redeploy me, but as there aren't many jobs available I don't think that will happen. The other option is medical retirement which doesn't mean a lump sum for me or anything like that as I've only been an employee in my current job for three years and I'm not in their pension scheme. Medical retirement for me will basically mean that I'm deemed as not fit for the job and I'll be 'let go'. My question is, should I just put my notice in while I'm off sick and leave the job voluntarily? I'm worried medical retirement will be on my record and I'll never get another job - I'm only 41. Also if I quit my job now my sick pay will obviously stop and I'll have to go and apply for benefits which I don't even know I'd be entitled to if I leave the job? Don't know if I could handle applying for benefits at the moment and going through the process as it takes me all my time to leave the house at moment. I'd be grateful for any advice.

[bednobs]

i would be inclined to wait it out, at least for a bit, till your head is clearer.
I have been in a situation in the past where i was too unwell to do my job, and my redeployed job is great - 100 times better!

[vallaw]

Wait for redeployment offer. If you leave of your own accord, you won't be entitled to benefit.

[fraggle08]

I would not quit at this stage if I were you.
Do you think it is your job that causes the illness directly, or is it that you are unwell anyway and the job stresses just don't help? Either way, is there anything in particular that could be changed at work to make things better fo you? If so, perhaps its worth having a conversation with HR about that... they are generally there to help, and if you are good at what you do they will not want to let you go

[mizfiesta]

Thanks all for your replies which are all advising me to pretty much wait it out. I guess it's the sensible idea just now. I don't think the job is at the root of my issues but it's definitely contributing to my stress levels and making me more unhappy. It's a very difficult decision knowing if I leave my job I could be looking at long term unemployment due to the jobs market being what it is, but if I look too far forward just now, everything seems pretty bleak anyway. Just the way my mind is just now.

[Tefler]

I would be inclined to talk this through with my doctor, if I were you. Is there anybody in HR whom you could talk to, as well? I know many places of work which bend over backwards to help people who ask for help - but companies, unfortunately, are not so proactive as to offer aid just because it's needed.

[Gavmacp]

Hello,
I had terrible issues with stress. Tried quite a few things without success. Discovered Emotional Freedom Technique. I thought is sounded absolutely weird but when you are in a black hole you will try anything. Well after a couple of sessions I felt great that was a few years ago and life is wonderful. It is on YouTube but would recommend finding a good practitioner that understands the subtleties of this therapy.
I hope if you try this it works for you and you discover your true self.
Much love,
Gavin

[mizfiesta]

Thanks Gavin, I'll certainly look it up x

[cheekygirlcarol]

I know how you feel. I got paid off on long term sick which I did not think they could do but they can. After 2 weeks it is termed a long term illness.
If you leave a job voluntary you will not get jobseekers allowance. I have done this but at that time there were plenty of jobs. Hope you feel better soon as I suffer from anxiety and depression and it isnt nice.

[mizfiesta]

Thanks Cheekygirl, much appreciated x

[boxtops]

Don't leave, mizfiesta - wait until you get an Occy Health decision about whether or not you can return to the job. Yes you may have medical retirement on your record, but surely you wouldn't be wanting to return to that type of job - so you can explain that when you apply for different jobs. It is not dreadful for you to have been working in an environment you thought you could manage, only to find that in practice you couldn't hack it - I couldn't do what you do. Other employers will understand, if you are applying say for an office job - caring's not everyone's forté and if you can't do it, you can't. Stick out your sick leave, but use it as an opportunity to decide what your new options are, once you know that you are to be "retired" from the care job.

[emu777]

It's tough what you're going through but I think at the moment you should concentrate on yourself and not the job. You can't go back at the moment and you don't want to go back...yes the whole occupational health thing can be stressful but remember they're just doing their job too. They have to monitor the situation and they can't force you to go back, only make recommendations...what does your GP say? Is he/she supportive? I'm sure they are and are signing you off work..have you discussed medication/ counselling? I think counselling would really help you figure this all out. Work out what's causing your anxiety and depression..yes work contributes to your stress and you may well decide to leave...but if you were feeling better in yourself would you be able to cope with work? You'll be able to work all this out with a good therapist..ask your GP to refer you. You can tell Occ Health that this is what you're doing and that should keep them at bay for a while! They just have to tick all the boxes and make sure you're getting the right treatment -even get your GP to write a letter if you find going in to meet Occ Health too stressful.
Remember it's always hard to leave the house when you're off sick..you're afraid you'll bump into someone from work and have to explain yourself!
You're going to be fine, everyone suffers from anxiety and you're brave enough to recognise it and deal with it.
While you're off sick keep an eye out for other jobs or courses...if you can stay out of work until you find another job that might be the best solution..avoiding medical retirement, etc.
Just take it one day at a time..and focus on getting better for you and not the job...you will make changes and you'll look back on this time as when you took control of your life. You can do it!

[Postdog]

Dunno if it's been said, but as you wouldn't be entitled to a lump sum, you would be entitled to benefits if medically retired. if you just leave you'd get nothing.

[alexismichard934]

You may try to ask http://www.draytonmedicalservices.co.uk/ for advise on a variety of HR matters such as employment health assessments and sickness absence management. Media URL: http://www.draytonmedicalservices.co.uk
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