Work Dilemma

[WoWisGreat]

Ok, first off, I'm posting on a brand new account because I don't want this associated with my username on the off chance anyone tries to connect the dots. If a mod wants to query this, PM me or drop me an email.


Basically I've been suffering from a fairly serious deteroation in my mental health over the last few months, it's caused me a variety of problems at work from being late on multiple occasions (mostly within a few minutes of my start time), to a couple of angry outbursts after speaking to difficult customers. It finally reached a peak when in a fit of paranoia, I searched for documents with my name on them and upon discovering a record kept by my manager (named in such a way as to clearly identify me), which I opened and then erased the contents.

That obviously got me into trouble and landed me a demotion and pay cut, since then I've felt that people are deliberately finding fault with what I do, for example, the other day I went "oh, such and such is leaving already, wonder if they're ok". It got taken back to the person who'd left and reported as "oh WowisGreat is complaining that you were skiving off" and this person yelled at me as soon as I got into work. Tried mentioning this to my manager and it got totally turned around into "it's all your fault, stop complaining or we'll make more of an issue of your timekeeping than we already have"

I'm at my wits end, working here really isn't helping my mental health, but nor would staying at home I also don't know whether what's going on in my head is causing me to take things the wrong way.

[Clunk]

See a doctor.

[Salazaar]

See a doctor.

+1 Without a professional diagnosis you a) have a far worse chance of recovering from your problem and b) are screwed from a legal standpoint if your work tries to make an issue of it.

[suomi]

+2 u should better consult with a doctor

[handscombmp]

+3 about consulting doctor.

You stand better from all angles on that.

[0iD]

If you have a certified diagnosis, then that gives you certain rights with your employer under UK employment law.

[WoWisGreat]

I've already seen a doctor, am on fairly hefty medication and have finally been able to see a therapist, but I'm really worried that help won't arrive soon enough

I don't know if there is much more I can do, I've told work what's happening, I've been telling them for months prior to the incident but they really don't grasp what it means when you say you're paranoid, suffering from disorganised thoughts and generally lacking the motivation to carry on living.

[0iD]

The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act specifically protects people suffering from a mental illness from discrimination in employment. The Act protects individuals who are suffering from a long term (12 months) clinically well recognised mental illness which has a substantial effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities. The Act also covers individuals who have suffered from a mental illness in the past but who have now made a full recovery.

The protection from discrimination applies both to individuals who apply for work and to individuals already employed who begin to suffer from a mental illness. Although the definition of disability is generally considered to exclude employees who are suffering from generalised stress, it will often include individuals who are suffering from clinical depression and related disorders.

The employer is required to make reasonable adjustments to the working environment in order to enable an employee suffering from a mental illness to take up employment or to continue in employment. These adjustments might include a reduction in the working hours or a change in job duties. In practical terms, it is always best for the employer to meet up with the employee and discuss with them whether it would be helpful to make adjustments.

The strongest defence for an employer in any discrimination claim is that they appointed the best person for the job on the basis of relevant experience, skills and qualifications (and that the medical conditions of the various applicants were simply not a consideration). The position of the employer is strengthened if they have an equal opportunities policy under which individual applicants are assessed against a person specification setting out required skills and qualifications. The employer who relies upon a more impressionistic informal approach and rejects an employee with a past history of mental illness faces a significant risk of a claim for compensation for disability discrimination.

Get in touch with a mental health charity like MIND

[sammyc]

Sorry to hear you're having problems at least you are doing all you can by seeing the doc etc. Have you been on the meds long enough for them to kick in to the full, & allowed for possible side effects?
Does sound as if work are less than sympathetic. Is there any one person there you get on with well enough; someone who understands & can give you an honest opinion on how much they think is 'you' (you may not be exaggerating some things, that may be how they are).
Not sure if you mean sick leave has been discussed, but if you would rather stick at it then hang in there & give the therapy & meds a chance, confide in family/friends if possible & keep us posted.

[Whiternoise]

Sounds like you've got a bum job too. Get out of that place asap and you'll feel instant relief. Stress isn't going to help you at all, and work is going to be a primary factor. If you can find another job (though that'll cause stress in the process no doubt) with people who won't be arsey then so much the better.

Otherwise, keep up with the GP and the therapist and take it from there.

[Singh400]

+1 on see GP. Get your GP to back you and ask to so a councillor/psych to discuss your issues. I would also keep a record of what is being said to you by your employers, more so if they KNOW about your condition. Pretty sure they just can't piss on you like that.

[Jay]

I was in a job that was going to end up making me very ill. I handed my notice in and have 2 days left! I feel much better about myself and everyone around me has said that I seem much happier and look better.

I am really sorry to hear you have these issues. No one needs to go through what you are going through right now. If you are too ill to work you need to go back to your GP and tell him everything you have told us. I know that GPs don't like to sign people off ill any more (My GP sent me back into work with an uncast broken leg and Grade 3 Ankle Sprain that they left to long to operate on!) but to me it sounds like you are not quite ready to be in work.

Never forget you work to live, not live to work.

[GoNz0]

well said jay, time for a holiday. work will make life hard for you, how could they understand unless they have been there, most think its an excuse, if you blew up at a customer then you can no longer work with them, that changes the job and chance is it will make you worst.

tbh the only jobs that can really cater for ilness are in the public sector like the local councils, ones with big unions etc. the private sector doesnt stand a chance :s

[shadowmaster]

tbh the only jobs that can really cater for ilness are in the public sector like the local councils, ones with big unions etc. the private sector doesnt stand a chance :s

Even though the public sector tends to pay less, but sometimes I think its worth it because of how relaxed some of the jobs are. Also if you rise up the pay becomes pretty good as well.

[TK29]

I think you're doing the right thing - getting help, but ..

Is it the right job for you?
Is the job contributing to your condition?

[Salazaar]

Even though the public sector tends to pay less, but sometimes I think its worth it because of how relaxed some of the jobs are. Also if you rise up the pay becomes pretty good as well.

I've got to agree with that, I've been working for a county council for six months now. The pay could be much better but it makes up for it in so many other ways.