can my life get any worse?

[lou]

I have suffered on and off with depression for more than 20 years? i'm 40.
i assess and instruct in hairdressing at a local college and have done for the last 8 years, i have an excellent sick record all things considered. but recently they made massive changes to my job role without my consent or prior consultation! this led to me becoming the victim of a hate campaign by several students in a group that i instruct (they use the word instruct to get around the fact that its actually teaching but without the benefits of a teacher) they posted vicious comments on face book - i was a whore, needed to get laid etc etc.. the students were not expelled and the group was taken away from me, and i was given  a different group. this really knocked my confidence and self esteem and led to a major episode of depression and i was signed off work for 3 months. i went back to work early as i felt that i was ready - i could of stayed off for 6 months on full pay - but didn't
i went back on a phased return for a month starting in November, my doctor had suggested that i do not teach, Sorry instruct for at least 6 months. i informed work of this, which was pretty much ignored and  i was back teaching on the 3rd week of my phased return. i've already been sworn at by a student! and i only instruct 8 hours a week the rest of the time i assess students in the workplace. work sent me to occupational health who have said that i am not fit to teach under the "fit to teach" act 2000.
so today i have been called to HR to be informed that due to the occupational health report my choices are i go back to my doctor and get him to say that i am fit to teach or they will cut my hours and my pay! only they are cutting it by 11.5 hours a week i only instruct for 8! occupational health have said i can do all other aspects of my job role except teach sorry instruct.
there is another assessor/instructor who has the same job description, contract and pay but does not teach,they can support her but not me!
I have come home unable to eat as i feel sick,i'm manic running around the house tidying up i feel if i stop i'll crack up! and i can't see my self sleeping at all for the next few days - work want a decision by 8.30 am on monday morning!
i'm not sure how i'm going to cope with all this and feel i'm going to go under again.
please help

[Ezel]

((((Hugs)))) sounds like it is a vicious circle which wont be helping.

[lou]

thanks for the support  ^&^

[nickynoo]

That all sounds really horrible, I can't believe people can be so nasty......I hope it all works out ok in the end. Thinking of you ^&^

[SleepyCat]

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time at work.

Are you in a union, or can you join one? - most unions will help you even with a situation that occurred before you joined. Given a colleague in the same position is being supported, you have strong evidence that you are being treated unfairly.

I would try to get in touch with someone as soon as you can and also get an emergency appointment with your GP to discuss your options re: teaching/instructing.

[Zaf]

Hi and welcome

I would totally agree with Sleepycat

[lbruk]

Sounds completely unreasonable to me.

I would have a think, are you in the state of mind to be able to make that decision? The equalities act probably does protect you, so it's worth speaking to a legal advisor from citizens advice or somewhere else, but they cannot force you to make a decision like that whilst suffering as you are. Do they know you have depression?  I would tell them that you are not prepared to make that decision without being able to consult your legal advisor first.

[Ally]

I am in a similar positing (although it would not seem to be as extreme).
You should definitely enquier about unions and in the meantime, go and speak with your local Citizens Advice (CAB) and try to get some advice.
You should also go back to your GP and discuss being signed off again as this may put any decision making by your employer on hold, in the short term at least and give you some time to contact unions, etc.

Good luck and stay positive. You'll get through this
xxx &*(

[Glen53]

Yep. Speak  to the CAB about all this. If they know you are suffering from depression and they are still treating you like this they may be breaching the DDA (Diasbility Discrimination Act)

I hope things all work out for you x

[Lol]

Lou how incredible harrowing for you to have had this experience. I feel it was very unfair for those pupils not to have been expelled but rather moved on, you must have felt so incredibly unsupported and dismissed!

If you feel you are going under it is very important that you are able to make youself heard about your situation to the appropriate body. What aid is available to you to do this? What an awful experience I'm sorry you are battling through this.

[lou]

Thanks everybody for your support, great to know people care.X i have been to my union who have been great.work know i have been suffering with depression, which just makes the whole thing even more unreal that they would treat me this way?!
I am going to get some legal advice, i break up next wk from work until jan thank god -dont think i would of coped otherwise.
work have decided not to cut my hours and salary but they have still forced me back into the classroom, granted with support, but thats not what i wanted - not sure if its even more humiliating having another member of staff babysit me!
i dont feel as bad, still dont want to eat much or sleeping very well and i just feel really flat and miserable. would like to hide

[Zaf]

Great to hear your union is being helpful and taking legal advice is definitely very positive, not easy when you feel grim, well done you :)

[lbruk]

yep, good for you for speaking to them, that is a hard thing to do :)

[lou]

will keep you posted if it only helps others in this position x ^&^

[SleepyCat]

I'm glad you have a partial solution at least.

I'd guess maybe your employer thought you were vulnerable, but getting the union's support and seeking legal advice will make them see they can't treat you unfairly.

I hope you will feel refreshed after the Christmas break and manage to get things sorted afterwards.