Work

[Catherine21]

Hi I work as a social worker and have had depression.  Was off for approx 4 months. Returned in jan on phased return.  Then started feeling low again.  Told my manager as she wanted me to be honest.  I had been under occy health as well who had been great up till that point.  Occy health phoned me and said she didn't think I was able to carry out my role.  Ended up going to gp as work wanted me to.  She signed me off for a week even though I didn't want that.  Work has now said that I can't return yet and occy health told me yesterday that they don't believe that I would be able to do my job for at least 18 months?!?!  Also that due to this there is a high risk of me losing my job!!  I feel able to return to work and want to and now I find they might sack me over it!  Has anyone else had this happen to them?  _-+

[smokey]

I've not been in that exact position before but I've lost a few jobs in the past after being off long term with depression. One I was sacked for a minor apparently unrelated thing after I returned and another was basically paid off to leave as they had replaced me. They can't legally sack you for being ill though and if you feel that you are ok to return to work it doesn't really matter what the OH says or thinks. That probably doesn't help much but hope it gets sorted xx

[Catbrian]

I was in social work for a number of years, in the end, it burnt me out.

Catherine, I agree with Smokey, they can't sack you due to ill health and I would also agree that it doesn't matter what OH are saying...anyway, who are they to say you won't be fit for duties for another 18mths?  Are any of them Psychiatrists?  Do they know something we don't?  At the end of the day, that decision is down to your GP and you.  I suppose, being a local authority, they might consider suspending you if they were adamant you were not yet fit enough.

The thing is, you said yourself, things were going okay under the phased return, but then you did start to feel low again.  People don't appreciate just how difficult the job is. The last thing you want is to reach burn out.  Is it possible to go back part time for a while?  Are you meeting anyone for support while you're off?  Have the OH been providing you with therapy of some sort?

I hope you manage to sort something out.  Welcome to the Forum!

[Catherine21]

Thanks for the replies.  I am awaiting contact from management for a meeting.  Currently on enforced sick leave as not signed off but not allowed back.  Currently feeling very frustrated as no one seems to be telling me what they have decided. 

[Catbrian]

That's no way to treat anyone and I am sure it is made to feel worse on top of your depression.  Are you not part of a Union?  Maybe you could put something in writing, they might then be obliged to reply within a certain period of time 

[Catherine21]

I am in a union and now have someone assigned to come to meetings with me except I don't know when the meeting will be!!  They seem to be stringing it out a bit.....

[Catbrian]

The union rep should be keeping you informed

[Sweetpea]

I agree the union rep should keep you informed and try to hurry up the appointment, its not right you are being kept hanging about in this way.

S x x x x