Hand notice or be dismissed?

[Criminy]

Last July I suddenly & spontaneously started having seizures, and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Work said I wasn't fit for work until my seizures were under control (I work in a lab). Finally got control of them in January, went through return to work procedures, took a few weeks of annual leave that I had accrued, & then was supposed to start back at work.

Unfortunately, 2 weeks before I was due back I ended up being admitted to a mental health ward. I've been here 12 weeks now.

I've just had a letter from work saying they have arranged an Ill Health (capability hearing) for next week.

I'm thinking that giving up work is probably the best thing to do. I hope it is anyway.

The question I have is that would it be better to go through with the capability hearing & get dismissed, it would it be better just to hand my notice in?

Any help very much appreciated!

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

Are you planning on going back to work at some point? A lot of employers are sympathetic and may want you to return to work, even on a part time basis. Don't assume the worst. I would wait for the meeting and then make a decision.

[FishWithABicycle]

You need to decide what your next step is going to be if you definitely can't stay with this employer. Are you likely to be considered too ill for any kind of work and given appropriate benefits? Or will you be expected to find employment. If the latter, you will definitely be better off waiting for the formal process as resigning would mean they might consider you made yourself voluntarily unemployed and your entitlements will be reduced.

[Criminy]

Thankyou for your reply.

The letter says "the issue to be raised is that your attendance has reached an unsustainable level over a substantial period of time and therefore the Trust needs to consider the continuation of your employment. You should be aware that one possible outcome of this hearing might be to terminate your employment on the grounds of capability due to ill health."

At the moment I'm thinking I'll be a SAHM for a bit, and then hopefully go back to uni to hopefully do a full degree, and then work. Obviously I've no idea if that's the way it will actually go though!

[FishWithABicycle]

At the moment I'm thinking I'll be a SAHM for a bit, and then hopefully go back to uni to hopefully do a full degree, and then work.

with that plan, it might be better for your future employment prospects to resign now. Do you have an earning partner or sufficient funds of your own to support you through this?

[Criminy]

At the moment, me going to work makes a loss. It costs more in childcare than my take-home pay is. DC1 starts school in September, & even then childcare for both DCs will still cost more. Plus we'd be a bit stuffed because we're struggling to find before-school childcare that starts early enough. So from that respect it makes sense for me to be a SAHM.

The things that have put me off staying at home are firstly, that our marriage has been a bit rocky, and secondly, that I'm worried I won't get another job after a few years at home.

[Elizabeth267]

I'd definitely recommend you hand in notice, with things as they are in public sector it's likely you'll be dismissed in afraid. Better to leave with an unblemished record. Sorry things are so tough at the moment. :(

[Athenaviolet]

If you aren't fit for work how are you fit to look after Young dcs all day? I know this is sometimes possible but I think you shouldn't make a rash decision based on one letter. This will have repercussions that will affect your whole family for years.

You need good advice and to make a well thought out decision.