I left my old job six months ago with a settlement agreement after years of bullying, crap management and a very badly handled grievance (lies told, notes of meetings doctored etc) following a serious episode of depression exacerbated by my work situation (I suffer from mental health issues and have done for over 20 years - my employer was well aware of this). I have a written report from an Occupation Health doctor that the last episode was caused by my treatment at work. I was off for eight months before I left and was very poorly indeed.
Having taken time out to recover properly I am now applying for other jobs, but am finding I am being rejected when prospective new employers find out about my sickness record. My understanding from ACAS and my union is that no one can ask about sickness until after a job offer has been made.
The last rejection came before the prospective employer had seen the occupational health report they ordered - they have said the report wasn't produced following their withdrawal of job offer, although I know for a fact that my GP had already responded to their Occ Health's request with a medical report on me.
I am a member of a union but am finding they are absolutely hopeless - it's been six weeks since my latest rejection before they finally contacted me saying they might have time next week to consider my situation. They only emailed me after I had eventually called head office to get a response.
There are several excellent jobs available locally right now at my level that I am absolutely qualified for (they are rare in my location) and I am being successful at getting interviews and being offered jobs (three job offers required me to relocate 200 miles away and I wasn't quite ready to, so I turned them down - wish I hadn't now!)
Is there anything at all I can do to get round this? I fear I may never work again unless I leave my home and DH and go and work somewhere else (it's not an option for my DH to move jobs - he is in a very niche role).
I am in my early fifties so the prospect of starting yet again at the bottom on minimum wage and working my way back up to my current level is not attractive. I am also very aware of being out of the workplace for an increasing length of time.
How do I get back to work? Many thanks for any advice.
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Getting a new job after disability-related sickness
6 replies
Arkengarthdale · 11/11/2016 13:05
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