Victim of arson, when to return to work?

[Cargottorched]

Hiya

Has anyone here ever been a victim of arson/ harassment?

I have had 2 weeks off work but the incident was at work and I feel panicky about going back on Monday. Not sure whether to get the GP to sign me off?

Feel like I'm stupid like I need to just move on with my life but the police have filed the report and so I will never know who did this.

For context my car got set fire to (on cctv) then a malicious email followed (no direct threat though).

I honestly feel like I don't want to ever go back but I can't afford to quit my job.

Has anyone else experienced similar and how did you deal with it?

I didn't go back. I kept trying but was always having panic attacks, so ended up signed off for month then changing jobs

Have you got any suspicions of who it might be? Did this happen in broad daylight when you were at work? Thats shocking.

Get yourself signed off for a month and see how you feel. You've been through a horrible ordeal x

Have your work put anything in place for enhanced safety? If the arson happened at work and the email came to work presumably the link is your job?

@pinkcobweb I've had several panic attacks, which although I have general anxiety I have never suffered before. The thought of going back is awful.

No suspicions really, maybe an ex employee who resigned after being investigated for theft but doesn't match the person in the cctv.

There's not much work can do, I start and finish and different times anyway.

Single parent earn a good wage and can't afford to quit. Wish I could.

Happened in broad daylight. They were wearing a mask. People keep asking me have I fallen out with anyone and I can honestly say no. I think that makes it worse. I have no idea who it was

Oh gosh that's awful. Are you having any support for the panic attacks? Might be worth a chat with occupational health.

Just keep reliving the moment I turned the corner and realised it was my car. Can hear the fire and smell it whenever I think of it.

What sort of work is this? Is it a job where a high level of risk is common (prisons, police, social services, some council roles etc) or normally innocuous (bakery, leisure centre etc)? I suppose I mean, where could the threat have come from? What was in the email?

Could you take more time off and job hunt? I'm not sure I'd be happy to go back either.

@SoddingWeddings nope nothing like that. Middle manager in transport.

Email along the lines of "glad your car got set fire to" fake email address of course. Police not interested

I'm sorry, that is worrying. I would be looking around for a new role.

How did they do it?

@NotSuchASmugMarried

They went to walk past my car, turned back and clocked the reg. Had a look about. Pulled a bottle out their coat pocket filled with petrol and tipped it all over the bonnet. Then lit a bit of tissue on fire and threw it at the car.

Thats horrific and I’m not sure I could return to work without any conclusion to it!

You should take as much time as you need! Really feel for you, what an awful thing to have to face!

Only thing similar was a young lady at work being murdered on the premises by her husband. The company were brilliant, counselling, police support etc but not one person took anytime off. We decided not to let the bastard win. We all met up at a coffee shop and walked in together and left together every night. Completely different in that he was arrested at the scene and you don't know who the perpetrators were but maybe you could meet up with colleagues for solidarity?