To consider not going back?

[Tigger365]

I’ve been off sick for a while (few months).
If I go back, it can only be part time, instead of full due to changing health.
Numbers are immaterial but, if I stay at home, I would receive £1000, but if I go back to work I will receive £1060. I use about £40 in petrol going to and from work.

I love my job, and I really think I need the social side. But my health is not going to get better.

WIBU to consider not going back to work?

Tigger how many hours would you be required to do?

Could you work from home at all?

There are hidden costs to working, travel and more reliance on convenience food.

Also it depends on your personality type. Some people would be happy to plitter around baking and cooking from scratch and growing vegetables from seeds in little pots and it would drive some people mad.

It sounds like you do really want to go back. If you try it and it’s not doable, at least you’ll know for sure.

I’m not sure I really understand why you’re even considering not going back?

You love your job, you think it’ll benefit you to keep your hand in, it’s not going to leave you financially worse off, your manager is willing to bend over backwards to accommodate you.

Go back part time and gauge how well you cope. If it’s too much, then it sounds like your manager will make adjustments. If they can’t, or you really can’t cope, then make your exit.

I had to be retired due to health (I had a great boss who had helped all they could with adjustments but it wasn't enough). I found it was the financial side that I missed but more the social aspect, the sence of pride in doing something, being out of work has caused depression. If I was in your position I would try to return (if you find it too much you can finish). Have you looked at benefits that can help (Pip, extra tax credits for disabled, carers allowances).

Tigger365 I couldn't agree with you more about the left and right hand not knowing what they are doing - however I do know that even if you have been found 'unfit' in your most recent assessment, there is no guarantee that this will be the same outcome on your next assessment- especially as you say yourself that you ARE capable to do some part time work.
I have come across people who have been diagnosed with degenerative conditions, certified by hospital consultants- who are still found 'fit for limited work ' on their 2nd 3rd or even 4 th Work capability assessment. Even though their first assessment found them to be unfit ! The outcome seems to be entirely based around if the outsourced assessor has got their 'target' met that day !! I don't disagree with the theory of UC but the implementation and definitely the assessment system is completely unfair.
Please keep your job and don't put yourself through the stress of it !

And yes yes to claiming PIP. As you know it's not related to your income or if you work.

I’m sure most people would blast me for this but honestly if I were you I would stay home. The pay isn’t significantly greater than the difference if you were to stay home and less stress.

Or you could go back and see how it is and if you don’t like it, hand in your notice and your not done for unfair dismissal and at least you have it a go

Do you also get a pension if you work?

@ThighsRelief a minimum of 8
I think my personality is a very social one. I’m desperately missing the people. I’m fully miserable to be honest.

I do have a works pension and I have another 40 years before retirement age

Tigger are you only 27?

8 hours is probably doable and if you're a sociable person then I think you should at least try to go back. If you can't cope after you've tried well at least you tried.

I think aside from the money, you need to consider the mental health aspect, working will give you some structure to your day/ week, and allow you to have friendships, responsibilities and all the benefits that go with being in employment. I stopped working after I had our children and whilst lovely to spend time with them, I found I really missed having colleagues, and a life outside of home/ being mum. I would suggest politely that you don't let your disability define you, take the opportunity to be able to work within a supportive and flexible environment.

It’s not “free” money.

If you can manage physically and its not detrimental then surely it's better for your mh. What would you do all day at home!

you should go back to work, it is better for your mental health imo, you will feel useful.

OP if you love your job and you can go part time I would stay. I had a similar situation but I stayed at work and I'm much happier for it. I get social interaction and a sense of pride that I'm earning money.

Under a government driven by austerity, and with a likely recession looming, I think you'd be mad to give up a supportive job you love or rely on the generosity of the state. A state which regularly declares the terminally ill fit to work. It sounds like the people around you are a bit work shy tbh or of very limited ambition and life experience with their attitudes. Don't listen to them.

Plus a job you love is a good thing in and of itself, regardless of money. I know, I have one too! And I work part time to balance the fact that it's pretty demanding and can be full on, with a long commute. If you can find a balance that works, hang on in there!

OP many women do work effectively 'for nothing' after childcare - so in some ways a similar situation.

WOrk gives meaning and structure to our lives. I have been out of work a couple of times - and even though financially I was okay because of my partner, I used to weep watching everyone walking to work past my window!

It really cannot be brought down to cold numbers because it affects your entire future wellbeing and security. You should not assume benefits will continue to exist in the current climate - or that they will stay at the current level.

life is long - it is so difficult to find good part time work - I think you would be absolutely mad to walk away from a boss who is 'prepared to bend over backwards'

What if they say you are fit to work later and you can't find good work??

The money is kind of a wash so that doesnt really come into it for this decision.

However, a job you love and are good at plus what sounds like brilliant bosses sounds like heaven! It would be so much better for your mental health (which needs nurturing so much alongside physical issues) would be so much better for it. You say you miss the people and feel that you are the personality type to need that input - all adds up to a no-brainer imo.

If you find it too much, you can always change your mind later on.

If you can work then you should

I'd go back. You love your job, your good at your job, your boss would be supportive - all of these things are good for your mental health which can take a battering when you have long-term conditions. Also, you may earn more in the future but benefits are always very hard to get by on for a long time.

I honestly think that the secret to a (reasonably) happy life is having choices. If you stop working now then you will limit your options significantly because it will probably be extremely difficult to get back into a similarly satisfying job at a later stage. If you stay employed then you have options for different jobs, changing your hours, promotions etc and even quitting altogether. Once you've given up your job and stay on UC long term you are handing over a lot of power to a bunch of faceless strangers - whether you're still entitled, how much money you get, personal information about you. By staying in work you get more control over your own life and I think that in itself is worth a lot.

Keep the job for your mental health.