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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can I leave a job on universal credits

43 replies

Melonjellies · 20/01/2025 09:58

I'm working 30 hours a week around my children. My work has become so toxic I feel heavily depressed and crying all the time.

Can I hand my notice in and request support to find a mor suitable job with UC?

Also the 7am starts and weekends are not working anymore I need week work.

How would this work?

OP posts:
Pumpkinpie1 · 20/01/2025 09:59

Find a job first

Agix · 20/01/2025 10:00

You'll be sanctioned on UC if you don't have a good reason for leaving a job. You'd have to explain the bullying etc you are experiencing.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 20/01/2025 10:00

Start looking for a new job immediately. Then leave the old one when you have anew one lined up. Hopefully it won't be long

FoxInTheForest · 20/01/2025 10:01

Contact universal credit via your journal and explain what you've said here. Ask what the process will be. Unless you can get signed off sick by a doctor for the stress then I would assume you'd have to find a new job first though.
Can you actually afford to go 4-8-12 etc weeks with 30 hours pay less if it takes a while to find a new role? Even if universal credit top you up it will only be 60% of your current earnings.

Original poster
Melonjellies · 20/01/2025 10:03

The problem is I need help to look for more work and indeed isn't great. It's so defeating.

OP posts:
Iwontlethtesungodownonme · 20/01/2025 10:04

How old are your children?

Mrsttcno1 · 20/01/2025 10:04

Agree with others, find another job first. UC aren’t great at providing support with this anyway, so you’d be better off finding another support site or adviser to assist with that.

Original poster
Melonjellies · 20/01/2025 10:05

6 and 9

OP posts:
Ollybob · 20/01/2025 10:05

You may be better off going off sick and looking for something else if it's really affecting you so much.
Ideally though stick it out til you find another if you are able to as it is easier to move jobs when you are still employed.
I feel for you though as I moved jobs earlier this year as I thought my current one was likely to go under, jumped ship to a WFH job and it was awful, never cried at the thought of going to work before but thankfully found something new in a couple of weeks, had I been able to afford it I would have quit much earlier.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 20/01/2025 10:09

Melonjellies · 20/01/2025 10:03

The problem is I need help to look for more work and indeed isn't great. It's so defeating.

Best get the ball rolling so.

Ollybob · 20/01/2025 10:09

Depending on what area of work you do it may be worthwhile contacting companies directly who you may like working for or using their individual career websites as not all advertise on Indeed.

UnrealisticGoals25 · 20/01/2025 10:10

I did once, I told them my childcare had fallen through which is true. I didn't get sanctioned

fluffyblanky · 20/01/2025 10:11

What kind of work are you looking for?

You will find something, have you spoken to anyone at work about the bullying? (HR?)

Sinkintotheswamp · 20/01/2025 10:12

Sadly not. You couldn't do it on tax credits either.
Being signed off sick might buy you some time to look for a different job. It's very hard, you have my sympathy.

Original poster
Melonjellies · 20/01/2025 10:18

I do health care. I have never ever been depressed. This last 5 days I feel like life isn't worth it for me. So I know its getting bad. I feel so sad. 2 fiesty women who work fast have been really off with me. They grt complaints but manager turns a blind eye due to staffing. They've got a couple of people grinded down. I did speak to manager. She won't be able to get rid of the other women so it's really about me getting over it or accepting I can't stay.

I'm struggling with the early starts then coming to the horrible atmosphere is awful

OP posts:
ilovecushionsandflowers · 20/01/2025 10:24

I'm in a similar situation

Following

Sdpbody · 20/01/2025 10:25

They'll be plenty of places after HCA.... Start applying for some new jobs....

Rinoachicken · 20/01/2025 10:25

id be careful of taking lots of time off sick to look for a new job - that will show on your references to a new employer

Original poster
Melonjellies · 20/01/2025 10:28

Thing is I feel every care home and nursing home will be the same. I dont know what other settings I could try but the local hospital etc not looking for anyone.

OP posts:
IVFmumoftwo · 20/01/2025 10:29

Best of going off sick and then looking for another job.

HPandthelastwish · 20/01/2025 10:31

Well you won't know until you try. I'd try a different care home first
What about care in the community and house visits instead.

What other skills do you have?
Can you sign up to an agency or bank at the hospital.

Soggydog · 20/01/2025 10:45

With your skills could you look at a special school with complex needs children? If you kids can cope with wrap around care then the timings could work really well for you and you would have holidays off with them. Pay in special schools tends to be a little better paid than mainstream.

Rooroobear · 20/01/2025 10:50

You might not get sanctioned if you explain but you’ll be expected to get a job. They won’t accept you leaving a job because they’ll see this as you making yourself intentionally unemployed

RaininSummer · 20/01/2025 10:50

Make sure that you have raised the issues at work with your manager, the union if relevant and done everything you can as if you just leave it will not be looked at well. Start applying for other jobs too.

lifebyfaith · 20/01/2025 10:58

Could you do home care for the time being? Agencies always always crying out for staff. You drive to people's homes and support them with personal care etc. You could do that while looking for something more suitable.