To feel this is just torturous?

[OffWorkandWorried]

I’m currently off work with anxiety/depression (work related). I’ve got 20 weeks left paid and then I’ll default to SSP (which I can’t afford to be on, so I need to sort something job wise before that point)
I need to leave my job because the moment I go back off sick leave, I’ll be on a PIP and then managed out/dismissed.

I apply for about 20-30 jobs a day. Anything and everything which matches my skills and which I could afford to do (ie the salary would cover my outgoings). I’m getting nowhere - and even when I wasn’t off sick, I was still getting knock backs. Occasionally I get shortlisted for interviews and usually get a rejection on the basis that another candidate just pipped me to the post (usually an internal candidate). I’m never given any other useful feedback aside from that.

I had an interview this week and I am fairly sure there were two internal candidates. The interview felt like a box ticking exercise tbh.

If I was dismissed, and had to apply for UC etc, I’d lose my flat - it wouldn’t cover my rent. I feel like I am fighting against the tide and every job applications feels like I am fighting for my life.

No idea what I would do tbh. I can’t stay with my family / friends so…where would that leave me?

It just feels like a slog. Mainly posting for traffic, sorry.

Thanks. What’s CAP?

Sorry - Christians Against Poverty

I'll say I am a Christian, but also that when I worked for Housing Benefit the whole department recommended them. They do free, impartial advice, mostly finance related (why I thought CAB might be best if you want to discuss current work situation too)

But Op. you say you are sick. You're signed off sick and unable to work. You won't suddenly become well if you secure a new job. Surely you'd be better off resigning and working on becoming well. And then apply for new jobs.

But if I resign, my financial situation will be even worse - once I have worked my notice (or been given PILON) then I wouldn’t be able to even apply for ESA/UC because I would have resigned.

I am signed off sick because of severe work related stress. The main trigger is my (current) job rather than work in general. I have to leave there but need to do so in a way that means I am not totally broke and destitute.

I will also say that I did mention resigning to my union and they strongly advised not to without another role to go to.

Hey @OffWorkandWorried I'm really sorry you're going through this. Having been signed off for 3 months last year with anxiety and depression I understand how hard it can be. I think you genuinely need a break from job hunting. Focus on your mental health and then when you're feeling back to yourself a bit more you might have more luck with the interview process. I certainly couldn't have sold myself in an interview when I was signed off as I didn't believe in myself at all.

Thank you xxx

A PIP and being managed out isn't an overnight process. So absolute worst case scenario is you go back to work and they pay you, that gives you longer than 20 weeks.

By the same token, defaulting on your rent and being evicted also isn't an overnight process.

Neither of these things are ideal I agree but it might help to stop you focusing on the 20 week deadline - in reality you have much much longer.

Take a breath, focus on getting better for the next 6 weeks, then start again.

Could your workplace re-deploy you to a different role? It may be worth speaking to HR.

You've got 20 weeks left then presumably would have accrued annual leave and you'll need a phased return?? So that should elongate the time

It seems to me that a job where you are sustainably earning a bit under £35K would be better than no job at all. What is your skill set? What sort of work environment could you reliably turn up to work in? If you widen those fields you might not have to look so far away.

Don't be so obtuse.

It's the OPs job that is making her sick... why would you assume that means she wouldn't be able to do a different job?

I’d keep looking for a house share that isn’t looking for such a huge deposit. Something that has a rent within the local councils allowance.
Keep trying for jobs that would suit you better but return to your old job when your sick leave is finished. It’s easier to find a job when you’re in one, I believe and if your rent is lower you could look at more potential positions.

If the stress is caused by a managerial position then chose a different job that isn’t

You are not in an easy situation but it could be a lot worse, OP. You're still in a position of privilege compared to many in less secure jobs or not in work at all and you have time to sort stuff out.

Why don't you knock applying for all these jobs on the head for a few weeks and use the time to regroup, focus, think about what you really want/need from work and take it from there? You sound too overwhelmed to be doing yourself justice in interviews at the moment.

Yes contact HR and OH-surprised employer hasnt done this already.
Why would you be on a PIP?
Can you file a grievance regarding g management/ behaviour?
Contact ACAS?

If they have made you so ill, would you consider speaking to a solicitor about a work related stress claim? Just a thought.

nahthatsnotforme
But Op. you say you are sick. You're signed off sick and unable to work. You won't suddenly become well if you secure a new job. Surely you'd be better off resigning and working on becoming well. And then apply for new jobs.

Don't be so obtuse.

It's the OPs job that is making her sick... why would you assume that means she wouldn't be able to do a different job?

I've been a recruiting manager long enough to know someone on long term sick is not in a good position to secure a new post. Nor is someone likely to suddenly become well once theyve left a job that's made them unwell.

I’m a single point of failure and in a specialised role so there isn’t anywhere to deploy me. It’s my job or nothing :(

Grievance matter is why I have been in touch with my union.

I would be on a PIP because I was underperforming (as I was unwell, but didn’t really grasp this) before I went on sick leave. Whilst I’ve been on sick leave, said underperformance has been noted by senior management and they want me out. This has all been informally confirmed by my (v honest) line manager. There’s no coming back from the PIP.

I’ve spoken to a solicitor (and my union) and the best bet id have is to speak to my employers about a managed exit/settlement rather than a whole capability process. However my employers are extremely unlikely to go for this.

I take your point but what other choice do I have? I can’t resign without something to go to.
I can’t go back as the role / workplace is making me unwell.

If I do go back, I’ll be dismissed.

Ideally I’d have a reserve of savings and I would simply resign but I don’t have that option

I’ve got 200 hours of annual leave left so would use this for a phased return yep. HR haven’t made an OH referral yet but I can feel that coming next (this is my 4th week of being off)

It’s the workplace rather than the role. If I go back, I’ll be put on capability procedures and dismissed. And then getting a new job would be even harder.

Trying to keep this vague - I’m in standards assurance / business and process operations. It’s a transferable skill set and I’m looking far and wide for anything that my skills match to.

OP, if you have sick notes then you need to send them to UC when you get on it, this will trigger a work capability assessment and then if they find you not capable for work, you will receive an extra £400 a month. It's not much, but it's something.

When your sick pay finishes if you don't have another job and you're still unwell you can still give your employer sick notes.
The chances are that if they want to replace you they'll pay you off to leave.
My dsis got £12k to formally resign from her employment.

You say that UC wouldn't cover your rent but wouldn't you get housing benefit and council tax benefits if you were on UC?