What would you do? Work / resign??

[ImGoneUnderground]

Sorry if this sounds like a bit of rant - its more a request for advice -
I have been off work for about 10 weeks due to a bad / painful physical condition, awaiting an operation (waiting time is about 4 + months now, if I am 'lucky'), currently signed off work by GP, but that can't go on indefinitely, so I am due back to work shortly. (In a job that I used to love, but now fear I cannot continue in it - I have lost all confidence & feel very anxious about returning to work - & yes, I know that is probably normal).

I am about a year away from retiring altogether (recently partially retired, 3 day week, so already living on reduced income) - I own my house, have a small pension, could cover basic bills with pension, plus using my quite limited savings to live on - I am SO tempted to resign altogether, & live frugally until I reach state pension age, and then would also get a small bit more personal pension - scared about any unseen bills (repairs etc) - and so many people / friends advise to 'just carry on & see it out' - I kind of know I am in a good position with regards to owning my home - I feel like I would be letting myself down if I did just go ahead & leave work. Any thoughts - please be kind, I have worked for almost 50 years - this is more of a 'what would you do? xx

Agree with this. Next time you have an attack get to A&e and get in the system for an emergency op not an elective one. Alternatively- and aware it’s not poss for everyone - have you looked into private? Because the lists take so long and a gallbladder removal is a day op and was around 4-5k when I was looking into it. Not cheap but worth it to end the agony fast instead of dread everytime you eat and it all having this psychological effect on you losing your mojo. So I’d look into that and go back to work after if that’s an option rather than retire now and have this unhappy end to your working life. That said, if resigning keeps you sane and feels right to you, it’s not a bad idea. Just seems a shame when the real issue is the damn gallstones and they could be sorted much faster in some alt scenarios. Good luck!

So sorry to hear your troubles. I would retire/resign. No chance of any redundancy coming up? Make sure you get all your holiday pay etc.
Absolutely no shame in it whatsoever. You have worked hard all your life. Go for it and take one bit of worry away.
Lastly try apple cider vinegar in warm water every morning. You need one with the ‘mother’ ie gunge at the bottom. Can really help. I had gallbladder sludge and it really helped me. And gentle exercise if you can. Good luck x

Says exactly what I came on to say. Good luck OP.

I think there is a real difference you being somewhere like DWP versus a small employer. Let them manage you out and you might get the ill health retirement.

Stay on sick leave.

If employers didn't want people to stay long term on sick instead of resigning, they should advocate for higher rate of sickness benefits from the government. Ones that can be lived on and not wiped out by a hard earned pension.

They'll probably dismiss you for being incapable due to medical before long anyway, but you'll get a few months extra pay to tide you over.

I am a good bit younger than you but did something similar 2.5 years ago. I had long COVID/ME. Never did get a proper diagnosis.

I was off sick for nearly a year,went back on a phased return and couldn't hack it. I intended to retire in a further 3 years anyway, so looked at my finances and realised I could do it straight away.
My finances were not as tight as yours but I think if you WANT to retire and think you can, go for it. I still have 7.5 years until I get state pension but I'm so glad I did it.

@ImGoneUnderground you seem lovely, and like you are in a lot of pain. Please do not feel guilty for early retirement. It seems to me that you have earned it after working so hard all your life.

Agree with those pointing out that whatever you decide, once retired and feeling well enough you can do casual or part time work on your own terms to keep a little money coming in, build up a bit of surplus for emergencies, or keep yourself pleasantly busy if that is what you choose. You won't necessarily have to live on your pension alone.

Do you not have a civil service pension? If you do, can’t you take it a few months early? You won’t lose out much.

But also, go back to your GP and tell them how bad it is and that you have no idea how you could get through a day at work.

Youve done your best Go for it please do

If you work at DWP, don’t you get six months sick pay, possibly more? In which case stay on sick leave until it expires and then put in your notice to retire. That should bring in enough to keep your savings for emergencies. There’s no way any manager will bother bringing disciplinary proceedings at this point.

In my experience the GP will sign you off very easily. My practice has a separate request system for sick notes, you don’t even have to see a doctor. And if you’re waiting for an operation it would be a no brainer. Put in a request for a three month note and see what happens before you resign. Knowing you have a few months should take the stress away a bit.

No. To get an ill-health pension the underlying medical condition has to be permanent. This is a requirement of HMRC's and to breach it leads to horrendous tax consequences for the individual and their pension scheme.

Bless you OP, you sound so hard working and committed. It must be difficult being in so much pain. My friend is in a similar situation a few months away from her pension but suddenly hit with a crippling medical issue.
I would echo those saying try to stay on sick leave for a bit. That’s what it’s there for and it sounds like you are unable to work because of the pain. I know as a dedicated employee it possibly feels wrong to you, but imagine what your advice would be to someone else. Don’t leave yourself short if there is an alternative that you are entitled to.

I agree about using more of your sick leave first. You sound genuine and hard working and your colleagues will know that about you. Sick leave is there exactly for times like this.
I hope you’re able to get surgery and feel back to yourself soon. Take care x

If it’s for a year, and you enjoyed your work before the pain, could you not approach your manager / HR and explain your concerns?

If they’re a decent employer they should take steps to ease you back into the work. Or they might agree to a redundancy packet (if they’re a big enough organisation) which could help you through the year until the state pension kicks in.

You won’t know what’s possible unless you ask them.

OP I would get your GP to keep signing you off until you get your operation and recover from the op then you can reassess.

That means you will get sick pay while you are signed off rather than using your savings.

Then I would ask for reasonable adjustment like home working until you reach your retirement age or even negotiate a settlement.

For now though focus on your help and ask your GP to chase your referral and tell them your condition is getting worse.

I am going to go against the grain(?) Based on few posts i've read on the thread.

Go to the gp and be truthful.
Its incredibly painful you need surgery and work will be incredibly stressful and the pressure to work is making you stressed and anxious etc.
If they wont.sign you off (id be surprised) request another GP / second opinion.

Get signed off until the op and then for post op.. mentally disengage from the job and take the cash max out your sick pay its there for this reason.
post surgery and recovery i would request a "without prejudice" conversation with your boss and HR and ask if they'd like to reach a "mutual agreement" on your exit from the business. Then stay VERY silent and see what they come back with (You will likely walk away with 6-12 my salary based on my exp. But even if they dont agree/ make you an offer they will likely as a minimum accept paying for your notice with no obligation from you to work it)

(As an fyi The quoted terms above are HR recognised language with specific meaning)

Both retiring early and staying give the same outcome (ie. you arent working) in my scenario you walk away with 10s of thousands more.
And while you "can survive" it would surely make it more comfortable for you if you had money for emergencies?

Don’t resign without discussing with union. There are better options.

Settlement Agreement
Ill Health Retirement
Reasonable Adjustments to enable return
Working part time
Redeployment to a more suitable role

Some providers have different levels of IHR. It’s worth investigating.

If you manage to get the gall bladder removed, you will feel so much better. Would you then regret leaving work?

I think I would use up all the paid sick leave before making a decision (apologies if that’s the point you’re at and I’ve misread).

Ask the GP/Consultant if there’s any way to get the operation more quickly. Where we are there is a private hospital picking up NHS patients through Choose and Book (?) to get the lists down sooner.

This and please get union advice.
Take care OP

Talk to your union about whether a settlement agreement might be negotiated. As things stand, they're having to pay you sick pay and cover your job on a temporary basis, and/or have to go down complicated dismissal procedures to dismiss you due to ill-health, all knowing that you are nearing retirement age anyway. They might be willing to give a fairly generous settlement agreement in order to move forward and replace you permanently.

I would exhaust your sick leave first. If your GP knows you are likely to be waiting 4 months for the op I don’t see why they wouldn’t sign you off for 3.

Also as per PP the next time it flares I’d go to A&E both my parent had gallstones, my dad had niggly pain when he ate takeaways and was OK to wait months for the op. My mum was incredibly ill and couldn’t wait, you sound closer to my Mums condition than my Dads.

Not lost too much weight , some, due to being pretty much sedentary, even walking can trigger pain sometimes. (So I stay home & feel sorry for myself!!). Xx