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

(different name due to being on phone, laptop decided to desert me..,.). Thank you for the great advise which I will certainly look into & consider ♥️

I don't know anything about the ins and outs of sick pay etc, but I do understand the work ethic dilemma. Nonetheless I have recently handed in my notice in my early 60s, a while off pension age, with no other job to go to. I did my sums and just decided I would rather have the time than the money. I'm not too ill to work, but I do work too long to sort out the various health niggles that contributed to my not looking forward to working each day. And I reflected that my dad died at 60 and never had a retirement. So although I won't have as much money, I will have the time to do things I enjoy, travel, see friends, catch up on boring things, take up interesting things and not have to wake up to an alarm.

If you don't fancy going back to work, can't face whatever is involved in being signed off sick with a return to work looming, and can afford to stop, why not?

As you’re DWP don’t resign - depending on how long you’ve been there you might get 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay. Let DWP then follow their processes as there might be options around ill health retirement or a settlement (although in my Dept that requires HMT approval).

But get your GP to sign you off.

I was in a similar situation. I applied for early retirement due to ill health (NHS pension) and was off sick for 6 months while I was waiting for that to be sorted out. I could have remained on sick leave on half pay but I felt that was unfair to my work. I have now retired and I'm living on a combination of my NHS pension (not huge) and savings until I can get my state pension in July next year.

I wouldn't rush into a decision whilst feeling so unwell. Have you spoken to HR or occupational health? Could you work from home and fit in your contracted hours spread over the full 5 days, so basically 5 half days rather than 3 full?

Could you use more sick leave until after the operation and recovery?

Having a work ethic is wonderful, but people who are unwell are allowed to be ill, please take care of yourself and make decisions on what is best for you, not others.

If you’re not well enough to work then continue off sick for the time being. If you work for DWP then you’ll get good sick pay, 6 months full pay, 6 months half pay? Gets you nearer to planned retirement with wages. Don’t feel guilty, you’ve worked form 17, and I expect if you could work you would 💐

make the most of sick pay but don’t be afraid to retire! I retired at 58 and haven’t looked back. Once you’ve cleared the mortgage you’d be surprised at how little you need day to day. I have not needed any clothes as I have way too many and the bills are covered. Remember you can take 25% of your pension tax free any time after 55 so you could draw down a lump sum and put it into a bond or isa, the revenue from that might well be enough to bridge the gap.

deffo get some financial advice, even if you have to pay for it they have some brilliant ideas

If you work at dwp you have 6mths sick full pay. If you are long term employee. I would stay on sick gor the 6mths. You only had 10weeks. Stay off imo. This is a genuine illness and that's exactly what sick pay is for. That gives you 16weeks to form a plan... the guilt is guilt tripping you. And no doubt the kits. Try to reduce the contact and stay home til you get better.

Im sorry you are feeling so ill. I would make sure that your gp knowsyou cannot work and ckaim your full sock pay from work please. You are genuinely ill and worked all your life. I do think of you had the op amd felt better you may be happy to work.
whatever you do hold fire on that resignation until the budget is announced.
i love that you are conscientious but please you have been a good loyal employee so its not wrong to accept 6 months sick pay when deserving. This is your last chance to put some money away for yourself.

I used to hate going back to work after I had been on holiday, but people were really kind. I would say go back for a few weeks and then re assess it after then. That way you know you have given work a chance if you decide to retire.

Retirement can seem daunting from a financial perspective but you know you can manage until state pension kicks in. Providing your roof and windows are fine and you can pay for any white goods which might konk out, go for it. Your health is uppermost. Get the GP on your side, extend your sick note, offer taking a cancelled slot for the op, quieten down that work ethic you feel, and get better soon.

Hi I was "lucky" to retire just before my gov pension kicked in. Went back to work after being furloughed for over a year and just could not settle. Not long after started with severe pains, sickness weightless etc. Took 3 years to be diagnosed with gallstones and o months to get the op. But retiring has been the best thing ever for me (apart ftom divorcing after 40 years 😉) so if you can afford it do it. We stay in work and feel "guilt" about considering retirement but most companies dont give a stuff about you once you've gone. So my "advice" would be if you can afford it then do it and definitely look onto any help you can get for leaving due to sickness etc. Good luck and hope your op comes soon the relief is life changing.

You’ve worked long enough!
My dh had acute pancreatitis twice and ended up in ICU he was so so ill.Its awful.If you can stand talking to your dr tell them you want to retire asap but won’t get any money until 10 months time but physically and mentally can’t cope with going back for the foreseeable future,until after your operation at the earliest.
if the dr won’t sign you off then live frugally for a few months.
I doubt you’d regret it, I never did!

If you can afford to consider retirement I would.

The stress of worrying about returning to work, whilst dealing with an acute and painful health issue and the upcoming surgery can’t be helping.

Imagine that you’ve made the decision not to return and tomorrow is the first day you aren’t going to work - how do you feel?

Ultimately, whatever you decide is right for you will be the correct decision, and don’t feel guilty - if your colleagues are halfway decent humans they’ll be supportive.

All the best to you.

Sorry, my OP name change as laptop deserted me so having to use phone.

I so appreciate all the kind replies and advice, I feel so much support & that in itself has helped.
I think a 'proper' talk with GP is needed, as even typing this I am in some pain again. Thank you all xx🌹

If you want to retire and can afford to then do it but, you used to love your job, What's your employer like? Can you talk your concerns over with them? Are they the sort of company that would make short term accomodations? I'm only saying because sometimes work can be much more than money. You mention you think your confidence is affected perhaps if you go back you can make the retirement decision knowing how you coped?

Have a look at your ‘personal’ pension benefits. Some include long term illness cover if you are ill enough to be signed off, ours pays 60% of final salary until state retirement age.

With checking before you resign. All the best.

(OP name change due to having to use phone instead of laptop). Thank you for replying - Employer is actually being very good about this & have now referred me to occupational health, but they do have to follow 'the rules', so I guess it depends on whether GP will sign me off for any longer..... Employer has also agreed to make any 'reasonable adjustments' when I do go back, so I think my mind is made up not to just go ahead & resign, but see how things go, whether I improve or do get the operation.
So many kind people on here have really made me think about the overall picture / future etc, and it's very much appreciated xx🌹

Hey, I return....Sorry, name change due to having to use phone, as my laptop evicted me. I don't think I am trying to be 'stoic', just bloody scared of leaving a long term job unless it's considered good reason due to awful 'out of the blue' illness at the moment....thank you for replying, I am taking all replies into consideration, and they are helping with my possible decision. Also depends much on GP / future genuine illness & likely possible horrible operation. But believe me, I am genuinely taking all replies into account. Xx

Not sure, but will look into it..,. Xx

Yes, small partial retirement pension until I qualify for state pension - but DWP pension isn't huge like some people think, unless you are in a very high grade.....(Sorry name change due to using phone not laptop). Xxx Yep - I guess back to the unavailable GP it is, sigh. TY for your reply xx.

I’ve done more or less what you are deliberating at 57. Took financial advice first, but my backup was to use my home and downsize to top up my relatively small pension pot. I’ve done that now and I feel like I’m living the dream. I also live frugally as I’m not the ‘retire and cruise’ type. I’m totally happy indulging myself in my home to make it a beautiful cosy place to live, holidaying in the UK and spending time with my dogs. Bliss.

You are sick. See another GP and get signed off. If that doesn't work then ask line manager for an urgent Occy Health referral to get a WFH recommendation. Go to the union if you have to.
The advantage of working for the Civil Service and the crap pay and stressful working conditions is that we do look after our staff in other ways - so make the most of the sick leave policy and keep on accruing that pension if you can possibly bear it.
If you do decide to leave, though, then don't feel guilty. You've worked all your life! I know people who have taken full retirement before the age of 60 with no feelings of guilt whatsoever.

Ty, OP name change just to laptop fail & using phone instead.,..my GP is a bit rubbish ( ok for painkillers yes but proper advice not really - call backs are from 'admin'). Civil Service pension isn't what people think, unless at a much higher grade. I so appreciate all the thoughts & advice, my work / manager have actually been great, but have to go by 'the rules'. Appreciate all thoughts & advice, and I feel very supported here, thank you all xx (& no diagrams requested lol xxx) ♥️🌷xx

I own my house outright without mortgage so I know that's a big plus for me. The thought of selling / moving makes me very anxious. Will get there in the end xx