Off sick with with burnout/depression - employer increasing work targets to push me out...

[Summerartwitch]

I work in a toxic/understaffed environment. This is my second burnout in three years with work being the main issue.

I have been signed off for two months and had heard nothing from my employer, not even an acknowledgement of my sick notes.

So I briefly logged into my work emails yesterday to check if replies had been sent to me there or if there was some kind of crisis that would explain the silence/lack of follow-up.

I spotted an email from my manager to the organisation saying that my 'team' (which is basically just me working 3 days a week) will now deliver projects with a turnaround of one week or less rather than the 3 week turnaround which I have been working with for the past 3 years.

This is an impossible target and I am really angry that they did this without consulting me. I was already dreading my return and now this. I am thinking that this is a backhanded way to get rid of me (as I won't meet the target) to try to avoid a disability discrimination case...

This workplace was really unsupportive when I came back from my first burnout two years ago so it seems I will just face the same nightmare again.

As kindly as I can: your seniors at work aren’t obliged to consult with you on this. Of course they ideally would, but if they can legitimately say it’s a business need. To be quite honest, if you’re on your second lot of leave for burnout in three years then they may be looking to manage you out.

@ResidentPorker

Surely targets should be achievable? setting up someone to fail is not something I would ever do as a manager.

But yes I am fully conscious that they want me out and I have no issues with that. but I am not going to just quit and the best outcome would be a settlement agreement.

It does sound like they’re trying to manage you out, but it also sounds like this job might no longer be right for you.

It's hard to give an opinion without knowing what the role is or what kind of targets these are.

What disability discrimination case? Have you raised disability with your employer.

You've probably got a bradford factor high enough to be halfway through disciplinary proceedings. So they may well be looking to manage you out.

Have you been referred to occupational health?

I would agree with this

Yes I have declared my long term mental health issues and neurodivergence.

Occupational Health was involved last time but only after HR got involved, as my manager initially refused to implement the reasonable adjustment suggested by my GP.

OH confirmed that my condition was a disability and reminded the employer of their responsibilities.

I have had ongoing issues since my first episode of leave (being excluded from meetings/conversations, no training opportunities offered to me while offered to the rest of the team and being paid less than other colleagues with the same level of responsibilities).

I am not quite sure why anyone would think that illness resulting from a long term health condition needs 'disciplinary procedures'...

As a disabled person - I can't do a lot of jobs any more (98% probably!) because I am just not able to mentally and physically do the work.

I've had to find work that I can fit in around my energy levels and health.

This job isn't that. Are you looking for other work? Can you focus on this instead? Turning this into a 'case' is going to wipe out your energy for a year or two. You could use that energy to look for other work, that you enjoy and that suits you and where you feel you have colleagues that support you.

I know we always want 'justice' to be served, but that rarely happens at work. This sort of battle just destroys you instead.

I've been burned out twice at work. It's distressing and harmful. If you have a toxic boss and culture my advice would be don't try to fight it at your personal detriment. Been there and lost personally and painfully. The second time I secured an excellent lawyer and got a payout that gave me 9 months out to recover, regroup and get a new much more suitable job.

If they want you out, let them, but make them pay. Gather your evidence of bullying or whatever the grounds of unreasonableness /lack of compliance with their own policies are. Consult a lawyer. Act. Exit.

If you don't have legal grounds then start job hunting once you've recovered on their time and pay (sounds like they don't deserve to be treated fairly). Put minimal energy and emotion into your work once you return. Do try bare minimum. Focus on getting a new job. Seriously your health is not worth this shit. Take it from someone who knows.

Try not to let them get to you OP. Instead, Document everything with a timeline , put in a formal grievance - chat gpt can help. Get a solicitor . The action they’re taking makes it easier for you to get a better settlement tbh.
out of curiosity if not too outting, why did you get signed off work originally and what reasonable adjustments did you ask for?

Just read your update. Looks like you have clear discrimination grounds. Take time to gather evidence write a timeline. See an employment lawyer.

They are unimaginative stupidl bastards and they don't deserve you. You can do much better and you will x

Thank you everyone for all the comments and advice.

Especially for those who have gone through similar issues.

I really appreciate it.