When colleagues are unsupportive.

[Whodunksakitkat]

I have returned after having some time off before Christmas with anxiety and depression and I cannot believe how unsupportive some colleagues are being. My HOD in particular is being very cold and curt hasn’t once asked how I am or if I might need any additional support. If I am completely honest I have returned sooner than I should because I was aware that my absence with a mental health condition was not being viewed favourably. I just don’t know what to do and I am thinking will I just need to resign???
I am doing everything I can to try and improve my health but some days are still such a struggle - don’t know how long I can carry on whilst being given the cold shoulder.
Can I improve things or is it a lost cause?

Hi Whodunks, I did leave teaching - I initially left the school I was at and took a one term contract in a totally different school with a completely different year group. Even before I started I knew I couldn't keep teaching, so I started applying for non teaching jobs in finance - knowing I had an escape route got me through.

Op it really doesnt sound like youre ready to go back to work fully yet. By the sounds of it you need to be fighting fit in order to deal with your Hod who is being particularly bitchy. Is it worth going back to your doctor to discuss? Or what about asking for a phased return? So gradually build up your hours and time as your confidence grows.

The comments from your hod about work you should have done when you were ill are particularly grim. Is there a union rep in your school that you could talk to about how your return to work has been handled?

1. Go to the GP and get signed off - your health is more important than the job right at the moment.
2. Keep any emails or keep a diary noting anything said to you regarding your illness, return or quality of work. You may need this. Your HoD should not be getting involved in anything regarding your absence, it is nothing to do with them and could constitute harrassment.
3. Don’t be afraid to contact OH if you’re off for a while. In my experience they were very helpful.
4. Your union is there to support you if necessary, although in my friend’s experience at local rather than school level, they were useless.
5. Accept that you may need to move school, do supply or leave teaching altogether. However, don’t resign with no plan B without going through the whole sickness procedure first (6m full, 6m half pay) as this gives you time to take stock, recover and gather your strength and decide on your next move.

This has come from my very positive experience and my friend’s very negative experience of illness management.