Advice please

[LondonCityLife101]

I’ve had 3 longish absences from work due to serious mental health issues over the last 2 years. Two of them were this year and all included hospital admissions.

I’m currently signed off until January but have requested a change in hours as the hours I am doing currently are not helping my situation.

I feel like they are not going to help me and will instead sack me. Is this something they can do? I’ve never had any disciplinary or formal warnings and i’ve Worked for the company for quite a long time but i’m trying to think of all angles. Have requested a meeting with HR which may happen this week but want to be prepared. I just feel like i’m nuisance to them and they’d be better off if I was gone. This may be my head catastrophising things though.

You have a disability and they should try to work with you to make reasonable adjustments. Ask for an occupational health assessment.

HR have already said they want me to see occupational health so hopefully that will be next week too. I just have a feeling they’ll say that the reasonable adjustments aren’t doable for my job. I’ve previously asked to WFH occasionally but was turned down despite my hospital consultant recommending it.

Not every role is suitable for WFH irrespective of recommendation from doctors on how it may suit you.
In that situation the company can't be forced to offer something that doesn't suit them.

For example a customer facing role like support, reception, caring roles etc. don't suit it WFH.

Ultimately companies need staff to deliver the work they are employed for. If someone is too unwell to be able to consistent deliver then the company is able to end their employment.

I know it's not nice for you but it's not personal.

If you are well enough to be able to evidence that you can return to work and consistently remain at work then it shouldn't be an issue, but if you're unable to work the hours for the role then you might want to discuss other options such as reduced hours or other roles that are less stressful to you.

Thanks Golden that’s really helpful. I totally get that It’s not personal for me. It’s the business that has to flourish at the end of the day and if i’m not coping then I’m not good for the business. Just trying to understand how these things work so i’m not caught on the back foot.

Do you think your mental health is improving enough to return to work safely?

Is there anything about your role that makes it worse or is it irrelevant to your well-being?

Is the problem likely to reoccur?

If you're well enough to work and likely to stay well then your company won't want to terminate your employment.

A phased return to work could be a useful request especially if your GP can include it on your Fit Note, then it becomes legally binding.

Don't be too hard on yourself, you can get back to contributing to your organisation. You are human not a robot, give yourself permission to use the time between now and when you return to fully heal and build yourself up again.

Once you're back in the routine, you may find work a helpful diversion - taking on board your point that you may be catastophising, that's possible if you're using your sick leave to over think it all. Try to get out for some nice fresh air and day light every day if you can, it's very therapeutic during these miserable days of Winter!

Thanks both. My mental health is improving but as to it reoccurring i’be no idea. I’d hope not but I can’t say for definite. My ideal would be to work part time but I don’t think that will be possible in my current role. (I have asked but no response as yet).

I will definitely be asking for a phased return Daisy. I’m keeping myself as busy as I can at home and do get out most days.

Have you just asked or submitted a flexible working request?

Whilst it won't necessarily be accepted, the formal request has to be considered properly.

In your request it helps if you consider how the company can still function once you are part time.

For example you could suggest a job share or another part time person to make up the same number of hours.

Some jobs have peak periods in the day and sometimes 2 part time people overlapping can give additional benefits.

I think part time hours can generally be accommodated more easily than WFH

I’m not sure if my request would be considered as formal or not. It was in writing although I didn’t use the actual words flexible working. I also did suggest a work around in the same email.

Have you had adjustments put in place before, or have you always returned to work on your usual hours?

I’ve had a phased return before but always gone back to my usual hours.

If they don't sound keen on p/t, could another option be a job share (if your role is suitable)? I know it will rely on a job share partner but I don't expect it would be too difficult to find someone as lots of people would like to go from f/t to p/t.

If you've not requested using the flexible working form then they can avoid responding following the formal process. You have a more predictable result from a formal request than from an 8nformal one via email etc. It's worth using the form.

Also are you in a union? They can help if the process isn't followed correctly

No union i’m afraid. That’s interesting about the flexible working request. I didn’t realise there was a form. Have a meeting with HR this week so will see what she has to say. An appointment has also been made for an occupational health assessment in the next few weeks so I guess that’s positive.