End of my employment - what to do?

[Mogs43]

This is a bit long and complicated - if anyone can help it would be appreciated but I realise it may not be possible.

I have severe depression that included psychotic episodes and suicide attempts etc. I have been off work sick for a very long time. I have been employed by the same company for over twenty years and this is my first time off sick (albeit a long one) so I'm not really sure of the process and consequences of this absence. I submitted medical certificates but whilst I was off my line manager called asking me to go to Belfast and Scotland. Unfortunately at the time I was still unwell and my disabled father (who I was the primary carer for) was at end of life. I begged family for help but no one would be with him ( Covid). Work told me that as I couldn't do this work they didn't have a post for me. This sent me into a spin and I had what the psychiatrist called an old fashioned breakdown. She still doesn't think I am ready for the pressures of work (its a highly pressurised environment) but I feel that I need to sort out my position so that I can factor it in to any future plans (to be honest most hours I feel suicidal but that is being worked on).

The complication is that since that telephone cal from work I have heard nothing and they have continued to pay me. I am on loan from another organisation so I am wondering if I may have slipped through the cracks. I tried to contact my old line management team in the organisation that my contract is with who are paying me but they have all left and the old team reorganised. I dont really know what to do. I thought to speak to the Union and get some legal advice. I dont want to make things worse. and am petrified of having no where to live (I have a mortgage). If my contract is terminated is there any process that has to be followed? I am worried that I am not well enough to work yet - I have hallucinations and other issues. Would I be able to claim benefits to help with housing? I live alone and simply have no one I can turn to. I would be grateful for any advice. Thank you.

Could you book an appointment with CAB?
You could apply for PIP, it takes a while to be processed but you can receive PIP whilst working so still being employed isn’t an issue when applying.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/

They do have to follow a process to end your employment but I don’t know the ins & outs
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/work/leaving-a-job/dismissal/if-your-employer-wants-to-dismiss-you-because-of-long-term-sickness/

www.acas.org.uk/dismissals

The added stress isn’t going to be helping, can you ask for occupational health to be involved? I hope someone with some knowledge comes along soon with some so,I’d advice, I just wanted to bump for you
www.acas.org.uk/using-occupational-health-at-work

How long have you been off?

Have you got a care coordinator? I presume you have if you’ve had psychosis and you’re in contact with a psychiatrist.

Can you self refer to see an IPS employment specialist? You should have one attached to the community MH team. They are there to assist people suffering with psychosis and other severe mental Illnesses in any sort of employment problem (I know because I used to be one).

They are trained to deal with allsorts of problems arising from employment related issues due to psychosis. They also have good employment networks if you ever did wish to find new employment. Most of all they will be best placed to discuss your worries.