Should I do agency work instead.

[wrinklytum]

Due to circumstances (other halfs' illness) I have been on sick from work for 7 months.Last week I started back but dp was hospitalised again so I had to go on sick again.My employers have been very understanding but I feel as if they cannot (understandably)keep putting me on sick.For one my record will look crap and secondly I feel as if I am taking the michael somewhat.I have no one to look after the dcs though as I was doing evening shifts,so have no choice but to go on sick.I have a meeting on Fri morning.I am wondering whether it would be better to leave my current job and do agency work so that I could choose my hours to some extent.Additionally my youngest has sn and I have lots of appointments to attend with he so these have to be factored in.I also feel that I am not altogether firing on all cylinders with everything thats going on as the area I work in is very fast paced and specialised and if I cock up it could be someones life on the line.Sounds a bit melodramatic,I know but I really feel I could do with something a little less pressurised.Trouble is I have a pension,sick pay etc where I am now.Very confused and unsure what to do.....HELP!!!

BUMP

Can you go on the bank?

What do you do Wrinkles?

Sorry for lack of reply.Am nurse

Am I understanding this right? You have been signed off sick for 7 months because your dp (not you) is ill?

Yes FB,He very nearly died,went into acute renal failure had multiple pulmonary emboli,lost 2 stone in 2 weeks,came out in horrid skin lesions,had nephrostomy tubes and a suprapubic catheeter put in.At 1 point i was told he had metastatic cancer,then we got a diagnosis of a rare autoimmune disease.He was hospitalised for 5.5 months and is on chemo and high dose steroids.Concurrently my dd was found to have sn.I have no family locally except in laws in their 80s.He has been readmitted 3 times since Jan.What else could I do???No one else to look after 2 under 5s!!!I am only a pt by the way.Yes my employters have been excellent see op and my dilemma!!!

Er, I'm not suggesting there's anything else you could do, I obviously have no idea about your personal circumstances, and I'm not questioning how justified or not this situation is - you are sounding a bit defensive.

It's extremely unusual and I just wanted to double check it wasn't a typo or anything as I have never heard of that happening before, even with the most generous of employers.

I'm sorry you are having a rough time, hope things get better.

Sorry,I probably am sounding defensive as taking 7 months off was not what I really wanted tbh,and it has been pretty crappy,and i do feel bad about it.!!!(I got 6 months sick pay and 1 month without.)TBH I am in a complete tizz with what to do.This is why I am contemplating wether to go with an agency and pick my own hours so I am not letting the organisation down.DP is very weak and incapable of looking after 2 kids in his current state (he can't lift dd up)

Am also a nurse wrinklytum - how about joining NHS Professionals if they operate in your area. It's NHS so you still get pension and also there's a way of getting some annual leave too. Obviously you don't get sick pay, but as you've already had 7 mths off sick, you'll only get half pay for any sickness now won't you?

Oh thanks.Will look on website.Yep re the pay thing.DP was self employed so its all geting a bit tricky now.Luckily he had income protection so we get mortgage paid but that runs out in August.They only pay for a year.Thank god for Tesco value stuff and Lidl!!!!

Do your employers use much agency/bank staff? There is a little known 'loophole' called a zero hours contract whereby you are employed on zero hours and any hours you work are put on as 'extra' hours. These are paid at your contracted band/point so cost the trust much less than agency.
Obviously you run the risk of not being able to get the hours you want but it can be a way to stay within your current area and for the trust not to lose a valuable member of staff!