Burnout and unable to return to same job

[Seasunforest]

If someone is suffering from burnout and is unable to return to same job will the Company offer alternative jobs? What is the process?

Large company and been with them for nearly 5 years.

Is there a role you’d like to move into? I’d say the process is to apply for the different role. Or could you stay in the job you’re doing and go part time?

Have you seen a doctor? Could you take some time off?

Thank you. I have seen a dr and taking time off as completely burnt out. I am in a client facing role and would like to move to enabling service role.

I guess I just need to apply for other roles.

It depends on the reasons for the burnout.

Is it solely the job? Are you trained and experienced enough to do the job properly? If not, given that the company recruited you into the role they should provide you with what you need to reach the required performance level.

Or is it solely the job, but for other reasons, for example, do you have a supportive manager, is your team fully staffed, are you being bullied? Again, the company have a duty to provide the environment you need to be able to do the job properly. Raise any issues with them.

Or is the burnout caused by other life circumstances? Are you struggling to balance work and childcare, or care for an older parent? Speak to the company to discuss possible adjustments to hours or location.

Or are you struggling to balance work with other health issues? Perhaps you are under your GP’s care with depression or anxiety? Again, speak the company about sick leave, recovery plan, return to work plan. You might benefit from a phased return with reduced hours.

You can’t expect an employer to offer an alternative role without looking at the reasons for the burnout and the reasons for not being able to do the existing role.

I am feeling burnt out - lack of enthusiasm /boredom to an extent, but also a bit dissatisfied by stuff in my personal life so I’m taking a career break starting next month. Essentially an unpaid sabbatical where I’ll get to travel and work and look into possible freelance work.

I will see what I can find and maybe it’ll give me more skills to do something else in my current organisation. Or I may stick to whatever newfound job I find myself in.

Is a career break possible?

The reason for the burnout is the job itself and unfair treatment at work. A feeling of dread of returning to same position.

Not sure at what point will occupational health contact me? Will the offer alternatives? Adjustments wont work in current team.

I read they can not terminate your contract unless they follow a fair process. Can I be honest with HR/occupational health regarding the unfair treatment? My boss won’t recognise it, I don’t want to fight it and go through it. I would rather quit.

I think you should speak to HR for sure. We can’t really advise on what they will say so you’ll need to see for yourself and then take it from there.

Thank you. Just wanted to know if there are similar experiences; however I understand every company is different.

This is a very large corporate organisation.

Good luck. A career break is not possible for me.

I got sickness leave and actually reached the point of burnout so taking time off to recover and consider my options.

“The reason for the burnout is the job itself and unfair treatment at work.”

In that case you need to first address the unfair treatment and pursue this as a grievance at work. You say your boss won’t recognise it, but in a large organisation you must have a HR team? Go direct to them and/or to your boss’s boss if available. Also contact a union for assistance. If you are not in one, most will let you join and pay a few months’ membership upfront to get access to their advice and representation.

Have you been documenting the unfair treatment? If not, try to retrospectively list everything that has happened, including as much detail as possible.

If you are signed off work check that the doctor certificate includes wording that your stressed condition is caused by workplace circumstances.

Speak to your employer to file a grievance and follow the process through. Make it clear from the beginning that your preferred resolution is to no longer work with the person/people who are treating you unfairly. You can request that it is you who move to an alternative role, but be prepared that a potential solution is you staying in the job and someone else being moved.

”I don’t want to fight it, I would rather quit”
You’ve worked there for five years. Give your employer the opportunity to remedy the situation. If you just quit then you have no cause to complain. If you pursue the grievance you give the employer the chance to make things right and you get to continue your career there. If you pursue the grievance and it’s ignored or mishandled, then consider constructive dismissal.

Thanks. I don’t think I want to go through the grievance process. I don’t think the stress it will cause will be worth it. They won’t make things right. They are probably use to this.

In my organisation (large corporate) if OH say you’re no longer able to do your own role, then you’d go on our redeployment list. It means you’re guaranteed an interview for vacant positions, assuming you meet the criteria, and may also be given a trial period in the role before it even gets advertised. It’s important to get OH to support your needs in the first instance though.

Thanks.

Sorry to hear that. It’s awful being in a bad work situation.

I understand about not wanting to go through with the grievance thing - it’s not for the faint hearted. If you are with a decent employer you can probably speak up but both times I raised issues in my toxic workplaces I had to leave shortly after. There was such a backlash.

Thankfully I was already planning to leave in both instances. And I did get an ACAS negotiated settlement as well.

Thank you. I will speak to occupational health; I just need to be careful with what I say. I am nearly sure raising a grievance wont go well; my current team is probably used to manage people out. I have always left jobs in good terms. There may be opportunities for other teams and roles.