GP said my work is making sick. What do I do now?

[Summerartwitch]

I have been with a toxic organisation (understaffed, chaotic, lots of politics, back stabbing colleagues, job not what was described at interview, I am treated less favourably from the rest of my team) for 3 years and this is my second time having to be signed off sick long term.

The first time for a complete breakdown two years ago and this time again for burnout. I also developed shingles as a secondary issue because my immune system is so run down.

I have already done everything I could to help myself after my first breakdown: I improved my diet, exercised more, had counselling and I take antidepressants.

My GP had made it clear that if my job is the issue I am just going to continue to have periods of recovery after I take time off followed by burnout and that, being in my mid-50s, I am putting my health at risk. They are happy to sign me off as long as it takes for me to recover and find somewhere else to work.

I am neurodivergent and have had episode of depression throughout my life (which I declared at work) but I have managed to have a career regardless.

My current manager though has always been reluctant to look at reasonable adjustments and when I got back to work after my first breakdown they were completely unsupportive and minimised what had happened to me. Occupational Health had to be involved and they reminded my manager that what I had was considered a disability.

I absolutely dread going back to this place (as I know the ridiculous expectation and unpleasant treatment will continue) and I don't know what to do.

I am applying for other jobs but so far no luck.

What is the best way to handle this?

I agree with my GP that I can't stay in this job long term but I don't want to give that company the satisfaction of just quitting and putting myself at risk financially...

Take their advice!
Get signed off for a decent chunk of time and use that to seriously job hunt. Even if it means a big pay cut.

As well /in the alternative - speak to employment lawyers

“ I don't want to give that company the satisfaction”

Drop the vendetta as that will not help your mental state and do what is best to help you get better. Apply for other jobs.

Thank you both for commenting.

My first month off I was literally sleeping all day because of the combination of shingles and exhaustion, so it is only now that I can start thinking about what comes next.

Focusing on job search and recovery sounds sensible.

As someone who is ND, I think we need to accept that certain jobs are just not appropriate. There are reasonable adjustments and then there are places that just aren’t suited to particular needs.

Sometimes a corporate culture is just too much. taking it personally will not accomplish anything.

if your job search is failing because of you stress, then sign off. My stress would increase with the financial pressure, so I would likely just job hunt earnestly while doing the minimum at work for as long as possible.

If you’re in mid 50s, is medical ill health retirement a possibility?
Job search is a numbers game. Just keep applying. Maybe ask a recruiter at a recruitment agency to review your CV.
All the best.

It’s not the NHS is it??

@Keepgettingolder81

Not the NHS but related, I can't give more details as it would be outing potentially.

@Ponderingwindow I agree some work places just don't suit someone like me.

'My stress would increase with the financial pressure, so I would likely just job hunt earnestly while doing the minimum at work for as long as possible.'

I am thinking in the same line: going back and doing the minimum for a couple of months while I job hunt.

But at the same time I am really not in a place where I can go back right now so hence the dilemma.

I don’t really understand why if you hate it so much and it’s as toxic as you say that you haven’t left long before now or started looking for another job well before now….whats actually keeping you there? Full pay sick leave? If it’s already understaffed this must be having a huge impact on your colleagues (whether you like them or not) and just adding to the toxicity of the workplace.

Raise a grievance.

Think about what reasonable adjustments would help. Put them in writing.

Invite your work to contact your GP and get their advice.

Hope to see some positive changes but meanwhile, look for a new job. Lifes too short.

@GabriellaMontez

Thank you for your comment.

Last time I came back from sick leave my GP listed the reasonable adjustment I needed on my fit note . On my first day back at work my manager asked that I ignore the GP's suggestions...Occupational Health backed the GP's assessment thankfully.

I think this time I will indeed put everything in writing to HR when it comes to a reasonable adjustments request and raise a grievance for disability discrimination if needed.