Is it better to resign before dismissal - sickness

[Iguessitstheend]

This is the first time I’ve encountered this so I am not sure how it all works. I have just passed 6 months of sickness and work want to arrange a capability meeting. There are no arrangements that can be made for me to return to work, what I need is medical help.
Am I able to hand my notice in? Is this better than going through capability meeting and dismissal? I’m worried how it will look to future employers so want to choose the best option.

I know I cannot fulfill role at present so I accept there is no choice for me to lose the job one way or another. I need to be seen by a medical professional and due to a very broken system it’s going to be likely another 5-6months before someone can even answer the question of if I’m safe to go back to work, but that’s another story entirely.

Can you give any more detail?

How do you imagine you can continue to be employed??

She doesn’t…

Is it not possible for you to do any hours/ can they make any adjustments? Sorry you’re in this position op

Oh come on - you could at least have read the OP before you added your two pennies

I think he’s, handing in your notice stops the ordeal and pressure of going through that process.

How is your relationship with your line manager/workplace? How long have you been there?

Im sorry to hear you’ve been unwell, I do hope there is a course of treatment that can improve the situation for you.

Financially - what does the picture look like? If you would need to transfer to benefits, then handing in your notice may impact on your ability to claim. Will you continue to receive sick pay beyond the 6 months? How long can you survive without being in work? Does your workplace offer a sabbatical as an option?

No do not resign. If you are dismissed you can claim benefits immediately if you resign you can't. Are you a union member? If not speak to ACAS for advice.

If you are dismissed because of ill-health, you should be able to negotiate a decent reference, based on the work you did before your illness. You might be eligible for ill-health retirement, depending on your pension provider, if you are dismissed, you will find it harder to do that if you resign.

You might also be able to negotiate a settlement figure with your employer which will allow them to advertise your post and move on, while giving you a bit of financial breathing space.

Don't go to the meeting on your own, if you cant take a union rep, ask a colleague to accompany you.

Don't resign! You could push for ill health retirement as per previous poster

How do you imagine that you can offer intelligent responses to posts that you haven't even bothered to read?

If you are in a company pension scheme does it offer an income continuance (usually after 6/9 months) or could you take early retirement?

No don’t resign. Who knows they might offer you retirement on the grounds of ill health?!

No don't hand in your notice.

Let them go through the process and dismiss you so you can get support from the benefit system while you are unwell.

I'd say depends on financial circumstances. As someone else said it might affect benefits if you are seen as voluntarily leaving. Or may be of financial benefit to you to wait for the process to take its course dependent on your organisations rules. I have experience of this with a relative unfortunately. Not able to return to work in the timescale required, NHS rules meant it was more beneficial to see the process through and be dismissed on medical grounds. They were then able to go on contribution based ESA and PIP.

If you resign it could impact your entitlement to benefits and notice pay

If you are not fit for work you’ll have a gap in your CV you’ll need to explain to future employers irrespective if you resign or are dismissed

Apologies I wanted to keep things quite vague in case anyone recognised me. I will try and give more details.

Just to clarify there are no adjustments that can be made or I would have arranged that already. Unfortunately due to the job role there’s nothing that can be done. Other job roles I could go back or make adjustments but this particular role it’s not practical or safe.

Financially, my only option is to apply for carers allowance. My current job is only part time around my caring responsibilities as I had to give up my main job due to being a carer. I already have top up of UC and the carers element in place so shouldn’t be too much trouble just need to make a claim for carers allowance.

Other details - Been employed over 2 years. Will also look for any small part time jobs I can do with Carers allowance but I’m extremely limited to when I can work due to my caring responsibilities and I’m only able to do certain types of jobs as I have a disability myself (not related to current issues). Once my caring responsibilities are less I will go back to my main career and all will be fine but that won’t be for a few more years.

Heath - I am currently not well enough to work, I’ve been seen by a lesser service for treatment for symptoms but been referred back for further investigation for cause. I’ve been told I have to wait up to a further 5-6 months before I will be seen to then be referred on for a scan. GP won’t see me or refer me directly for scan as I am already under the correct service for this. No one can answer me if I’m safe to work or if I’m at risk of any further damage as no one has looked at the cause of my symptoms yet. Also there is the pain side of things which is currently not managed and also impacts my ability to carry out my role.

Sorry for any bad grammar etc writing quickly while I have time and between phone calls to gp/medical services.

Just catching up on comments, thank you all for your replies.

I think my sick pay will now end. I’m just waiting for clarification. No option for sabbatical.

Not a member of a union. Will try ACAS.

The only colleagues I could have asked to attend with me are now managers. I’m guessing I now can’t ask them?

Some great advice about seeing the process through, thank you.

I'm sorry that you're in this position, OP, and hope that you will be able to access treatment soon.

You sound very reasonable and realistic in your approach, and as a manager, I would want to do everything possible to ease the process for you. Definitely try to negotiate an agreed reference etc.

Can't they reallocate you to a more suitable role?

That is kind of you to say. I do feel sorry for my employer as it’s not their fault. It’s the NHS mad system that has caused it. I think that’s why I was considering handing in my notice as I feel bad I’m wasting their time and money. I will also ask them about going back in the future as they are likely to still need people in that role so maybe I can reapply once I’m well again.

@bedfrogunfortunately not.

Tbh, they will just be relieved that you're reasonable and that you have an understanding of their position - believe me, not everyone in your situation does! As a manager, I have felt absolutely awful managing someone out of the organisation simply because they're ill, but I know it's my job to do so. Having someone reasonable who gets it and understands that it isn't personal takes at least some of the stress out of the process, even though it doesn't stop the manager from feeling bad.

If you think you might want to go back at some point when well enough, then all the more reason not to burn bridges now. I would tell them that you'd like to return when well enough, and if the opportunity arises.

I’d not resign at this point. Have the meeting, be really honest and discuss any options. If you can’t work in your current role then rightly, you might be let go but as PP have said, that may be of benefit to you. There may however be other options you’re not aware of and keeping relations positive and open would be a good ending.
I hope your health improves soon

are there any other roles that they can offer you that you could do?

Ask about ill health retirement. 💐

I’m sorry you’re in this situation. There are so many people unable to work at present due to length of NHS waiting lists!

Definitely don’t resign. In your situation you need your employer to terminate your employment on the grounds of ill health.
That way you may be eligible for benefits like ESA or even for ill health retirement depending on your age.

F