I'm in deep doo doo.

[TottWriter]

Basically, My maternity leave runs out in March. I can't go back to work there, as it's a two hour trip each way for a four hour shift, as I had reduced my hours.

I have epilepsy and cannot drive, so I am desperately seeking work in my town. I have sought a tranfer (I work for M&S) but they don't have any permanent vacancies near me.

No one else (obviously) wants to hire me, as I'm trying to break into office work for the more sociable hours.

Anyone have any advice?

Sign on with a Temp agency but specify the hours you'd like to work. They'll find somewhere suitable. I got my present job through an agency and was made permanent soon after

Why were you working two hours away?

have you thought about a disability angle? Don't M&S have to make reasonable adjustments for you not being able to drive - would that not mean they have to try extra hard to sort you out a transfer near your home?

what about working from home? many threads on MN about this.

or working in school?

Basically, when i took the job i could drive, and then I later found out i had epilepsy. cue two years of long-term sick leave and suddenly having to rely on almost non-existant public transport. (not to mention a whole lot of abuse from certain colleagues)

Now, I need to be the main breadwinner, and I'm not having much luck with job agencies. Which ones do you reccommend using?

What about constructive dismissal if you were being bullied?

have you looked at Access to Work - govt scheme about this kind of thing;

access to work scheme

and some DDA links:
eg

another

i can see that if there simply are no vacancies to transfer you to, they don't have to create one, but you should short-circuit any long waiting lists for transfers etc.

tott if M&S don't have any permanent vacancies near you does that mean they do have temporary ones? Are they no good?

sasamax bearing in mind TottWriter lives 2 hours drive away from her work and has recently lost her driving licence, she would find impossible to credibly suggest that the reason she left her job was because of bullying. Constructive dismissal is not an option.

oh ok - sorry

Having worked for M&S for years I am shocked that they have been unable to accomodate you as in my experience they always went out of their way to help staff. What level are you? Are you band 9 or above, as they often make more effort at this level? Have you taken it up with Head office or with the divisional people if they still exist? Have you contacted your local stores directly?

If you have followed all these and they cannot accomodated you then I would find out if you have a case for unfair treatment.