Work.

[chinahorse]

Can work fire me for refusing to work nights, even though I took the job knowing I might have to work nights, because of my mental health?

I'd also like to ask for some support and ideas regarding work and my mental health. Work is dragging me under. Its making my so called voices worse. Its really damaging to my self worth and self esteem. I regularly sob before and after shifts. I have to take a lot of prn to be able to deal with the 'voices' and the seeing things I know logically must not exist. I think a lot of its stress related as, for example this weekend amongst friends I saw and heard a lot less.

I feel stuck. My work gives me so much but its also taking so much. I cant afford, literally, to stop but continuing seems impossible. I'm so tired. And I'm sorry for the ramble.

[talaiporia]

Not as far as I know. At least, when I worked for McDonalds (briefly!) they had a disclaimer thing in the employee handbook think that if you had MH issues/diabetes/epilepsy and things that are worsened by sleep then you didn't have to work nights. AFAIK it was due to the rule that employers must make reasonable adjustments and that covers this.

[chinahorse]

Please could you remove the company name. TA.

I shall have a look thanks.

[Lilo]

If you get a sicknote from your doctor stating that you are fit to work on certain shift patterns/reduced hours than legally your employers have to take notice of it. Also you could ask for a referral to occupational health as most companies occupational health departments would rather have you at work and performing than off sick/leave.

Sorry that you're struggling with work work. From my own personal experience ai experience I have found that the social aspects of working fulltime help my depression depression/anxiety but when you're struggling going to work is impossible sometsometimes. I also don't think that working long shifts in retail/food service is good for overall wellbeing as well as mental health issues. But unfortunately it's quite hard these days to find a permanent job in other sectors.

I know that you don't like the idea of claiming benefits and want to work but if you applied for PIP you would then be able to cut down your hours at work to make things easier for you. PIP also isn't affected by working so if you wanted to go back and work full time after a while you could without it financially affecting you.

[Iamcatbug]

Would it be worth changing your availability to say you can't work nights. I've just done that and had it approved.

[chinahorse]

It wont let me change my availability. And my store manager has wiped everyones current availability.

I dont think work has an occupational health department. I could see about getting a drs note.

Im fairy sure I wouldnt be eligible for PIP and to try and not succeed wouldnt be any good for me.

[chinahorse]

I dont know what to do. I feel so unwell. Not managed to go to work today as I was sick last night. I cant see a way to continue working. Am exhausted. I forced myself to hold on tight until I saw friends. Its exploded since. I want to die. I am so tired.

[Iamcatbug]

I'm sorry things are so difficult for you right now.

I know it might be impossible to get a new job, but would it be possible to transfer to another store if there is one nearby? It's something I'm looking into at the moment myself.

[chinahorse]

Ive worked at top store before and its even more ridiculously stressful than tavi is. At least there I know the people enough to be able to have a laugh and we all help each other unlike other stores Ive worked in. But Im regularly doing 2-5 peoples jobs by myself and getting yelled at for not being able ot split myself into 3. That along with the hours and the culture of no praise ever do better you will never be good enough is causing so much stress.

[Iamcatbug]

Yeah, I totally understand that. And then they wonder why they have such a high staff turnover!

Sorry I can't really think of any other suggestions.

[Epicene]

I know you said you weren't keen on applying for PIP, but I would have a look through the form and think about it. If you are unwell to the extent that you cannot work, you should be eligible as your illness clearly impacts on your life. Would yourmental health team support you in completing the form and write you letters of evidence?

[chinahorse]

Ive looked at it. And from what I can see I dont need help day to day living or with mobility. Thus I wont get it.

[Epicene]

Have you asked any professionals what they think? It's about what help you would theoretically need to be more well (e.g. someone else preparing meals if you have an ED, someone to check you've taken your meds if you struggle with taking them or ODing, someone to supervise you so that you can't harm yourself), irrespective of whether you get that help or not. You should be entitled to ESA though if you were ever in a situation when you were not working due to ill health.

[chinahorse]

The professionals all think I should work.

[Epicene]

That's pretty rubbish. It seems quite evident from things you say here that work is a massive stress. I'm sorry your difficulties aren't being recognised as they should.

[chinahorse]

i rubbish at communication
im going to try to get signed off sick for a short while i think
im really struggling so much

[random.swirls]

You will be covered by the equalities act and as such you can ask for reasonable adjustments these the company don't have to grant but asking to not do night shifts should be reasonable if lots of other shifts and workers are available.

Re. PIP you may well be entitled maybe speaking to friends will help?

[Bellatrix]

Lillie if im e titled you will be too, you're a lot ill we than me a d I get it.

I can Help you fill out the form? May as well try.

[chinahorse]

I will try and get the ball rolling for PIP.

What do I say when I try and get a drs notetomorrow. Im terrified they will say no but going to work wil drive me to the edge.

[Bellatrix]

Say that. Tell them you're jot coping and your mental health is suffering as a result.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes x

[chinahorse]

I will. Im terrified they will refuswe me it.

[Epicene]

Well done for putting your health first and thinking of being signed off/applying for pip.

[chinahorse]

I got the note. Didnt have to discuss anything she just agreed to it as she knows a bit about my history. Seems I had a sleepless night over nothing. Bit stuck a to what I do now though. Do I call up work or do I drop the note in or what?

[sherlock holmes]

I'm glad you got the note! Yes you'll need to drop the note into your workplace. Maybe call them first to let them know you've been signed off sick (and how long for) and tell them you'll bring the note over.

[Epicene]

Someone could drop the note of on your behalf I think, if going in feels a bit much. You can self certify for a time anyway so there's no immediate rush. So glad you got what you hoped for.

[chinahorse]

Thanks both :)

Theres noone to drop it off for me. I shall ring (gulp done too many scary calls today already) and ask if posting it is fine or if they want it dropped off.

[chinahorse]

mergh they want it dropped in and its a 15 min bus ride away and the store managers there :S

[sherlock holmes]

How did it go?

I remember when I had to drop my sick note in to my manager. It felt a bit daunting, but at the end of the day they cannot argue against the sick note so that made me feel better.

[Serendipity.]

I hope it went okay handing in the sick note x

[chinahorse]

I was really nervous about it but thankfully they were busy so I threw the note at a manager and left sharpish.

[Serendipity.]

Well done for doing it. I really hope that having some time off work helps make things more manageable for you.

[Bellatrix]

Proud of you <3

[tamobhuuta]

well done getting a sick note and making it to hand it in. I hope your health improves while you are off.

[random.swirls]

Well done

One thing I've just thought is when you are ready to go back to work could you ask your dr. to put on your note about not doing night shifts?

[chinahorse]

I was going to ask for that but I was so nervous I forgot.

[chinahorse]

I bumped into someone from work today and its lead me to feeling really guilty for being off work. Im not bed ridden or anything so should be at work. I spent today wandering around the shops and eating ice cream and reading in the sunshine and I feel so guilty.

[Foxtrot Oscar]

I really don't think you should feel guilty, you're looking after you and that's important. People who think being off sick equates to being bedridden are ignorant in my opinion. Illness comes in so many different forms. It's nice to read that you spent time doing what you wanted to do.

[Epicene]

My GP repeatedly told me that being off sick doesn't mean you have to stay locked in your house. Being bedridden is only any good for anyone if they actually need bed rest. In your case, you need respite from mh problems and you spent your day doing things which are ideal for that.

[chinahorse]

Thank you both for the reassurance.

[chinahorse]

Bumping this as though I have another week off yet I am terrified of going back to work. Im barely sleeping and feel sick over it. I also feel really really guilty for being off sick in the first place and IM ridiculously worried Ill loose my job and how Id cope with that.

I dont know what to do or ask for so that when I do go back to work it doesnt circle back to me needing to take time off again. I am willig to work and I do enjoy lots of aspects of my job but im starting to have thoughts of maiming myself so that I wouldnt be able to work etc.

[Bellatrix]

Can you make a list of the things that would neeed to change for your job to be less overwhelming... then make another list of ways you could make those things happen? I know nights are something that you'd klike to cange so look into getting your CPN to write aletter explaining thtat you cna'[t do nights and the like.

you're doing so well. <3

[chinahorse]

The thing is the job is highly stressful, its just the nature of the work environment. The things Id like to change wont be able to happen such as having regular hours/ knowing what youll be doing ahead of your shift. I dont know realistically what I could say or ask for.

Its a good idea to ask my cpn for support in writing that I cant do nights. I mean I could but I think it would make me very vulnerable to voices and such.

I am looking for other work that would better suit my needs but its not going anywhere fast and Im worried my job will make me too unwell.

Is there a way to like get advice on benefits and which to apply for?

[chinahorse]

Where we are put changed to meet the needs of the store on the day and depends on who shows up and things. I know its not something they would be able to commit to doing.

[chinahorse]

Thats something I could ask for maybe.

More of the issue is being understaffed and doing multiple peoples job and getting told off for not being able to adequately do 5 peoples job at the same time.

[Bellatrix]

Talk to the CAB about benefits and stuff. You could quit your job and go on job seekers allowance and they have ways of helping you get into suitbale work so you may find a job that better suits you.

[chinahorse]

You cant quit a job and then get benefits. They sanction you for it so you get no money.

Ill have look at the cab :)

[Serendipity.]

^ Not always the case. I quit my job because it was making me ill and claimed JSA and haven't been sanctioned. They just needed medical evidence. I was also told I could apply for ESA and having left a job wouldn't be a problem. It is definitely worth looking into.

[Aubergine]

I've also quit a job because of health reasons and then claimed JSA. Like Hannah, they just needed medical evidence. I once went on ESA after quitting a job and all I needed to do was fill in a form and send of a sick note (it was ages before I had a medical).

[chinahorse]

Ah ok I didnt realise. Although I would prefer to work and shall see if I can make it work but its useful to know this information.

I am greatful. I am frightened of change though and being left homeless.