Mental health and Job
 

I was just thinking today what happens if you have a full time job which is 9-5 every week day, does that mean you can't get mental health help. Most mental health workers work pretty much 9-5 on the weekdays don't they? It makes me worried that if/when I get a job I wont be able to have professional support.

I've wondered this too... but to my understanding it's still possible, a lot of work places are willing to work around medical appointments and even if not there is the option of private healrthcare which often has options for appointments outside the usual 9-5 a lot of NHS places have one day a week for late night appointments too

Any good employer will negotiate with you reasonable adjustments, providing that your diagnosis comes under the conditions covered by the Equality Act [used to be Disability Discrimination Act]. One of the adjustments might be that you are allowed appointments in work time. Myself, I work part time [28 hours per week] and have fixed hours worked around my appointment times so that I don't miss any work unless things are rarely shifted for some reason.

some work places are willing to work around it if they like you, or if they're understanding. I think it varies from boss to boss.

This is why I went part time, but now ive lost that. I think it really does come down to your boss. xx

Ah I always assumed it was a bad idea to let your boss know you have mental health problems though. I hope that where im getting help when I get a job offers late night appointments than.

I just said "health problems" and they're still being funny with me. :?

Hopefully something will work out. !
xx

Oh i hope you manage to work it out with your boss!

Maybe il be lucky and be on the night shift!

I got more severely ill and diagnosed when I was a year into post, so my situation is slightly different. But see if there's a disabilities rep or similar who you can refer to. Or if they have a workplace employee assistance programme.

Some (most) outpatient clinics will see your in a weekend or evening appointments.
As for treatment, you need to talk to your team and they will discuss your options. There are options available for thoes who work 9-5.

Xxx

I dont actually have a job yet im still at uni, I was just wondering if i wouldnt be allowed help once i left uni and got a job (hopefully next summer). Its nice to know that wont happen.

I work full time and they allow me to attend appointments during work time. I take the latest appointment and they still pay me a full time wage.

I work flexible hours so if I take time back for an appt I just work more later on.

I used to see people at the very start of the day so 9 am which meant I was in work for 10:30 at the latest and then had a short lunch break a few times to make up for it or just worked a bit later!

Talk to them and see what compromise you can come up with.

When I was working 40-hour weeks last year I'd use my lunch break to go to my appointments.

FWIW, my boss knew I had mental health problems when he hired me, and he was always accommodating and flexible.

i work in a school. its a nightmare to get appointments to fit around work. ive just returned after a year off sick and am now on a final written warning. all requests for time off for appointments have to be approved by the governors and we lose half a days pay, even if back in work by say 9.30, or if wanting to leave 10 mins early. at the moment i have had to not work fridays to fit in counselling and cpn appointments, but this has only been granted until Nov, then im due to return to 5 days a week. i work 8 til 4 and my appointments are a min of 40 mins away, whoever i see and all my preofessionals work 9 til 5, mon-fri, so is a nightmare.

Have you been to OH to say that your appointments are a reasonable adjustment? Teachers in state schools get PPA, so can they not let you use that time? I suggest you contact the equality and human rights commission for specialised advice.

i have seen OH twice. im a teaching assistant, not a teacher so we dont get ppa time. i had a union rep at all my welfare meetings and she said they were following all procedures correctly.

Unions rarely have the specialised advice necessary for disability discrimination. Please ring the EHRC as they are brilliant. I believe you are legally entitled to attend appointments that are disability related (unpaid) so therefore they could be guilty of discrimination and you could have a case for an employment tribunal.

well, so far they have let me go to each one, but i do worry for my job with being on a final written warning for attendance. its a minefield.

They have to prove that you are unable to work without reasonable adjustments in place etc. My last employer was less than nice about my disability so I took them to court. Whilst my union was supportive I used a specialist solicitor.