...well, title says it all really.
I've been signed off work for two weeks by Occupational Health...but the report from them that I've received say I might not be fit for work anytime soon.
I feel so...worthless. I really tried to show them that I was dealing with things but they've just written me off..or at least that's how it feels.
Has anyone had any dealings with OH?? I don't really understand where I stand with them??
Thanks to anyone who can help.
x Katie x
Your worth is not your job! Even if you can't work at the moment, that doesn't make you worthless, just as if someone is signed off for an operation it doesn't make them worthless.
Does your Dr agree you should be signed off (I've only ever been signed off by my own Dr)? If not, perhaps they could take it up with Occ health. If they agree, then perhaps you could benefit from some time off?
Perhaps meet with Occ Health to find out what exactly makes them think that (and take a friend to support you)?
i completely understand how you feel. I am 24 and retired because it was decided that i would never be well enough to work and support myself financially. I felt very low and like you, worthless when i got this message.
However, maybe you should take this as an oppertunity to work on yourself and do things you would like to do, other than work. Things you may not have had the time to do before. Try not to see this as a failure but rather as an oppertunity to get better. Being sick and getting better can be a fulltime job in itself. It takes a lot of energy just getting through the day and you should not be ashamed that you need to take time off to do this "job".
I know how hard it is to accept, but hopefully you will be able to and work on yourself instead and after a while return to working.
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Thank you for the replies - it's not so much I feel like my worth is my job...but being told I'm not fit to work has made me feel useless. I hate not having anything to do, I'm now into my second week of being off and I'm going out of my mind. Work has always been something that's centred me...now without I feel lost and abandoned.
It's nice to hear I'm not the only person who's felt this way.
x Katie x
Work gives me focus as well. Would you be able to do voluntary work in the meantime and then you could use that to show OH that you are able to work? Did they say why you weren't fit and the evidence? If you are in a union then I'd have a word with them. Also talk to your GP and see if he agrees or not. x
I have debated volutary work. I think I will look into it. Good point about using it as evidence that I can work.
They said that my issues are 'deep-seated and longstanding' and that I am not fit to do ANY work.
I've spoken to my boyfriends dad because he knows a lot about this but it seems there's pretty much nothing I can do about this at all.
I am seeing my psych tomorrow so I want to see what he says then I'm going to call my manager to see if he's heard from OH as I'm meant to be seeing her again on tuesday but I've heard nothing from her. My CPN has said that he's discussed with my psych about my meds being changed because these aren't making any difference to me (re: suicidal thoughts etc). So I feel that's going to come against me with OH as well.
My main worry is that I don't get paid for my time off. So I'm a little screwed.
thanks for the replies and advice though.
<3 xxx
take the time to focus on yourself. My home team visitor yesterday told me to not focus on the fututre, or the past of that moment, so not even as far as that morning, or as far as that evening, but the moment, and find enjoyment in that one moment, here and now, there and then.
And heal, eventually this technique apparently encourages healing. I too have not been able to finish my uni degree this year, nor can I apply for work andh ave been signe doff for the rest of the year, and it will be furthered when I reach that date too... I felt like crap, but the more time you have to rest and recover, the more efficient your recovery will be, and the quicker it will be, then you'll be stronger for the world in less time...
Have you tried Access to Work to see if that support would make a difference? I'm afraid I don't know anything about benefits, but if work say you are not fit you may find this means you are entitled to claim certain benefits.
And to say that anyone 'will never be able to work again' is crap. Even if you've tried all the possible treatments now (and if they're thinking of changing your meds then obviously you haven't) then new ones are being developed all the time. The one that's really helped me wasn't available when I first started getting depressed.
As someone who has previously been signed off sick from work and is currently working full time in a very busy job indeed, please, do not take this as a life sentence. In most cases, they really are not.
A week to two weeks is a normal amount to be signed off for any illness. The OH would have built into that flexibility for it you needed longer as rest, or to go back to work on a gradual basis.
In terms of feeling useless. My advice is to put together a schedule of things to do in your days - Housework, gardening, going to the shops for groceries are all good starting places. Then build up to do voluntary work and look at any hobbies and other things you can find to fit into your day.
In terms of your work - being signed off for two weeks is enough to still get paid in the UK for your work. Anything more than that and they normally stop you back to half pay at first, I believe. As you are being signed off from illness you are also able to access Incapacity Benefit (if of work for more than 52 weeks), Disabled Living Allowance, Housing Allowance and Income Support as well as others. Do look into these, as you have every right to know about them. Your local library and Job Centre will have information on them.
What did your psych say when you saw them? Where they supportive of the OH, or did they disagree? How do you think the change in meds will come against you - It is not unusual that a medicine does not work and a psych team seek alternatives. Maybe having the time of work would be an ideal time to change a med, and it could be that a new one that helps would make you more able to handle work?
I will stop rambling at you, but do hold on in there.
Roiben x
If the Human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we wouldn't.
In terms of your work - being signed off for two weeks is enough to still get paid in the UK for your work. Anything more than that and they normally stop you back to half pay at first, I believe. As you are being signed off from illness you are also able to access Incapacity Benefit (if of work for more than 52 weeks), Disabled Living Allowance, Housing Allowance and Income Support as well as others.
I would like to point out some inaccuracies there.
Incapacity Benefit can no longer be claimed - the government is no longer allowing any new claims. If you are incapable of work and you are not being paid Sick Pay (or your Sick Pay is running out) you need to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
If you are claiming ESA, or Jobseekers Allowance you cannot claim Income Support.
However you may be entitled to Disabled Living Allowance.
Last edited by not_so_insig : 25-09-2011 at 08:38 PM.
Reason: put ineligible when I meant incapable!!
Wannabe CPN : -)
"He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life." - Homer Simpson "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" Sanity is a nasty disease. The world would be a happier place without it. - Rilic
RIP Kat 4th July 1987- 11th June 2013
I keep forgetting about the change in name from Incapacity to ESA. My main points still stand though, and I never said all of them would be got at once, more that they are options to look into to find the best fit.
Roiben x
If the Human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we wouldn't.
thanks for all the advice guys.
My psych says that while he doesn't think being off work for a long time is going to do me any good in the long run - he thinks I need to relieve some of the stress in my life.
I just feel broken now. It's taken me two hours to get up the courage to call my manager to ask about tomorrow because my sick note expires tomorrow but OH haven't been in touch about a review...so I don't know what I'm meant to do. He's calling me back but I don't have high hopes.
Thanks for the replies anyway.
x Katie x
I'd get the note tomorrow to cover yourself. It sounds like it would be a good opportunity to have some 'me' time. Do you already claim DLA, as I assume you know that you can claim it even if you are working.
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