Back to work

Thornography

Hey all,

I have been out of work for over four months now due to pretty severe depression. The last four months have been really realyl hard and allot of friends split cause they didn't want to have anything to do with my getting better (separate issue) which took extra work for me to get to a semi stable state. But anyway, I think i will be going back to work nextweek. I need the money, and my parents aren't being supportive of me being on the Ill benefit scheme and never have been since I started.

My main concern is the fact that work was 90% the contributing factor towards me being this depressed in the first place, and I haven`t been able to find another job since. Its hard when there's no one hiring, And if they are, they are similar to the job I am in now which is despise. What do I do? Do I go back, Risk being back to square one and having to start recovery all over again, or do I stay on ill benefits for another while to make sure I am defiantly strong enough to go back.?

Has anyone else been in my shoes with a bit of advice out there?

LegacyUser

OP is it the place you were working in or the type of work you were doing that made you sick initially? If it was the place of work, then hopefully you'll be OK doing the same work in a different place. However dont go back to a job that is going to make you sick again. I've been there with work and know the impact it has on your mental & physical health. I'm sure your parents wouldnt want you to do something that makes you ill. Could you do a FAS course & retrain for another job?

C_Dawg

I'm in a situation almost identical to yours at the moment. I've been off work about 6 weeks straight now due to anxiety & depression.

I can relate to what you're saying about the folks not being too fond of being on the social welfare payments.

Personally I feel very negative towards going back to work of any kind.

This post isn't really helpful but at least you know there's others out there like yourself. Feel free to PM if ya need a chat on it.

Don't push yourself to go back to work too soon. No job is worth your health.

Take it handy buttie

LegacyUser

Im in a very similar position. Have been out of work for about 6 weeks due to anxiety/depression. Going back next week. It hard because work is a very important stabilising influence for a lot of us - the routine of work can be good for us I think.
I think you will need lots of support around you as you go back. Work itself wont make you sick but how you think about it could. I would let HR know it might even evoke some compassion. In the medium you could consider another job within the company or employer. In the long term you could consider change of career.

mikemac

Been very close to where you are OP.
On the verge of quitting many times due to stress and anxiety.
Of course if you tell anyone your problems they'll tell you "sure aren't you lucky to have a job!".
Maybe, but no job is worth your health or mental well being.
And I'd say this is becoming more and more common as employers lay off staff and expect the remaining staff to work miracles.

Now you don't have a job at the minute OP but you have skills and experience and you'll get another job, it's not all doom and gloom

Take your time, if you're not able for it don't push yourself too hard.
Is their another area you can transfer to. In my workplace this has been done before as people move away from a client facing role (and the clients are usually giving abuse :mad:) and into a back office role where there is more routine and less stress.

Best of luck

Thornography

Unregistered wrote: »

I would let HR know it might even evoke some compassion.

Its funny you say that. Several weeks ago I had a meeting with HR who were all *We will accommodate you as best we can if you decide to come back eary, Start you on a few days, even a few set hours*

Just got back from a meeting again today about discussing going back Monday and when I asked about hours I was told by the same lady, *Its in our policy that we don't do set hours, its either 40 or 20, That's your only choice*

There's no real support in a place like where I work. You do your job and your a ghost in there. You do it wrong your out the door. You don't put your hand out for help cause you`ll find spit in your palm.

Fcuk sake, I'm really down about going back. Being out there looking at over 200 unhappy faces at desks doing the same monotonous thing really just hit a nerve again

I am thinking I really should stay out of there for another while, ESPECIALLY after the rude meeting I had today.

I am pretty experience in most lines of jobs I guess, But most paths lead to the same setup that im currently in.

Bah I dont know what to do...