Left job 'voluntarily'?! Am I going to get stung?

CamillaRhodes

Hi all. I applied for JSA almost 5 weeks ago, still haven't heard anything and trying to be patient. I'm starting to get nervous, though, reading about people being denied JSA for their first 9 weeks of unemployment because they left their jobs voluntarily.

Here's my story. I'm 29. Spent the last 2 years working overseas in a former war zone, very highly stressful environment. During the time I was there, my office had grenades thrown against it twice, my (private) car had it's window shot up, when parked outside my home, and I had a stalker follow me home at night and try to break into my flat on a number of occasions. At the same time, my previous relationship broke down, and the general living environment was difficult - very polluted, electricity cuts all the time, etc. During my first year there, I really had a bit of a meltdown, and my GP here in Dublin diagnosed me with depression. I couldn't afford to quit the job at that stage though, as I had debts to pay, and so returned back over there. I was on anti-anxiety medication for much of the last 18 months.

Anyway, the reason for the sob story is to explain why I ended up quitting. Yes, I left that job voluntarily, but because I felt if I stayed much longer I was going to crack up entirely. You could even say I left for health reasons, though I don't have anything from a doctor now telling me I should quit.

Incidentally, I should add (don't know if this makes any difference): I actually quit the job to take up a new post, doing something completely different and hopefully less stressful, in Greece. When I arrived to Greece, it turned out I had been completely duped by the guy who recruited me (who was an alcoholic and compulsive liar - I sure know how to find 'em!) and the job didn't really exist, was in sh*tty conditions etc, so I didn't stay.

Hence, I find myself back at home and hoping I'll be accepted onto JSA. I realise this sounds more like a personal issues thread than State Benefits, but I really am concerned that having left my job 'voluntarily' rather than being made redundant, may have just cost me a lot of money. Do I need to give up any hope of enjoying Christmas?

Any advice?

tomred1

I personnaly wouldn't disallow this claim but on the other hand it does sound a bit unbelievable. BTW what country were you working in?

CamillaRhodes

Why does it sound unbelievable? I was representing the Irish government though a governmental organisation working to build human rights and democracy in conflict zones.

I was working in Kosovo, in a divided town in the north called Mitrovica. I was a human rights monitor in the field.

Here's one report of an incident that happened during my stay. My office was next door to the courthouse.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,RFERL,,SRB,4562d8b62,47dfc0121c,0.html

DanR

CamillaRhodes wrote: »

Why does it sound unbelievable?
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,RFERL,,SRB,4562d8b62,47dfc0121c,0.html

I don't think any offence was meant but it's a bit different from, "I left my job because there were limited promotion opportunities" or "The travelling was a bit much"

CamillaRhodes

DanR wrote: »

I don't think any offence was meant but it's a bit different from, "I left my job because there were limited promotion opportunities" or "The travelling was a bit much"

Guess so. But so, do you think this would be considered a legitimate reason for quitting, and hence I wouldn't get stung for the 9 weeks without JSA?

(i.e., can I afford to go out for a couple of pints tonight or not? )

Xiney

I think it's unlikely that they will decide that you left your job for no good reason.

I think also the fact that you left to take another post that then fell through will also help your case.

With that said, we can't say for sure, so if you want to save the pints for when the decision is made, that would likely be wise..

Balagan

The length of your wait for JSA processing shouldn't alarm you. But there might be some concern about whether you are ready and able for work if you have given them the history outlined here. To get JSA you have to be available and fit to work. If I were you, I would be applying for jobs and keeping a record of replies, interviews etc., so that in case the Social W request it, you have such evidence available.

CamillaRhodes

Thanks for the replies, all.

Balagan, I am actively looking for work at the moment and have sent a number of applications (though alas no responses yet). The knot of anxiety which I carried with me for almost 2 years dissipated as soon as I left my former working environment - being home is doing me loads of good, and hence I want to stay here and seek work here, rather than going back to overseas mission work again. I believe I am absolutely 'fit' for work, if only somebody will have me!

The reassurance has been great, thanks guys - but shall limit myself to just one or two tonight, though

TheBeach

If you were working for the Irish Government would you not have stamps/prsi contributions paid in this country for the time you were away? This means you'd be entitled to Jobseekers Benefit rather than allowance and your claim shouldn't take so long. Also I doubt they'd penalise you for 9 weeks for leaving this job considering the circumstances you were under.

CamillaRhodes

TheBeach, no, unfortunately it doesn't work that way with the organisation I worked for (long boring story). No PRSI contributions here so JSA only. Thanks for the reassurance about the 9 weeks tho

billy the squid

Is it possible to make contact with the doctor who first prescribed the medication. he may still have a file on you and would be able to compile a letter stating that you were put on medication.

Also, you might need to visit a doctor here to state that your health has since improved so that you can qualify for JSA. if you can't do that you might have to apply for disability benefit.