Job struggle

Epicbutterfly

First time poster here so take it easy on me! I'm looking for some advice.. Lately Ive been having very tough personal
Problems within my family. I've been to the doctors and being treated for depression. I've worked for the same company for 18months now and I've always been extremely hard working. My Team Manager however is a nightmare. Totally micromanages the entire day and is a robot to personal problems. I've been signed off with stress the past 3 weeks to try and get myself sorted. Now boss has told me i must meet Occupational health and I'm being out under a lot of pressure to return to my job. I am considering handing in my notice as I cannot even think about returning to work. Any advice on what I should do?

Dave!

Not sure what "Occupational health" is—is that some department in your job that would handle this kind of thing? If so I would say there's no harm in doing that. Your employer should accommodate you while you're unwell, but you can meet them half-way too to keep them in the loop.

It might be helpful for your GP to give your boss a call, if not your manager then perhaps HR (or someone who isn't a c*nt!). Either way you should probably talk to your GP about this.

Your health should come first, so I wouldn't let them pressure you into going back prematurely. If you can afford it, then as a last resort quit rather than put yourself under more pressure. But don't make any rash decisions either.

I'd have a read of your contract too. I dunno if there is a statutory obligation for indefinite sick leave, so you'd want to make sure everything is copacetic from that perspective.

username123

Dave! wrote: »

It might be helpful for your GP to give your boss a call, if not your manager then perhaps HR (or someone who isn't a c*nt!).

Absolutely not! The OPs medical condition is information of a sensitive nature that need never be directly disclosed to the boss. If the company wish to verify that the OP is unfit for work they can have a company appointed doctor examine the OP and agree or disagree that the OP needs to be off but the details of the OPs condition are a private medical matter.

OP if you are unwell you do not have to return to work. However, if your workplace conditions exacerbate your condition then you need to be practical. Can you be moved within the company away from the problematic team manager? There is little point in staying in a role that stresses you out and affected your mental health but you can be smart about it and get out there job hunting and get something lined up beforehand, it'll look better on the Cv not to have a gap and sound better in an interview, that you wanted to move on rather than walk out.

Epicbutterfly

Unfortunately there is no way that I can move department. When I started 18 months ago I've had the same Team Manager. In that time I've seen 5 people quit the job or leave mainly because of her! Being sick is a huge No No and a massive black mark in her book if you are ever to up skill as she is the one to put us forward for new positions. Thanks for all the advice so far.

Maura74

Go to see Occupational Health, but asked for a copy of the report. Also keep a diary of dates and times of times that the manager has been unreasonable to you. Sounds like a large company as small companies do not refer employees to OHA as it cost money. Check contract and up to date policies for the company. Ask for a copy of the staff handbook which will be with HR. It is possible that you condition may fall within the disability act. Not sure of employment law in Ireland but check with your citizen advice bureau about your rights at work.

Best of Luck

Epicbutterfly

The last time I spoke to my manager she wanted to know if my GP had put me on medication and in the background I could clearly make out she was writing down everything I was saying. That made things even worse as I feel terrible. My Occupational Health meeting is next week.

username123

Epicbutterfly wrote: »

The last time I spoke to my manager she wanted to know if my GP had put me on medication and in the background I could clearly make out she was writing down everything I was saying. That made things even worse as I feel terrible. My Occupational Health meeting is next week.

Your manager cannot ask you for any specifics regarding your medical condition and feel free to inform her of that. All she is entitled to know is that a doctor has signed you unfit to work. She is on shaky legal ground doing that, you can go above her or to HR and make a complaint.

ABajaninCork

At this point, I'd be looking for legal advice from an employment solicitor or contacting NERA in advance of the OH meeting. This manager seems to be skirting perilously close to a nice little constructive dismissal case...

Going to the OH meeting is a good idea. I would go and take notes of the meeting. Ask for a copy of the minutes. Maura74's advice is spot on.

It is none of the manager's business what was discussed at your doctor consultations. I would politely point that out to her too.

Epicbutterfly

I feel like I'm a criminal for being sick! That's how bad she has worn me down and made me feel. She says things like "we must think of the business" and "set a realistic expectation for our customers" ie When will you come back to work.

ABajaninCork

Epicbutterfly wrote: »

I feel like I'm a criminal for being sick! That's how bad she has worn me down and made me feel. She says things like "we must think of the business" and "set a realistic expectation for our customers" ie When will you come back to work.

A lot of brain-dead managers think like that, I'm afraid...

Your health is your wealth, as my husband would say. Take care of that, and everything will follow.

In my last job in the UK, there was a spate of people literally dying on the job. One lady that sat next to me had a brain hemorrhage and collapsed in front of me. She unfortunately didn't make it. Lovely girl, and very hard worker. She would often still be in the office even after we left at 6-6.30pm, trying to make an impression in order to get promotion.

You know what? After that poor girl died, the world didn't come to an end. All her manager did was re-distribute the work, which they should have done in the first place. The business kept going.

Do you see my point?

You look after YOU! Don't pay any mind to what this manager says. If the worst should happen, you won't starve. The State will look after you until you get on your feet again.

gugleguy

OP, have you forged any working relationships in there or is it a keep the head down scenario. Is it an American company? I don't need to know which one. They seem to be more aggressive in this area. Keep your chin up in any case.

username123

Epicbutterfly wrote: »

I feel like I'm a criminal for being sick! That's how bad she has worn me down and made me feel. She says things like "we must think of the business" and "set a realistic expectation for our customers" ie When will you come back to work.

Take the advice above, see an employment solicitor or contact Nera. This is close to bullying, Id be clamming up until I got legal advice if I were you.

Maura74

Also go back to your GP and tell s/he what is happening at work and it is hindering your recovery. Keep your GP in the loop.

Epicbutterfly

I will defiantly go to the meeting with OH and see what they have to say. I'm applying for new jobs today and fingers crossed 2014 will be a better year for me. Thanks to each and everyone of you for the advice.

Maura74

If you are applying for another job, you will need them for a reference therefore play the game with them, be as flexible as you can. hey may want to reduce staff if they are not doing too well and may offer you a comprise agreement, which I doubt but you never know, if that should happen take the money but also get a good reference from them as part of the agreement.

Constructive dismissed is very difficult to win and very stressful. You are young and need to other employment.

They should be making reasonable adjustment such as reducing hours and or a phase back to work your GP can recommend this on a medical certificate until you are fully able to return to work full time. Your manager should not be harassing you while you are signed off by your GP, but going to their OHA is a step forward, but it would depend on the OHA ie how much s/he is their pocket.

Epicbutterfly

It is a large and well known company but the rules about being sick isn't clearly in black and white anywhere in the employee handbook. A few colleagues of mine are on a verbal warning for being sick twice in 1 year. My doctor cannot believe the stress that work has me under over being off certified.

username123

Epic - while I totally support you in this situation I must point out, that we are all responsible for improving our own lots in life and a job with a nasty boss that causes a lot of stress simply isnt worth it. Your health is your wealth. I am not saying that you quit the job and feel better (indeed, being unemployed brings its own stresses), but that you look to improve your situation by looking for a new job. In addition to that, you need to stop taking on so much stress. So the boss is hassling you re being off sick - take the call, give little info, hang up and shrug - legally its all on your side, so dont be stressing about the things she is saying after the call - its not your problem to give the customers a realistic expectation - its hers. Dont take on that worry - leave it with her.

I am also in a job with a horrible micro managing a$$hole boss. Im not stressed at all. I let him micromanage - I get to take home the same pay whether he micromanages or not. He is an unpleasant passive aggressive individual also, but I just view the job as a stop gap til I get another job. It doesnt matter if it takes 6 months or a year or even 2 years - for now the bills are being paid while I look for something else. You need to start looking at things this way too.

Maura74

+1 above post

Also if the company is big, you could asked to be moved to another dept or floor within the company and that would be an adjustment for you, plus you would get away from s!th manager.