Not Sure What To Do About Work...

[FAR]

Hello Everyone. I would really like some advice please, as I just don't know what to do.

I have a chronic illness, which in the last couple of years has started to affect me and my life more and more. I am in constant pain, from moderate to severe [depending on what I am doing]. Even walking will increase the pain, and it does not stop straight away if I stop what I am doing. As it has been getting a lot worse lately, I feel like I cannot cope with my job anymore. [I am an assistant manager, and I work 3 days a week, but it is hard work].

On top of this, my boss just does not understand at all. We get on okay to chat, but we would never be friends outside of work, and she can be very angry and mean for no reason.

I have been looking for another job for a long time now, but unfortunately haven't been successful. I went to the doctors at the start of this week and he was so supportive and understanding, and has signed me off work for 2 weeks [and maybe for longer].

Basically, I have been weighing up the pros and cons, and when I go back to work I want to quit. I just can't do it anymore. I am in so much pain, and so so tired, and all for a horrible boss who doesn't appreciate anything I do. I know it would be better to wait till I get another job, but I have been trying for so long, and I just don't know how much longer I can go on like this. I have a bit of money saved up, and I would be able to live off that whilst looking for another job.

Sorry this post is so long - I wanted to give as much info as I could. I am just wondering what you would do in this situation? Would it be wrong to quit my job?

Thank you!

 

[Twister]

If I had the money saved to live on, and the pros of leaving outweighed the cons of leaving, then I would leave. Especially if you're in a lot of pain and under a lot of stress, at the end of the day you need to put yourself and your health (physical and mental) first.

That being said, you don't know exactly how long you'd be out of work for, how would you cope if you ran out of money before you managed to find another job?

 

[FAR]

Thank you for your reply!

These are the sort of things that go around and round in my head. But actually, because of my ill-health, I get some Disability Living Allowance, which does cover my rent and a bit more. I would have to make sure I am careful with my spending, but that is totally fine to me as I tend to live off the essentials and not much more anyway.

So really, even if it does take me a long time to find a more suitable job, I still have some money coming in, and I don't need to worry about that.

 

[cherry_pie]

If you can afford to live, then I don't see what is wrong with leaving your job. It is for a sensible reason (reducing your pain and looking after your health!) and then you could maybe look for something that would be easier on you later on (if you feel up to it) but I don't think you should feel pressured into working for the sake of working when you have ill health!

 

[FAR]

Thank you for your reply

It helps to have your input on it. I think because really I know that I have good reasons to leave, yet I still feel guilty for it or something, so I was getting quite confused. And because my boss just does not understand at all [or even try to] and treats me as if I am faking it or just skiving or something, I was worrying that everyone would see it like that.

But I have very good reasons, and I have always worked extremely hard, and me and my family know that. I think I will definitely be quiting. And once I've had a bit of a break I will continue to look for a different job, and do some voluntary work in the meantime

 

[Sproglet]

FAR- as you get DLA would you qualify for ESA as well if you are struggling to work? Even if you only qualified for a year it would give you time to look for something else.

 

[FAR]

Thank you for the information. I didn't realise this was available at all. I've had a look on the Directgov website, and I think it means that I could only apply for it if I am off sick for so long that I no longer get paid sick pay. I think what I really ought to do is go to citizen's advice and find out what I'd be entitled to, and what way to go about it.

 

[MrsRH]

FAR- as you get DLA would you qualify for ESA as well if you are struggling to work? Even if you only qualified for a year it would give you time to look for something else.

not necessarily, depends on why you get DLA

you don't automatically qualify for ESA if you get DLA

x

 

[Sproglet]

You don't automatically qualify, no. But DLA only looks at ability to walk, and self care. If you are struggling with those to the extent that the government actually admits you need help, then it is likely that you will qualify for ESA as well, as ability to walk, self care, and a host of other stuff is covered.

Anyway, here's a link that will let you decide whether you think you will qualify or not. https://www.tameside.gov.uk/esa/wca

As far as I can tell, you would be eligible if you weren't working for whatever reason, which would include quitting your job (I guess it would support your application though, that you have been off sick- it proves you haven't quit because you're lazy, but for genuine health reasons!)

And by the way, when you do go back to work, if you are working 16+ hours, with the DLA you will be entitled to the disability element of working tax credits, every little helps!

 

[FAR]

Thank you for the info, I'll check it out