Barely hanging on at work. Help!

[Guest_9870]

I am anyday away now from doing the flight, leaving work completely once again. I have fought my demons, even spoke about them to the managers and now they have put pressure on me and i don't want to go back.

Is there any way a doctor can give me a certificate for this matter, and what are my options? I really do not want to face the pressure. Its not fair that they did this to me after i told them my problems.

Please help with advice if anyone can on what i can do, if i can leave without notice ( i know its not ideal but i feel theres no choice atm)

Please and thankyou

[Guest_9870]

thankyou for your response snd understanding, i got a certificate for centrelink, but now have the trouble of leaving work without notice. Too much anxiety to go back.

[Croix]

Dear Angie26~

I'm very pleased you got a certificate, can you simply mail a copy in to your work in lieu of notice?

What are your plans now?

Croix

[White_Rose]

Hello Angie

I have had a quick look through the posts and want to give you some information, though it may be late in coming. If you are physically unwell your GP can give you a medical certificate to say you cannot work. You can then take the required time off.

If you are unable to work because of your mental illness you can also get a medical certificate from your GP, but it would be better coming from a psychiatrist who is a specialist doctor in mental health. You can also get a medical certificate from the psychiatrist to say you are unable to carry out out the duties of the job you were employed to do.

The organisation should find other duties for you but it is difficult to enforce this and if it is a small company they may not have the capacity to do this. Not having capacity is one reason a company can be exempt.

May I suggest you see your psychiatrist and discuss the type of work suited to your capacity and skills. Ask for a report and take this to CentreLink and your job centre so that you are not sent for jobs that you cannot manage at this time. I'm not sure if this will help in restoring your benefits. I would think it should be since you were sent to work in a job that was not suitable. However, CentreLink is not something I know much about. I do know about HR, duties, time off etc and also bullying at work, which quite frankly sounds happening to you.

I cannot see any reason you would need legal advice but that is up to you. There are costs involved although you can talk to the Women's Legal Service in your state and they will arrange one or two free sessions with a lawyer if necessary. You can also apply to Legal Aid but I am unsure what they can offer. Perhaps you can search online for your state Legal Aid office.

I have been presuming you see a psychiatrist but if not then my words are not as helpful as I hoped. You can ask for a referral to a psychiatrist and then start taking about the suggestions above. Probably not as good to see a psychologist however good they are and mostly they are good. Psychiatrist can prescribe medication and also take a different view of mental health, in general, to psychologists.

Hope some of this helps, if not for your present predicament at least in future.

Mary

[Guest_9870]

Hi mary thankyou for your reponse. I have continued working there and my mental health is getting worse. Im rostered on for next week and do not want to go. Ive already had some time off and came back for a week and i am scared now to say i cant come back again with short notice, but i really cant take it anymore, im lost in my head on what to do.

i havent been able to go to new pysch appointments as My pysch i have seen before( about 6 months ago) couldnt see me ( as my work is full time) so i have to see a new one.

I really appreciate your advice though really appreciate the effort.

[Guest_9870]

Hi Croix, sorry for the delayed reply. I tried really hard to continue on at this place but my mental health is much worse, i need to get out. Im rostered on for next week and still going around in my mind thinking of what to do.

I want to make sure i get paid so i think i have to go, but i feel like i cant take it anymore. Feeling lost.

Thankyou for your response and advice tho, its helped me get along.

[White_Rose]

Hello Angie

If you cannot get to your psych in time ask your GP for a medical certificate. When you ask for an appointment tell the receptionist you need a medical certificate for work. They should see you straight away because there's not much in having a certificate a week later and your GP cannot back date the certificate.

I think that being afraid to ask for time off shows how much stress you are experiencing. It is not your job to solve your employer's staffing problems. You have a duty to yourself to stay well. Whoops, that sounds a bit directive but it's not meant that way. If working there is making you ill you need a different job. I know it's easy for me to say and jobs are not easy to get. Staying in a job that causes so much distress without getting help may simply be loading yourself up for major problems ahead.

I see Croix is talking with you which is great. He suggests mailing a copy of your certificate to work. Another option is to scan it and attach it to an email. Explain your reasons. This will be far less threatening for you while still allowing you to take time off.

Can you ask your GP to speed up an appointment with your new psych? The longer you stay at work and the longer you go without professional help the more difficult I feel your life is getting. Try to treat yourself as you would treat someone in your position. What would you do or say?

Mary

[Guest_9870]

Hi Mary, thankyou for your reponse. You have made me feel better and supported about making a decision that is right for me. As it feels like no one else close to me understands why i cant just keep going. Im feeling so stressed and its hard to make a decision, i keep going back and forth in my mind and running out of time about next week. I think you are right if i feel like this its not right for me. It is a stressful job and isn't worth it. I just feel like i have let my self down by not coping and keep "going" like everyone tells me. I will hopefully get a certificate tonight and hope the managers are not annoyed but i have to look out for my health aso.

[White_Rose]

Hello Angie

It is difficult for those who have not experienced any mental health difficulties to understand how we feel and why we say or do something that seems incomprehensible to them. When we get the 'flu we know to go to bed for a couple of days rest then get going again. Mental health is not like that. We can experience changes in mood for all sorts of reasons and often they follow on from each other quite quickly. We do not expect someone with the 'flu to jump out of bed and put in a hard day's work.

MI (mental illness) changes from day to day . We are plagued by own guilty feelings that we 'should' be well, we 'should' carry on with our lives no matter what is happening, we 'should' put our illness aside and get on with life. I wish.

What we can do is get help from a mental health expert, which may be your GP, and learn why we are what we are. Not flawed or lazy, not being sorry for ourselves or attention seeking. If we could 'pull ourselves together' does anyone really think we would not do so. If I could have got rid of my depression by hard work I would be the happiest person around. We are not unwell by choice.

However we can help ourselves by asking for help from MH professionals and working towards our own wellness. It is a hard road as you know and often seems lonely. That's why BB exists, to give you a sanctuary from those who do not understand, unconditional support on your journey and lots of encouragement at every stage as you get well.

It is hard to explain. I remember after my daughter had given birth to her first child she asked me why I had not told her what it was like. I asked her what she was going to say to her daughter when that time came. She thought about it for a few seconds before saying, "Ah yes I see". Some things are indeed lost in translation.

I know those rat thoughts that keep running round your mind. Noisy and embarrassing. Hopefully your psych will be able to give you ways to manage this.

I think we both agree a new job is in order so that's where the bulk of your mind needs to be. Can you negotiate shorter hours at work? When I was going through a bad time this was something my psych arranged for me. He wanted me to take time off completely but I needed to feel worthwhile and I managed my depression.

Have a good think about your options and tell us what you have decided.

Mary