Terminated from work

[MM15]

High stress role that eventually became too much led to long term depression and anxiety. 
 

After utilising all my sick leave (5 months) and having had a medical review which concluded I wasn’t ready to return, I was terminated by work. 
 

I ended up putting in a late general

protections claim but couldn’t manage it and bailed out early. Work objected to the delay brought in an external

legal team and it became expensive and far too stressful.

Income protection has started, which I am thankful for. 
 

Am wondering if I should look at work cover.

how stressful is all this? 

[Sophie_M]

Welcome to the forums and thank you for your bravery and openness in sharing here. It’s a really good place to have come to hear from others. We think sharing here is a great step towards feeling better.
If you want to talk through what you’re feeling at any time, the Beyond Blue Support Line is here for you 24/7. It’s ok to reach out when you’re feeling anxious or upset, they can talk you through some ways to find a bit of calm, and then help you to figure out some options for further support.
We’re sure we’ll hear from the lovely community soon, but in the meantime, here’s some strategies you might like to have a look at it. We understand you might have been through some of these in the past and it might feel like cold comfort right now, but they’re here in case they do pique your interest:

Thanks again for sharing. We’re here to listen and offer support, and you never know how your story might help someone else.

[Summer Rose]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry that you've been waiting a while for a response, sometimes that happens here at the forum.  But I will try to help as much as I can.

I'm really sorry that you are experiencing depression and anxiety and that your employer decided to terminate your employment following a lengthy absence.  I know this must have been extremely difficult for you, along with it being so very unfair.  Hugs to you.

Of course, it is your right to consider work cover and lodge a claim.  While the system is designed to protect the worker, unfortunately many people do find making a claim to be a stressful experience.

In a past role, I managed work cover claims on behalf of an employer.  In simple terms, this is how this situation would generally play out in the Victorian system, keeping in mind that I am not a lawyer or expert. 

Even though you are no longer working for the employer, your claim will cost them money in the form of higher premiums (they cover the cost of the claim).  However, once the claim is accepted they no longer have a say in how it is managed and there is obviously no employer for you to return to work to.

That means the insurer is not influenced by your former employer and in most cases they won't pay a lot of attention to the claim--which will make it easier for you, as no one is clamouring for your return to work or pushing them to make decisions favourable to the employer.   

However, this means that this type of claim can typically become lengthy and expensive.  And this means that your former employer will likely fight very very hard at the start to stop your claim from being accepted.  However, if it is accepted, I believe you will find they system fair and likely not too stressful.  Work cover will also have the responsibility to help you "return to work", although I'm not sure if that means they have to find you employment.  You'd have to look into what your responsibilities with regard to returning to work would be.

I would encourage you to consider obtaining legal advice before you commence the claim.

Hope this help.  Happy to talk some more.

Kind thoughts to you