Bipolar…..employment or not??

polarpad

Hi all, I’ve managed my bipolar quite well since diagnosis  approx 10yrs ago when I turned 40…after a few mad mad years I managed to get back to work and eventually found a full time job….working on the highways.
in the last 18 months my Bipolar has become very erratic  and I’ve had approx 12 of the 18 months off work. My employer is attempting to dismiss me due to length of time off, which at times is making my Bipolar/life unbearable. My question is should I quit work for Benefits, I already get a top up via UC & receive an element of PIP. 

I would love to say at
my job but can’t see me having it much longer and don’t no if I can face attempting to find employment else were when the likelihood is I will be in the same boat somewhere down the line!!!
i prefer working keeping
busy, but don’t no how much more of this what feels like persecution from my employer, all be it I do understand we’re there coming from!!
thanks in advance 
Polarpad

janer1967

Hi 

I would never advise to just quit but go through the company process which may involve medical dismissal.  They will have a policy in place which you should try get a copy of 

Some employers pay a severance tho there is no legal requirement to do so bit you would miss out if you just quit 

They may also be able to make reasonable adjustments to keep you in work 

polarpad

Thanks for the message, our comments policy states 3 or more absences in a 12 month period and you trigger a stage, there reasonable adjustment was to make mine 5 occasions before trigger, but due to me really having a bad time I hit that with in 2 months! To me a useless adjustment for bipolar 

janer1967

That is a common reasonable adjustment 

Have you had a long absence rather than many short term 

As advised I would just go with what the company put in place rather than quit but I understand the pressure this can put on you . I know you mentioned triggers for stages of absence but what is the medical dismissal policy