Need to resign as my health is worsening

Rik

luvpink

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/131759/need-to-resign-as-my-health-is-worsening

Hi and a very warm welcome to the community.

Please expand a bit if you require advice.

Rik

Worsening neck and back pain that originally started to get better and came back worse and also pain in legs from periphal artery disease when walking ,scared of taking time off sick as had 5 months off last year with mental health

Holly_Scope

Hi @Rik and welcome to the community. I'm really sorry you're not feeling well. Have you spoken with your employer about how you're feeling? It's important you look after your needs, and hopefully they'll support you if you need some time to recover.

Rik

Ive only told them about the leg pain with the artery disease but not my neck and back pain ,scared of taking time off sick because of time off a year ago and also the fact they are short-staffed at work ,ive done my job for 25 years hardly ever sick till my recent health problems

Holly_Scope

Bless you, it sounds like you put other people's needs before your own. It's definitely worth broaching the conversation with them. They should support you, and put the necessary cover in place to ensure you're not worried about this.

Alternatively, depending on how you're feeling (and only you know this) they might offer support such as an occupational health assessment to provide accessibility support/reduced hours. Again, only you know how you're feeling so don't feel pressured to pursue this if it isn't right for you. Please make sure you put yourself first and take the time you need.

It's important you look after your core needs and any employer should support you and not make you feel uncomfortable for doing that. 💛

Rik

I feel extremely anxious all the time which I think is worsening my health, im scared of saying how ill I am after the 5 month I had off last year,

noonebelieves

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1005949#Comment_1005949

@Rik
Hello, and welcome to this wonderful Scope forum!
I’m really sorry to hear about your conditions. I have neuropathy symptoms myself, and my GP suspects PAD due to a weak pulse. I’ve been referred to vascular surgery for further assessment, so I can understand some of the uncertainty and challenges you may be facing. I’m also on long-term sick leave, so I truly appreciate how much pain you must be enduring while continuing to work.
As @Holly_Scope mentioned, and from reading your post, you sound like a very conscientious person who puts the needs of others before your own. However, I want to reassure you that the conditions you listed fall under the category of long-term health conditions, and under the Equality Act 2010, your employer is legally required to provide reasonable adjustments once you disclose your disabilities and request support. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of—it’s your right as a disabled person. If your employer fails to offer reasonable adjustments, they could potentially be held legally accountable.
Also, please know that here on the Scope forum, you can be completely open. Many of us are in similar situations, and this is a safe, supportive space where no one will judge or discriminate. If anything is troubling you deep within , please don’t hesitate to ask-we’re here to support each other.
Wishing you all the best, and looking forward to catching up soon!

Rik

Thankyou so much I just wish things could get better ,someone told me who is not a doctor or anything I need to go on sick and let them dismiss me ,im really scared of not been able to get benefits if I resigned as I live on my own in rented property

Rik

Ive never been workshy in my life but I don't want to work anymore unless I get better I only sleep 4 hours half the time and the anxiety is becsuse of work ,im sorry to ramble on

pburns1337

I've resigned several jobs after clinging on for as long as I could, usually at least two years or so. It's a little heartbreaking every time, leaving work colleagues that you like and respect, facing financial uncertainty, leaving an activity that made you feel some self respect and made you feel you're contributing something to society. It's a very painful thing on top of all the other pain.

Rik

Will I get universal credit if I resign is what I'm scared of

luvpink

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1006128#Comment_1006128

Please don't resign.

Go off sick and take as much time as you need until they dismiss you.

Take care.

Bydand

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1006128#Comment_1006128

Hi, Do not in any circumstances resign as this will affect benefits you may be entitled to and this can be for a significant period of time.

I realise talking to an employer can be difficult and especially revealing things to them such as health problems and your struggles. It can often feel like putting your head on the chopping block as you never know how they will react and it’s only natural to fear the unknown. 99 percent of the time though it can just be our own fear perceptions of what will happen rather than what actually happens.
I do feel that having an honest conversation with your employer would be best though as the status quo as it currently stands is not healthy or effective in helping either yourself or employer.

Having everything out in the open allows all parties to understand the difficulties involved but can allow various processes to kick in such as an Occupational health referral etc.

It would be best to be guided by OH and the recommendations they might come to. OH act as a go between so to speak and their advice is generally accepted by an employer…..These recommendations could be reasonable adjustments under a variety of guises with a view to keeping you at work which your employer is at least legally bound to consider or put in place.

It can be beneficial to belong to a workplace union too and get guidance from them.

If you have been thinking about resigning because you have been struggling then you are already in a position and at a time in your life when you have nothing to lose by approaching your employer….if you resign then you lose out, you will still have health issues as they aren’t automatically going to stop, but you will have no income…..if after consultation with OH you are offered reasonable adjustments then you will at least be in a position to see if things improve ( even slightly) whilst still being paid.

If during a period of reasonable adjustments it becomes clear to all parties that they are not working then at that time other things can be looked at. It may be you’re employer could offer redundancy, or dismissal under medical capability or even suggest ill health retirement.

Do not feel that you are rocking the boat by being honest with your employer, you need to be proactive in order to get the very best outcome for yourself.

I also realise that going sick can feel like a horrible thing to do and that you are letting others down, I know I felt like that and I had years of both short and very long term sick periods due to my health. Ultimately though your health is more important than anything else despite having a strong sense of loyalty to any employer.

As an employee though you are allowed to go sick when you need to but this really should be as a last resort, but you do need to be aware that an employer will have its own rules and procedures for managing sick periods, usually these are under the absence management policy which I suggest you familiarise yourself with as it should clearly lay out the procedures involved in managing an employee who has time off. A Long term sick period should automatically raise an OH referral.

Long story short, do not resign as there is zero benefit to you in doing so, get OH involved and be guided by them and do not feel that you let anyone down by possibly needing time off.

Resigning might feel like the best and quickest option but it is definitely not the ideal way forward. Exhaust all other avenues first…..if the shoe was on the other foot you can bet that anyone else finding themselves in your situation will want the best outcome they could get.

Good luck moving forward

S