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I am so down i lost my job through dismissal of health grounds

miw1246_

I lost my job due to not being well enough to continue working even though it was to do with a incident at work I complained about which made me mentally unwell and I had time off work thinking I could recover from it but my work just wanted me out. I havent got the energy to fight anymore I can barely function but I feel so hopeless I am now out of routine and dont even no what my future entails anymore its like I have lost a peice of me 💔 has anyone else felt pushed out of a job or been medically dismissed and actually seen light at the end of the tunnel?

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Rosie_Scope

I'm really sorry that's happened to you @miw1246_,, that sounds really stressful.

Do you think you could help yourself get into a routine at home just to give yourself some structure? For example, setting certain activities for the day or week and ticking them off as you complete them. Or concentrating on your interests or hobbies if that's something you're able to do at the moment. I know it may not be that easy though.

If you'd be interested to get back into work eventually, Scope have some services that might be helpful to you: https://www.scope.org.uk/employment-services

I'm sure some members will have some ideas to share too so I hope they'll be along soon.

miw1246_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1099442#Comment_1099442

I really try hard to get up and do stuff even if its just making a cup of tea or trying to eat but going out gives me panic now and the thoughts just loop constantly. I just feel so disheartened by the effects of what happened in the job and the aftermath of it. It was very stressful and alot of people are burnout but I never thought it would happen to me I thought I could of been stronger and continued to solider on but I just burnt out and became to mental unwell to continue. I think I need to accept it but its hard when you have been there for over 10 years. I am trying to take steps to recover but its very difficult atm. I do appreciate your reply x

Rosie_Scope

I totally understand that @miw1246_, it sounds like you've been through a lot and it's not easy to pick yourself up afterwards when everything feels so difficult. Are you getting any support for what you've been through? For example, from any doctors or mental health professionals?

miw1246_

Yes iam under a psychiatrist and currently on antidepressants but because I think ived only just been dismissed ived not had time to accept/grieve it as its only just ended so I think the whole time i have been on the sick its like it was constantly there. I just hope I see this as a good thing in the future, heal and find a more suitable work place that isn't toxic and make people mentally unwell

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1099447#Comment_1099447

Rosie_Scope

I hope so too @miw1246_. It's hard to process something that you're still living so as you say, it may be that you've not had time to deal with the grief of it all, and I'd imagine that's pretty heavy.

Do you have support from any friends and family too? I know sometimes it can be difficult for people to understand but chatting it out can sometimes be helpful.

miw1246_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1099452#Comment_1099452

I do have support but I feel there are getting fed up of me going on and on about the same thing which I am too tbh it does get draining and also alot of people dont understand mental health. I just pray I feel better and being out of the environment that made me ill may make me better soon 🙏

northwestlondon

so sorry you are going through this I was in a similar situation not worked since November 2025 please be assured there is something out there for you as there is for us all I haven’t found anything to do myself and am still looking sometimes things can happen when we least expect them to do not give up keep on going what’s for you will never pass you by trust the universe to provide I really hope your situation gets better.

miw1246_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1100332#Comment_1100332

Thankyou for your reply

Its very hard to look for work when your so unwell but once iam better iam hoping the universe points me in the right direction. Have you been actively looking for work? Or are you still recovering yourself

I just hope there is plenty of help for people like us and I wish you all the best too 🙏

Mijuka

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/143695/i-am-so-down-i-lost-my-job-through-dismissal-of-health-grounds

very sad and frustrating.

northwestlondon

I am ready to work just it’s hard as I will either have to try get something near to home as my walking is bad and going on public transport is hard I get very nervous incase I fall over and during rush hour etc another option is try to start something online myself who knows I think I need to find something even one or two days a week to try get into some sort of routine I am up all hours and sleep at diffrent times during the day everything is all over the place in any way I hope you get better and can move on with things thanks for the reply

StarryEyed

I know this might sound a bit silly, but this Winnie the Pooh video really helps me when I feel buried by insurmountable challenges like you guys seem to be feeling. I'm feeling like that right now too, for different reasons. Maybe it will help even a teensie bit....

https://youtube.com/shorts/sIp6kSj_Y0M?si=pkEPXrTC3pCiGQId

miw1246_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1100583#Comment_1100583

Aww I love winner the poo 🍯

Sending healing hugs 🫂

miw1246_

Sending healing hugs 🫂

StarryEyed

Thank you and right back atcha ❤️😘🫂😊

Viscount

Firstly - there IS light at the end of the tunnel. DON'T SUFFER in silence… make sure you talk to your friends/family. You need them more than ever. I've been through it - so speak with some experience… and 20+ years later, I am still here and ok, its not the "life" I expected, but over time I have adapted, battled my way through the wonders of the DWP and got through it.

Basically I worked in the Civil Service (was with them 28yrs) and worked my way up to a middle-management role and had 12members of staff to manage (all varied ages/experiences) and I was always viewed as the "person to go to" for advice if there was a problem - and I was also known as firm but fair. Never had any disciplinary issues, blemish free work record always getting high marks in my annual report and even got letters of appreciation from public and given internal official commendation certificates. Wasn't an angel, but I took my role seriously and worked hard, often staying late (without claiming overtime) etc.

THEN, I had a new boss - who hated me from day 1. He made my life a misery… from "forgetting" to leave me out of emails (so I made decisions, not knowing his new policy changes he had implemented) so it looked like I was incompetent or defying him; I later found out that he had told one of my staff that if she "spied on me" he would ensure that she got my job; he consistently marked me down on my annual report - saying I had an "over inflated impression of my own competence"; when I applied for internal transfers - he deliberately delayed sending them off to HR and wrote nasty comments with no evidence to back up; if I asked for annual leave (even 8mths in advance to go to a wedding) I would not get the authorisation until the day before (too late to book at the hotel) or if I asked for a week off, I would only get Mon-Weds and Fri off. He knew every trick in the book to do all these things with no witnesses, or would literally work to the letter of every rule, showed no flexibility and always had a water-tight "business case" to back up his decisions.

After nearly a year, after I submitted a fairness at work complaint in to HR, and saw the Head of Department….my line manager subsequently called me in to have a "chat" about something to do with work, and then he told me that he would make it his mission to "get me out" and THEN I discovered that he was homophobic bigot because he said that he "didn't want my sort of people in HIS department, and he wanted disgusting people like me OUT" and went into a tirade of homophobic abuse (sadly no witness). Anyhow there were loads more things he did, but you get the idea.

He made my life a misery and I went from "top marks/excellent employee" to being a social pariah, viewed as incompetent, unreliable, my 28yrs of good reputation was ruined and to my own disappointment, in the end I helped him. My timekeeping became shoddy, I missed deadlines, I got very stroppy, showed my frustrations and bit people's head off, my sick record went through the roof, I became a different person - completely opposite to what I was before he arrived. And of course the "spy" (unbeknown to me) put rumours around telling everyone about anything I did wrong, and even put it round that I was promiscuous and wasn't going to physio appointments but to the STI clinic etc etc… all of which were untrue. In the end I had a NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, could hardly function, went on anti-depressants and was off-sick for 10mths. Even when I was in hospital - my line manager wanted to come to visit me to tick the box, so he looked as he was a nice person! I got into debt, and eventually I was dismissed for "gross misconduct"… I was so anxious of seeing him (even the brown envelopes from work an the DWP sent my heart racing) and even walking into any Govt office felt SO intimidating that I couldn't even go to my hearing. 28yrs of loyal service ended with the stroke of pen. He won and yes "the spy" was put in my role. I didn't have the strength to fight them at an Employment Tribunal, I just walked away and hid. It was the worst time of my life. I applied for hundreds of jobs, but of course no-one would hire me, but to satisfy the DWP to get JSA, I applied over and over again… even the DWP wrongly kept me on JSA for months… I had no idea this was the wrong benefit to claim and they didn't help much either!!!

Eventually with my parent's help and a few well-trusted non-work old school friends, I soon got proper medical treatment, both mentally and physically from my GP. I applied for DLA (before PIP) and ESA, and a debt counselling charity helped me sort out a payment plan to pay off my credit card debts etc…. and slowly by slowly over about a year, I could see things improving. Luckily I had a Labrador dog, so it meant I had to get out of the house, and her routine helped me go out, but there were days I had to force myself. I eventually returned to the real world (previously watching TV 24/7, comfort eating and not leaving the sofa, not shaving etc etc)….

I had felt utterly humiliated, useless and ashamed of being "sacked" (first time ever!!!) so if anyone asked I told them I had been medically retired. I lost lots of friends because I had become almost a recluse, and I stopped all contact with work friends as I couldn't trust them - so my GP referred me to a local "wellbeing" class at the leisure centre for light exercise as my hips and knees are arthritic and I'm awaiting replacements etc… but I've met a new lot of people who didn't know anything (blank canvas) and 15yrs later, these people are NOW my lovely kindest friends, who I socialise with a lot - lunches, day trips to the country, short dog walks etc etc. NOW, I also volunteer at my local hospice in their admin office (just do a few hours a week), which gets me out of the house. I get to meet NEW people all the time, who aren't interested in my past.

Sorry to go on and bore you with a weary tale of woe - but I just wanted you to know that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. I was on the brink of suicide at one stage, felt useless, lonely, humiliated, embarrassed, my line manager had ruined me and everything I had worked hard for was gone…. but now I can honestly say, ok life isn't 100%, my health is still a big fragile, I get the usual grief from the DWP (don't we all ???) and I have good days, bad days… but over time I am getting more good days than bad. I've even started dating a guy (it;s still early days!!!)

PLEASE don't give up… I'm sorry you have had such a tough time, its not easy I know, it's not much fun when it feels that the world is your enemy, friends disappoint you, officialdom (DWP etc) seem sterile and bureaucratic and don't care… and the stress of how you were treated and how unfair it is becomes all consuming - but I promise you that things will get better. Keeping busy is the key IMHO, it just takes time (one day at a time, then one week at a time etc etc). There is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. I honestly now look towards the future and even manage to cope with the onslaught of the damn DWP !!!

I truly hope that things improve for you, don't be afraid to ask for help - take your time - but I promise life will improve for you. Good luck.

miw1246_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1100621#Comment_1100621

Thanks so much for your reply it helps that iam not the only one whos been mistreated at work who like you was a loyal worker. Its always the good ones who get **** on, I had a spy too and thats the day I walked out as I had had enough and couldn't control myself any longer. I was there 9 years and it was only because I became a whilstblower I was massively singled out from that day. Of course if u speak up and say somethings wrong in a buinsess they want you out but because they couldn't dismiss me for gross misconduct as they would of done if I had come back off the sick the only way they could get me out was to ill health dismiss me. I no eventually ill heal and move onto something more healthy but for now I need to rebuild myself as like you said it has stripped me of all normality and routine and the injustice I feel is sickening 💔 BUT I will keep re reading your reply and pray I will heal in time like you have done. I hope you are OK and iam sending you healing hugs 🫂

miw1246_

I literally have no energy to go through all that..iam just trying to move on but its so difficult as you feel like justice was never served and everyone moves on and you dont 😫 i am getting help with the PTSD I have suffered from the job and hoping in time I heal

Rachel_Scope

It sounds awful what you've been through @miw1246_. I hope the support for your PTSD is helpful. It's shocking how workplaces can treat people. Take your time to heal and return to work when you feel ready 😊

Viscount

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1101887#Comment_1101887

I know that feeling only too well. Some days I couldn't even get out of bed, didn't want to eat and definitely had no energy to even consider an Employment Tribunals/lawyers etc. A close friend told me to fight back as it was obviously unfair and I had good grounds, but then tried to make me feel bad for not going through with it. For me it wasn't right. I needed to rebuild and move on, and heal myself… I used to believe in that the good people would always triumph, but bitter experience tells me otherwise. I got PTSD too from the way I treated, and I still get a bit uneasy if I see that Govt department mentioned on TV etc, and I get "brown envelope" syndrome… so dealing with the DWP doesn't help either…. but you WILL heal… I did, everyone has different time schedule, but every day is a new day, I take one day at a time and try and look forward - not to the past. I've let the injustice go, and waste my valuable energy and time thinking about my x-line manager, my job etc - it's in the past. I try and block it all out… and its the only way I can deal with it… everyone is different and have different ways of dealing with work related trauma.

I used to be so calm and patient, now I have a quick temper and lots of mental health issues - but I am working on everything slowly and take every day as it comes… keep in touch and keep talking. You don't have to be alone…. it really helps. Good luck x

miw1246_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1102376#Comment_1102376

I thought i had replied to this...yes iam trying to block things out but some days its very difficult like today I have struggled as I had a final pay check and the confirmation its all done now..it's like grief isn't it but I dont no how it can be so difficult when ived dealt with death so much within my family and dealt with that better 💔 maybe my identity and self worth has vanished and when you feel so depressed and anxious I cant even think about working when I can barely lift my head some days...but people keep saying u need a focus u need structure which really doesn't help me as I feel very pressured that I should be moved on and we'll now because its been over 6 months from this breakdown..honestly its so so difficult 💔