Leaving work due to health. How much notice must I give? Will it be classed as early retirement?

sashamarsh

Hello, I am a 27 year old primary school teacher. I have suffered with my lung health for the last couple of years. I think teaching is adding to the stress upon my lungs and am thinking I need to leave the profession. I realise I would have to give a whole terms notice according to my contract. Would this be the same case if I feel I need to leave due to health reasons? Would this be classed as early retirement even if I'm not anywhere near retirement age?
Thanks

poppy123456

You should never just leave work without getting some expert advice from some where like ACAS. If you're entitled to SSP then your employer should also pay this for 28 weeks but you'll need a fit note. https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/eligibility

https://www.acas.org.uk/

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community @sashamarsh I'm sorry to hear that your job is worsening your health, as I can imagine that'd put you in a difficult situation.

Have you spoken to your employer about how your health has been affected, to see if there are any adjustments they could put in place to make things more manageable for you? I know it's not always easy to discuss this. 

As poppy123456 has said, it'd also probably be worth getting in touch with an organisation like ACAS for expert advice on this.

If you decide that you'd like to seek alternative employment, you might like to look into accessing one of our employment services.

Have you spoken to your doctor about your lung health, and how it's been affecting you?

janer1967

Hi and welcome 

It all depends on your employer if they will accept a reduced notice period have a look if they have a policy on medical dismissal.  Tho this normally applicable to long term absence with no indication of a return in near future 

Due to this it may be advisable to go off sick and get paid sick pay 

I would also advise getting referred to oh for a work place assessment they can then make recommendations about adjustments or future employment 

It wouldn't be classed as early retirement that is very hard to get especially at such a young age you would have to evidence you are not fit to work in any capacity for the rest of your working age 

If you are in a union seek advice from them 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @sashamarsh

I'm just commenting to check in and see how you are?