Returning to work after long layoff
Options
ryan123
Community member Posts: 20 Connected
I've been unemployed for 10 years. I worked throughout the early years of my mental health problems and 'got through it' by drinking quite a lot. I've since learned to live with my illness as much as i can, i've gone back to college, done a degree in psychology, and hope to do a Master's degree. But eventually this all has to lead somewhere: work!
Returning to work petrifies me. I might have severe anxiety and agoraphobia - not as serious as it once was - but i don't see myself as 'weak' or anything like that. In fact, i'd get really quite annoyed if i was being looked down upon (one reason i still keep my issues, or at least how serious they are, secret from most people). I don't like the idea of being mocked, or even 'helped' so to speak. I see it as a case of me being able to do A, B, and C but needing X, Y and Z in place for me to be able to do so.
With mental health issues, i find it really difficult to really get across exactly *how* things affect you. For example, where i was agoraphobic to the extent that i literally never left my flat for 8 months - my mum had to come stay with me, i had a friend come over to take bins out etc - people assume i'd prefer to be 'enclosed'. So when i say, 'actually i'm quite claustrophobic!', it's like we're back at stage one again lol. Not that i get annoyed with people not understanding, because i myself admit this is a nightmare.
I know we have the Equality Act etc to protect people in our situations, but i often wonder how such things really work in practice. I can tell you, in some of my old jobs, none of it would have meant a thing.
So, i was just wondering how people here who have returned to work were able to achieve such a thing and if you've had a positive/negative overall experience? I'm thinking maybe i should do volunteer work for a while before even daring to think about paid work.
Returning to work petrifies me. I might have severe anxiety and agoraphobia - not as serious as it once was - but i don't see myself as 'weak' or anything like that. In fact, i'd get really quite annoyed if i was being looked down upon (one reason i still keep my issues, or at least how serious they are, secret from most people). I don't like the idea of being mocked, or even 'helped' so to speak. I see it as a case of me being able to do A, B, and C but needing X, Y and Z in place for me to be able to do so.
With mental health issues, i find it really difficult to really get across exactly *how* things affect you. For example, where i was agoraphobic to the extent that i literally never left my flat for 8 months - my mum had to come stay with me, i had a friend come over to take bins out etc - people assume i'd prefer to be 'enclosed'. So when i say, 'actually i'm quite claustrophobic!', it's like we're back at stage one again lol. Not that i get annoyed with people not understanding, because i myself admit this is a nightmare.
I know we have the Equality Act etc to protect people in our situations, but i often wonder how such things really work in practice. I can tell you, in some of my old jobs, none of it would have meant a thing.
So, i was just wondering how people here who have returned to work were able to achieve such a thing and if you've had a positive/negative overall experience? I'm thinking maybe i should do volunteer work for a while before even daring to think about paid work.
Comments
-
Oh, also, somebody at Scope on phone told me about being aware that sometimes if you work the allowed 16 hours per week (or whatever maximum wage is) whilst on ESA, it can be deducted from your actual ESA. I told him that such a ridiculous rule would hardly encourage people to get back to work! Has anybody had that happen to them?
-
Hi @ryan123 and welcome to our online community. I'm chuffed you found us and I really hope we can help
Firstly, congrats on your achievements! Doing a degree in psychology is no easy feat and I hope through your learning you can better understand the mechanics behind your own mental health problems. The lived experience you've gathered will be an invaluable way of helping others in the future, and although your career path might be a bit fuzzy at the moment, it will fall into place I'm sure.
A lot of what you said resonated with me - the knowing you can do a job, but needing employer understanding and reasonable adjustments to do it. Plus, finding the thought of returning into the workplace after study entirely daunting. I've just finished a Masters and felt those exact same things. But, I can promise you positive outcomes do happen, and a lot of those fears when confronted will slowly diminish. Employers have a responsibility to implement reasonable adjustments, and should you need it, Scope have a webpage dedicated to what that entails and how to challenge unsupportive management if you come across it.
I think graded exposure to work-like situations, as you say, will definitely help. You mentioned volunteering and that would be a smashing way to make those initial steps - doing hours to suit you, testing the water and trying out coping strategies should you feel overwhelmed. One thing that helps me when my thoughts take over, is to look for the evidence. What can I actually observe and hear versus what my inner voice is telling me. I'm sure you are much more knowledgeable than me regards this, but when doubt creeps in, remember what you have achieved.
If you need any support in looking for volunteering opportunities, please let me know I hope you are keeping well today and talk soon!Online Community Co-ordinator
Want to tell us about your experience on the online community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know.Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us. -
Hi and welcome
Scope have a dedicated support for work section you may find helpful
I'm not sure about the financial questions you have but I will tag in our expert @poppy123456 can you advise here
Voluntary work is a good option but depends if it fits with the sort of work you want to do -
Hi, thanks for the replies.
Well, i want to do a Master's in psychology and volunteer in the same field. I received a 2:1 in my degree, so i could in theory get into clinical psychology (i believe you need at least a 2:2 or 2:1) or something else similar.
Through a combination of returning to work anxiety, not really knowing where to turn, and Covid, i still haven't done either. I was thinking maybe i could volunteer at my local doctor's surgery or mental health clinic or at a call centre (e.g. Childline). -
Hi again
You could also consider the samaritans or there are people who are phone buddies for those people who are alone sorry dont know what the organisation is called
It might be worth checking out with the job centre who may have some ideas -
ryan123 said:Oh, also, somebody at Scope on phone told me about being aware that sometimes if you work the allowed 16 hours per week (or whatever maximum wage is) whilst on ESA, it can be deducted from your actual ESA. I told him that such a ridiculous rule would hardly encourage people to get back to work! Has anybody had that happen to them?HI,Are you sure this is what you were advised? It's not correct. While claiming ESA you can do what's called permitted work BUT you can only work less than 16 hours per week and earn no more than £140 per week after deductions. If you work 16 hours or more then your ESA will end, likwwise if you work less than 16 hours and earn more than £140 per week, your ESA will end.Working within the permitted work rules will not see anything deducted from your ESA entitlement. See link for confirmation.You must tell DWP that you are working and you must fill out the PW1 and return it to them.What you must be aware of thought is, if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming ESA then you could be reassessed early and the decision could could against you when it's made. What you need to do is look at the reasons why you were placed into the WRAG and the work you intend to do and go from there.Hope this helps to clear things for you.Also thanks @janer1967 for the tag.
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
ryan123 said:Oh, also, somebody at Scope on phone told me about being aware that sometimes if you work the allowed 16 hours per week (or whatever maximum wage is) whilst on ESA, it can be deducted from your actual ESA. I told him that such a ridiculous rule would hardly encourage people to get back to work! Has anybody had that happen to them?
Ooh that's a bit odd, can you remember who you spoke to at Scope? I hope @poppy123456 has clarified this for you now.
Online Community Co-ordinator
Want to tell us about your experience on the online community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know.Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us. -
Cher_Scope said:ryan123 said:Oh, also, somebody at Scope on phone told me about being aware that sometimes if you work the allowed 16 hours per week (or whatever maximum wage is) whilst on ESA, it can be deducted from your actual ESA. I told him that such a ridiculous rule would hardly encourage people to get back to work! Has anybody had that happen to them?
Ooh that's a bit odd, can you remember who you spoke to at Scope? I hope @poppy123456 has clarified this for you now. -
Maybe the person you spoken advised you to be aware that doing permitted work may affect your ESA (which it can) if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming ESA.
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
poppy123456 said:Maybe the person you spoken advised you to be aware that doing permitted work may affect your ESA (which it can) if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming ESA.
Brightness
Categories
- All Categories
- 13K Start here and say hello!
- 6.6K Coffee lounge
- 104 Games lounge
- 416 Cost of living
- 4.3K Disability rights and campaigning
- 1.9K Research and opportunities
- 199 Community updates
- 9.3K Talk about your situation
- 2.1K Children, parents, and families
- 1.6K Work and employment
- 777 Education
- 1.7K Housing and independent living
- 1.4K Aids, adaptations, and equipment
- 615 Dating, sex, and relationships
- 363 Exercise and accessible facilities
- 738 Transport and travel
- 31.6K Talk about money
- 4.4K Benefits and financial support
- 5.2K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 17.1K PIP, DLA, and AA
- 4.9K Universal Credit (UC)
- 6.3K Talk about your impairment
- 1.8K Cerebral palsy
- 868 Chronic pain and pain management
- 180 Physical and neurological impairments
- 1.1K Autism and neurodiversity
- 1.2K Mental health and wellbeing
- 319 Sensory impairments
- 825 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions