Returning to work after depression – help – Page 2 – Chat Forum

frazzledbrain · 2015-05-11T08:51:33Z

Hello all, I'm a semi-regular STW forum contributor, but am today posting under an anonymous username due to the personal nature of the post. I'm seeking the guidance of you nice folk on here. I work for a large FTSE100 company, and have done since graduating 17 years ago. I've had problems with depression since being a teenager, but only sought help in my early 20's (I'm 38 now). Aside from a few blips of ~2 weeks at a time, the medication and a wonderful wife have kept me on a relatively even keel. However, things have changed a lot in work over the last ~12 months, and I've found myself in a role and in a department (and with a new boss) that has played a big part in my mental health deteriorating to the point that I was taking steps to end my life. I've been off work since January (so just over 4 months now), and have changed medication from citalopram which I had been on for 15 years to mirtazapine, which sent me even lower. Now on sertraline which I thought had started to work wonders - I felt fresher, better and thought I was about ready to return to work. Since being off (and before too), I've made it clear to my line manager that I don't want to return to my old role or department. I've asked him repeatedly to help me find a new role, or go into the 'resource pool' where people whose roles are redundant can look for a fresh role within the company. He has so far said that neither of these options are possible, and that I'll need to return to the same department, with the same bosses, working on a slightly different project which really will be no different. Additionaly, I found out on Friday last week that I'd been given a 'Needs Improvement' rating for FY14/15, despite being rated as 'Achieves Standards' for Q1 and Q2, and only being told in mid December (3 weeks before going off) that they were unhappy with my performance, at which point I explained that I had been struggling to concentrate and make decisions due to the anxiety and depression. I'll be appealing this decision, but it feels like I'm being punished for being unwell, and it means that I'll be going back to a 'Coaching Plan' where I'll be under a lot of pressure to meet their idea of 'normal'. I thought I'd be ready to return to work in the next couple of weeks, but the realisation of what I'd be going back to has sent me into a bit of an anxiety spiral again. I don't know what to do. I've thought I should maybe write an email to the head of the business, the head of HR and the company's chief medical officer outlining the situation and asking for their help to get back to work in a new role. I don't feel my line manager (or his manager) are willing (or able - it's a very big company) to get me into a different role. At the same time, our company makes a very big deal of being an industry leader in looking after it's people's mental health. Has anyone here been in a similar situation? What did you do? Any other ideas, or words of wisdom? We have 2 young daughters, and my wife only works part time so just quitting will need to be the absolute last resort. Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for your comments.

aleigh

Posts: 0

Free Member

I know I'm a bit late to this one but just wanted to say I have been where you are.

My battle with depression was very public as was the battle with my senior management over their perception of me and my abilities, which resulted in an improvement required, losing a bonus and being put on a performance plan which if not achieved could have resulted in warnings of all sorts. My HR team were not supportive but my union were, unfortunately they had no influence on getting things overturned.

I had no energy to look for another job so chose to ride the wave.

3yrs on I have been promoted twice since that episode so just wanted to say, the light at the end of the tunnel will appear eventually. Hang in there.

Posted : 16/05/2015 8:45 pm

fishwife

Posts: 0

Free Member

the progress you;re making in thinking about a return to work is good

i am HR - so this advice is hopefully useful

equalies act / DDA - well in time if you continue to have absence then well yes it could be that you're depression is considered a disability becuase its having a regular impact on your ability to attend work - for now unless you;ve cited it before its potentially the first instance. You've managed things yourself to date and it sounds like its not impacted on your absence level.

If its work related then good - if you get my drift - you need to cite that elements of your role have triggered this episode - that way your return to work will be properly managed.

ultimately if your current role cant be changed, theres no alternative and continued absence cant be sustained then potentially yes you could still be dismissed - but HR are scared of this - so play the game

from your initial post you're self contained and this is good - i am similar but sometimes as people have highlighted (houns) its time to take stock and think - i dont want to do this anymore and its time to move on

beware - its often same shit different people, office, coffee machine.......

Posted : 16/05/2015 8:58 pm

thepurist

Posts: 10962

Full Member

2 other suggestions

- talk to your local Mind group. They have probably helped others in your position.

- the Richmond Fellowship is a charity that helps people with mental health issues to find and retain employment. They may also have some experience to help you.

Good luck with ut

Posted : 16/05/2015 9:12 pm

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