robinsky
18-08-14, 14:00
Hi
I was off work for the best part of four months, due to issues with workplace stress and also a 'back' problem.
Recently, I returned to work and it was very difficult to adjust after all that time off (I was still very stressed). Some of the things I had to put up with back at work was:
1) Changes in working hours - I wasn't informed that working hours were changed and was only consulted through another colleague who had made a call to my Line Manager, who agreed to the changes, without having the courtesy of coming through me first.
2) I was sorting the afternoon mail when I was told the front of house had a package to collect - I said I couldn't as I was busy with the process. The same thing happened the next day, a customer complained and it got back to a senior colleague. I was then told to collect the item and return to the office. The front of house cannot take items in yet they were magazines which had already been distributed. They can take certain items in which are under the same risk as taking the magazines in e.g. health and safety/theft. However, there is absolutely no way these magazines would have endangered anyone's welfare, in either case. I can't see where I am being unreasonable by saying I could collect the magazines once I had finished the mail, despite policies in place and the fact I was on my own.
3) Two packages came into the office which were not labelled appropriately and I was informed they should have gone to another department - how is this my fault if the packages cannot be labelled appropriately? Also, I made all attempts to contact the relevant department to collect the item as soon as possible.
4) The same senior colleague complained about post which had come in and not been redirected in good time. The fact of the matter is, the post had only come in that day and to process it within 24 hours is a reasonable time scale. Also, any post sent to an individual should be addressed properly, regardless. Also, its not that common for someone to ring up and complain they haven't received a letter and furthermore, when I returned from work, I found redirection post all over the place, so if they felt it was *that* important, they would have taken steps to ensure the post would have been distributed immediately.
I have made some mistakes since being back at work, but this has all been down to stress and anxiety, having been off work for four months and through an internal investigation and had medical issues. Am I wrong to expect a bit of support and kindness, instead of being subject to, in my opinion, childish procedures?
Finally, in regards to sick, I have been signed off for six weeks with a 'back' problem and said I would return on 15 September. I did return originally for three weeks after my four month absence but then became ill again and it turns out my 'back' problem was quite a complex issue. I have asked if they can substitute three days (12-14 Sep) for annual leave since on the 12th, my SSP runs out. Seems a bit unreasonable to put me on half pay for the sake of three days, but if that's the case, that's the case.
I have inquired about an office move since my life is a living hell, working in childish circumstances but being back at work after medical issues (which are still ongoing) and an internal investigation has taken the gloss off working in this place now and I am struggling to see a way forward. Should I just bite the bullet and resign or lay down the law to them, but in a constructive way and see where that takes me, because I do believe I have received some fairly unreasonable treatment, particularly on my return.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Regards
Rob
I was off work for the best part of four months, due to issues with workplace stress and also a 'back' problem.
Recently, I returned to work and it was very difficult to adjust after all that time off (I was still very stressed). Some of the things I had to put up with back at work was:
1) Changes in working hours - I wasn't informed that working hours were changed and was only consulted through another colleague who had made a call to my Line Manager, who agreed to the changes, without having the courtesy of coming through me first.
2) I was sorting the afternoon mail when I was told the front of house had a package to collect - I said I couldn't as I was busy with the process. The same thing happened the next day, a customer complained and it got back to a senior colleague. I was then told to collect the item and return to the office. The front of house cannot take items in yet they were magazines which had already been distributed. They can take certain items in which are under the same risk as taking the magazines in e.g. health and safety/theft. However, there is absolutely no way these magazines would have endangered anyone's welfare, in either case. I can't see where I am being unreasonable by saying I could collect the magazines once I had finished the mail, despite policies in place and the fact I was on my own.
3) Two packages came into the office which were not labelled appropriately and I was informed they should have gone to another department - how is this my fault if the packages cannot be labelled appropriately? Also, I made all attempts to contact the relevant department to collect the item as soon as possible.
4) The same senior colleague complained about post which had come in and not been redirected in good time. The fact of the matter is, the post had only come in that day and to process it within 24 hours is a reasonable time scale. Also, any post sent to an individual should be addressed properly, regardless. Also, its not that common for someone to ring up and complain they haven't received a letter and furthermore, when I returned from work, I found redirection post all over the place, so if they felt it was *that* important, they would have taken steps to ensure the post would have been distributed immediately.
I have made some mistakes since being back at work, but this has all been down to stress and anxiety, having been off work for four months and through an internal investigation and had medical issues. Am I wrong to expect a bit of support and kindness, instead of being subject to, in my opinion, childish procedures?
Finally, in regards to sick, I have been signed off for six weeks with a 'back' problem and said I would return on 15 September. I did return originally for three weeks after my four month absence but then became ill again and it turns out my 'back' problem was quite a complex issue. I have asked if they can substitute three days (12-14 Sep) for annual leave since on the 12th, my SSP runs out. Seems a bit unreasonable to put me on half pay for the sake of three days, but if that's the case, that's the case.
I have inquired about an office move since my life is a living hell, working in childish circumstances but being back at work after medical issues (which are still ongoing) and an internal investigation has taken the gloss off working in this place now and I am struggling to see a way forward. Should I just bite the bullet and resign or lay down the law to them, but in a constructive way and see where that takes me, because I do believe I have received some fairly unreasonable treatment, particularly on my return.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Regards
Rob