In trouble at work? Because of a panic attack

[dread]

I work in a place that provides 24 hour support for people with learning dis and mental health problems (ironic, so I've been told). Some shifts involve an 8 hour shift, a 'sleep' and then anouther 8 hours in the am. Last week during the sleep I had a panic attack and had to call a friend to calm me down. I had to use the work phone for 2 hours as my mobile had broken. I emailed my manager about it to tell them a few days ago, but I have a supervision due today. Theyve changed my regular suypervision and theres now 2 managers attending, at the main office...which usually calls for a disciplinary (they only have 2 managers present for disciplinaries...).

How much trouble do you think I can get in for this =[ I dont want to be told I cant do my job any more because of a panic attack... my anxiety has never caused problems at work before this, and theres no staff support! I am going mad with worry and have less than an hour before I have to be there >.<

[blueangel]

Hi there

I'll try and help you out with this if I can - I'm a trade union rep where I work.

First of all, your employer can't just summon you to a disciplinary hearing without giving you prior notice of it. If they just want to talk to you about it, then that's fine, but what they ought to be doing is giving you the opportunity to take someone with you for support, whether it's a union rep (if you have any where you work) or another work colleague that you trust.

You should be given the chance to explain what has happened, and give them medical evidence of your anxiety/panic attacks, as obviously that's the reason why you had to spend so long on the phone. It is helpful to apologise for it, as it will put them on the back foot, but you need to explain to them what's going on.

They should be supporting you over this, not kicking you up the backside!!

[ditzygirl]

Might also be usefull to visit you GP and tell him/her what is going on. The additional stress is detrimental to your anxiety. A good GP wil support you. I had a horrid situation with an employer and my GP wrote to them explaining my illness and was very supportive.
Good luck sweetie, we are here for you anytimexx

[Thunderbird 4]

Hi there,
Firstly its always alarming when being called in front of the management. You have many rights, including the reason to ask for the basis of the meeting and if you can have someone accompany you for moral support. It will not be a disciplnary as it does not sound as if they have followed the correct proceedures. The only way it can be is based on 'Serious Misconduct' and from what you explain, your actions and problems with your anxiety are far from meeting this criteria. As previously mentioned, to put them on the back foot be clear and honest and apologise for being on the phone for so long. If the management are not aware at all of your anxiety then they will of course assume you were just on the phone to a friend, so if you explain then it may all blow over. On most occassions management now take a companion in into even the most basic HR meetings with staff just to cover their own back as a record of events.
You need to explain to them about your anxiety as they have a care of duty to not only your physical well-being, but your mental well being also and if you are honest with them then they are obliged to put steps in place to help you in the workplace. Plus don't forget if things get out of hand and your condition is discriminated against then the DDA act may also kick in to protect you? As long as you can still do the job then they can't even go down the capability route.
A good employer will want to keep hold of you and should support your needs, however it may be advisable to speak with your GP if the employer puts the pressure on you and get their support.
I speak from expereince of being both an anxiety sufferer, and a senior manager who looks after a number of staff (including some who also suffer from anxiety). Good luck.
Regards.
TB4

[Geoff2301]

Hi there,
Firstly its always alarming when being called in front of the management. You have many rights, including the reason to ask for the basis of the meeting and if you can have someone accompany you for moral support. It will not be a disciplnary as it does not sound as if they have followed the correct proceedures. The only way it can be is based on 'Serious Misconduct' and from what you explain, your actions and problems with your anxiety are far from meeting this criteria. As previously mentioned, to put them on the back foot be clear and honest and apologise for being on the phone for so long. If the management are not aware at all of your anxiety then they will of course assume you were just on the phone to a friend, so if you explain then it may all blow over. On most occassions management now take a companion in into even the most basic HR meetings with staff just to cover their own back as a record of events.
You need to explain to them about your anxiety as they have a care of duty to not only your physical well-being, but your mental well being also and if you are honest with them then they are obliged to put steps in place to help you in the workplace. Plus don't forget if things get out of hand and your condition is discriminated against then the DDA act may also kick in to protect you? As long as you can still do the job then they can't even go down the capability route.
A good employer will want to keep hold of you and should support your needs, however it may be advisable to speak with your GP if the employer puts the pressure on you and get their support.
I speak from expereince of being both an anxiety sufferer, and a senior manager who looks after a number of staff (including some who also suffer from anxiety). Good luck.
Regards.
TB4
Nice to see a fellow motorcyclist on here!!.... imagined I was the only one.

No, I suppose you have to put yourself in their position....... they were probably more concerned that the phone was tied up for 2 hours so no one could get through if needed.... if only your mobile had been ok..... unfortunately, it might cause problems if they feel things could go wrong when you're the person people are absolutely relying on. Hope they'll assume its a one-off and all goes well.

Geoff

[Nigel]

Hi Dread,

Hope it went well.

Maybe they wanted both managers to be present as this was a slightly unusual or complicated issue – not for anything bad. A completely different scenario, but in my old job Workmate and I both went on some jobs together when one of us could’ve managed on our own. It was simply because two heads are better than one. A second opinion or different perspective. Plus it was sometimes easier for one of us (usually him) to do the talking while the other was doing the thinking and doing.

Nigel

[mr badger]

Nice to see a fellow motorcyclist on here!!.... imagined I was the only one.


And another. R1200GS. 10k per year.

Dread - supervision is not a suitable place for a disciplinary matter to be raised. Supervision in the care sector is my 'specialist subject'. PM me if you need a bit more info/support.