Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Sal the 1st — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:40:38 GMT

just thought I would share this

www.facebook.com/VetSupportCommunity

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

WTF_dinosaur — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:04:33 GMT

This describes perfectly how im feeling, recently started a new job and after being here a month i over heard a vet saying how shit i was etc etc. When i confronted her she said i didnt do anything wrong i just work in a different way to people already there (aka take my time with the inpatients) and shes not used to it and just lashed out against me when it wasn't me she was pissed at but its severly made me doubt myself and my abilities, im only recently qualified and this is my first qualified job and im completely at a loss at what to do. My dream job came up the other month at a practice ive wanted to work at since i was a little girl and i didnt apply cause i have no confidence in my abilities anymore, whenever i come to work i feel im always being judged by everyone i work with and if anything ever goes wrong in the practice i always appear to be blamed. However i am worried about leaving as it would look bad on my CV that ive only worked here for 6 months then i left...... dont really know why i posted this but it just felt really good to get it off my chest.

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Robocop — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:10:55 GMT

[quote user="Princess Ophelia Hermione MacBeth"]

You might find this organisation helpful: http://www.vetlife.org.uk/ I have had experience of dealing with this organisation and they were excellent and they provide support to VNs as well as vets. I would also track down Sal the 1st on this forum. One heck of a sound head on her shoulders, been around the block a lot and really good at thinking logically and rationally about how to handle things. She's a really good person to chat to and she doesn't mind PMs.

Keep strong - you will get over this xxx

[/quote]

I completely agree with the above statement and I would also contact the BVNA for advice. Good luck.

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

boofle — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:03:11 GMT

I know precisely how you are feeling. I ended up with severe depression thanks to my previous employer. They did nothing to help and in the end I left for another practice in the hope things would improve. They didn't, in fact, I ended up having a breakdown, being placed on antidepressants, and having CBT.

Go back to your GP, talk things through, take some time off and get better. Don't leave it as long as I did(over a year) before getting help. Then hopefully you will be able to go back to a job you once really loved doing. I'm now on a career break as I have no idea how long it will be before I can face going back to work as a rvn.

Good luck!

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Elisabeth Knappett — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:42:36 GMT

Wow - just wow. Loads of helpful advice given above, definitely follow through with it. I hope there is someone outside of work you can speak to as I found that very helpful, don't bottle it up. If you do get called into another meeting, please take in a friend/witness with you, anyone who can vouch for what was said without any spin on it (not saying that would happen, but if you do get upset, having someone not directly involved with the issue can give a clear picture after the fact). I don't know about the legal side of things at all, but I am most definitely sending you many many hugs and hoping things improve for you from here - by the sounds of it, you work hard and are a committed employee - would ask the question as to whether this practice deserves you?!

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Alana Dent — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:47:30 GMT

*leave not learn your job!

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Alana Dent — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:46:36 GMT

I have to agree with previous comments. There are rules and acts in place I help you, and also protect you. You say your experiences the feelings with regards to going to work. Are there particular aspects that bring these feelings on? Your practice should be supportive and finding ways to help you and assist you while your at work. If you have been in practice long term an have a good track record with concerns to standards, your employers should see this as out if character. This is a mine field for your employers. Constructive dismissal for one. Basically means if you feel you have to learn your job or various reasons they could be liable, but does have various channels and criteria you should check out. Also you cannot be out right dismissed unless you make a serious mistake. Verbal, sectoral written then formal meetings need to be carried out. Make sure you are honest at work and ask your team mates for assistance to lighten the load when you feel you need to. Keep a diary of all meetings and conversations you have with your seniors. You may need this later down the road. Keep your chin up. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of and a good support network in and out of work will help you get through this! Good luck!

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Susan Jackson — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:23:28 GMT

I would ring the BVNA and speak to someone that can help you with employment law.

I also agree that the head nurse is supposed to be your first line of defence and support. So that's a shame to hear how your meeting went.

Most important advice is do what you need to do to get well. Deal with the rest later. Lots of hugs of support

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

oconnoanan — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:30:19 GMT

Definately take a break, be nice to yourself for a few days, go visit friends and family, take some time out to look after yourself. Also a cert from your GP might make them cop on and realise that this is a recognised medical condition! Have been in this boat too, and its so difficult, anyone who hasn't experienced depression unfortunately has a limited understanding of how debilitating it is just to cope with day to day life -trying to hide it is worse and you were so sensible to be honest and upfront about it - what a shame your work colleagues are completely devoid of awareness and compassion. I hope things start to improve for you soon xx

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

ginny — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:03:12 GMT

If I were you I would go back to your GP, explain what has happened and how you are feeling and get yourself signed off.

Take a complete break of a week / fortnight - whatever your GP suggests and have a good think. Get some advice as stated above.

What a horrible situation to be in. I realise that you may feel that you don't want to do anything to make the situation worse for yourself but they cannot be allowed to treat you like this.

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Helen Tottey — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:53:44 GMT

Hi.

Definately get advice as this sounds appalling and illegal

Good Luck

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Louise B — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:48:44 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

There are rules indeed. Depression is recognized under the Mental Health act and Disabilities Act, and probably the Equality Act figures in there as well. Does your employer have anyone he uses for Human resources? (either internal or external.) I can just imagine a decent HR office having a wobbly, as any decent employment solicitor would probably have a field day with your practice.

[/quote]

Alas, I don't think depression counts under the act unless you have suffer it longterm - i.e. on record for a year or more. If you fit this criteria, I think you are right re: being protected under both acts.

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:48:42 GMT

Your employer may want to consider that the way he is treating you could be *very* expensive for him. Have another meeting, but have some of your friends with you. If your head nurse won't stand up for you, find someone who will. (no offense to your head nurse, but they're there to be your shield and support.) Maybe even someone external to the practice; so they can't be pushed around.

Make sure they take copious notes. Don't just let the bosses do another list of your 'failings' - as if depression is your fault (which trust me, it isn't!)

It certainly sounds like their practice isn't 'for you' - mainly because if that's the 'support' I get, what happens to people they don't like?

Re: Depression = Not Performing = Get Out?

Louise B — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:35:40 GMT

Utterly appalled at your employer's treatment of you. Huge hugs coming your way. What you did, in going to them, was a really brave act and they should be ashamed of their handling of the situation. I am sorry that your employer has treated you in this way - not all employers do. I have been on a break from work myself after depression brought on by a series of 'events' completely crippled me emotionally and my employers were brilliant throughout. Unfortunately, lots of people are either scared of mental health issues or just don't know how to handle people experiencing them. In my opinion, that is just not good enough given the fact that a) so many people will experience mental health issues (normally depression) at some point in their life, and b) as a profession, we are notorious for experiencing mental health issues and so need to be clued up and ready to support each other.

Keep strong - you will get over this xxx