In light of the additional information, I vote for quitting.
There is the transportation time, but also, it I'm understanding correctly, you would basically be pretty substantially penalized for staying there.
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Originally Posted by Resident Bipolar
...I am on sickness for at least another year, or another three months if I chose to stay in the job I'm in…
Nope, there would be no burden on the household if I quit. I don't have any dependants, and my sickness and disability is more than enough for me to live on.
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AND it would be no burden on the household? And this would continue to be the case for at least another year if you quit? But could be jeopardized in 3 months if you put it up to the gamble of finding another job?
Financial-assurance-wise, the choice seems obvious. I mean, it'd be one thing if you were
only doing it for that reason. But you're not looking to take undue advantage of it --You really are struggling. So it's a completely legitimate consideration.
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Originally Posted by Resident Bipolar
And I tell you, working in a job where you're serving customers constantly and therefore having to smile and are expected to talk all the time during a depressive episode, drains me even more...
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I so hear you on that!
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Originally Posted by Resident Bipolar
Yes! This brings me on to my next annoyance. When you're on "Employment and Support Allowance" you're either put into the Work-Related Activity group, in which you have to attend the occasional work-focused appointment and sometimes have access to a scheme that aims to get you back into work, and provides work placements for those with severe disabilites (they have links with employers to do so) or the Support group, which you're put into if you're completely unable to work (judged by them from medical evidence).
Anyway. I went into the benefits centre and asked to be put into this Work Choice scheme. This would give me a better chance of finding a job that doesn't trigger me, and id have a lot more help throughout the process. I'd rang up about six times until I managed to get an appointment at the benefits centre, and my appointment had been repeatedly cancelled. When I finally had my appointment, I was told "oh you don't need to do this because you're in the support group". However, I insisted. So he finally said he'll try to get it sorted and he'll be in contact. I never heard anything back, even though I called multiple times for an update.
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Understanding systems can be hard, even when they're the ones in your own country -- and I
don't think these larger things come into play in your immediate situation -- but just for my own clarification…
The Employment and Support Allowance. Is this what you have traditionally been on? Is it something that comes up for periodic review? If so, is there any reason you think your status within it might be jeopardized?
I get why you'd seek the help of the Work Related Activity Group if you didn't qualify for the support group. But you're already qualified for the support group. Is there something that impels you to seek the other? Just curious, as there doesn't seem to be any kind of obligation involved.
What are these exams of which you speak?
Regarding your partner… I wonder if maybe there's not a bit of projection at play there. Maybe he is having some feelings of guilt on his own account. Not to play Dr. Cyber-Psych, but it's a possibility. It might make you feel better to at least consider that his comment may
not actually be a reflection on you.