[Purplechick]

So looks like I am on the way to being dismissed from my job as a teacher...............

Oh yes that is deffo the next step. A very sad way for it all to end IMO.......

Because I can't give a return date for when I will be well enough to return to work, once pay ends it is normal to dismiss - its called incapability and is quite usual in teaching apparently. Prob in other sectors too but I only know about teaching. I have been off since Feb with a nervous breakdown and severe depression and anxiety.

And I can't give a return date, I really can't......I really can't. Believe me all this trouble would disappear if I could just snap my fingers, pull myself together and be better and go back to work..................but it doesn't work like that........I have tried positive thinking, I have read every book I can, I attend every therapy session I have but I am still not better.......

put it this way, I have had 2 years of weekly psychology sessions - my gp has never known of such a thing - these days you never get that much in terms of resources. My therapist told me on friday that she has probably had it agreed by the powers that be that I can have another 6 months...........I am ill - they keep telling me - but they believe with support I could recover. I don't have support at home so they are giving it me cos they believe that will help me to then carry on getting better on my own after therapy ends....that's the plan but gives an idea of timescale........

and I understand that the school has to have staff in place etc but tbh my medical team all agree that the school's actions towards me acted as the tipping point for a vulnerable person, that they should have supported me more........but they didn't.

My medics are aghast that I will lose my job like this but I have checked it out and I will, that's what this mtg is all about, so "they" can say I have had it explained to me. I then sign a legal doc saying I wont ever bad mouth them or mount any grievance action against them ever in the future and in return I get 3 months pay in lieu of notice and as good a reference as the head can write for me........bargain, huh...............?

It is *****, a ***** way for a supposedly good teacher to go..................the time and energy and loyalty I have given that place.....it sucks.......but they win, I can't go on fighting much longer.

I will work as a teacher sometime but god knows when...I have a long journey to get back to where I was cos I have lost all my self belief and confidence. I can't even imagine teaching a class right now............will have to build up........at the age of 37.........in this financial climate........good god........I must be mad.........oh yeah, forgot I am...............

Sorry to rant on...........

[madisgram]

oh chick i'm so glad u posted. i am so sorry about how this has gone for you. teachers and nurses suffer such burn out. i guess you know your stuff re them being able to let you go. personally i think it stinks! but knowing how bad i can get with depression i can totally understand how badly you feel right now. glad you're keeping up with the therapy. please know that at some point the dark cloud will lift. i know right now that seems impossible but it will. in the meantime know we are always here for you.

[kebsfroggy]

Oh I've been there before. This frog of little brain is sorry to hear you are losing your teaching position.

In my case I was put on "family leave" for 6 months. I could return to the company (no guarantee I would have same position or pay) and they would provide employment.

After 6 months on "family leave" I was dismissed. Luckily for me in the US we have what we call "disability". I have no idea if you have something like that in the UK.

It was a long process to qualify and required a lawyer but everyone finally agreed I was in no shape for any kind of employment.

I so hope things work out for you.

[Rohag]

Purplechick, I am sorry depression is doing this to you. Your situation is roughly analogous to mine ten-eleven years ago. I don't like to think about that time; "unpleasant" is too feeble a word.

Originally Posted by Purplechick

...my medical team all agree that the school's actions towards me acted as the tipping point for a vulnerable person...

Yes, that sounds right. I'm not surprised.

You are accustomed to be loyal to the institution dropping you. Insofar as you can, drop the loyalty. It will look out after its own interests in this matter. You need someone who will look out for yours, and, being depressed, you most probably cannot do that for yourself.

I wish you a soft landing -- one that will set you up to take off again toward something better.

I'm sorry about your job. Sustaining employment has always been difficult for me as well.