Depression holding me back
Question
I have been off work with depression for several months and I'm due to return soon. I hate the job but I'm worried I'll find it difficult to find something else because of my poor attendance record.
Should I go back to my current job and stick it out for a few months to show prospective employers that I gave it another go? If I do start looking for another job, should I mention my time off and the reasons behind it?
Answer
It's understandable you are worried about returning to work after you've been off for several months. Depression is a valid reason to be off work and whether you go back or not is up to you. You might find it useful to speak to your doctor (GP) who can advise you on whether you are ready.
If you hate your job and this is what has caused the onset of your depression, it might be advisable to explore other career options. Think about what you might enjoy and feel comfortable doing in the future. You might want to speak to a career advisor at Learndirect on 0800 100 900 to explore other career options.
If you do decide to go for another job, the employer may ask about your attendance record. If you are asked specifically at interview why you've had time off, or how your mental health has been, you are legally obliged to tell them. If you lie, you can be dismissed at a later date on the grounds that you deliberately withheld information from the employer.
If you are not asked specifically about your mental health at your interview or on an application form, you do not have to tell them about it. Many people suffer from depression and have time off work, so employers should be sympathetic to this.
It can sometimes be hard to talk to people about our emotions, but talking about how you feel in general and how you feel about your job might be beneficial for you.
If you don't feel that you can talk things over with someone from your family or a trusted friend, another option would be to see a counsellor. They would be able to help you explore your feelings about what you might like to do in the future and perhaps work out some other ways of coping with your depression.
Ultimately, the decision as to whether you return to your current role, or seek alternative employment is up to you. There are many options open to you, for instance you could return to work while looking for another job, work part time or take some time out to think about what you really want.
While it could be really helpful to get the advice of professionals about this, the final decision is yours. If you go back to your job, it may show future employers that you show commitment, but it's important to remember that your health is the most important issue, so make sure you are doing the right thing for you.
There are lots of organisations that can help you, for example, Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people affected by depression. To find out about local support groups in your area, call 0845 123 2320. Another organisation you may want to speak to is Mind, which has an extensive factsheet about understanding depression. Or you can contact its helpline on 0845 766 0163.
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Question answered by bss
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