The New Adventures of Mr Stephen Fry » Topic: Where you stand at work.

The New Adventures of Mr Stephen Fry » Topic: Where you stand at work. http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work Just another bbPress community en-US Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:38:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/search.php MrCartoonguy on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/5#post-268483 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:48:28 +0000 MrCartoonguy 268483@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Well, the nurse thing fell through....all I can do is qualify up. I have been found a liability in a nursing role. That's my nurse career down the drain. Soldier on AlanNotHim on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/5#post-266469 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 19:54:03 +0000 AlanNotHim 266469@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ I work for a great company that encourages people to seek help if they need it. Everything is covered. 24-hour help lines are a part of the benefits. But they are an engineering company. They expect madness from their employees. MrCartoonguy on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/5#post-264533 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 07:22:37 +0000 MrCartoonguy 264533@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ <img src="http://www.stephenfry.com/bb-content/plugins//bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":-)" class="bb_smilies" /> Thanks Katy. Ready is the operative word. Ready fot me is enigmatic like Kaisar Sosai. Takes forever. Gaz............XXXX katysara on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/5#post-264489 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:06:27 +0000 katysara 264489@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ you should qualify as a nurse... maybe do something different for a while like your art (you can already put illustrated a book on your cv) and when you are ready, go to work as a nurse. It's what you wanted and you'd be wonderfully empathic. ksx MrCartoonguy on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/5#post-264463 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:56:25 +0000 MrCartoonguy 264463@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Ok, student nurse, bipolar with CPN. Been off sick after depressive episode. Lithium treatment started after numerous episodes via rapid cycling which has interfered with training. CPN and Mental health Employment person request to share info with uni. Encouraging me to continue get diploma but NOT register as a nurse due to being possible liability. "Use qualification to do something else" they say. During time off, weeks of stability. Currently, rapidly cycling weekly. Common 2-3 days Depression and remainder euthymic - bordering hypomanic. PRN used for excessive elation. Stability seems impossible. All things appear in favour of me being a qualified house potato. Life is somewhat mixed up. A liability? Capable, incapable, Sad, Charged and elated, useless, great, in love, alone and loved but in neither time to appreciate either of them. What a mess. Wilde Woman on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/5#post-255159 Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:22:57 +0000 Wilde Woman 255159@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Ok so lists don't work for everyone. I hated doing them to begin with until I realised I could make nice lists of things I like doing and of when and where I've had good times and the nice things people have said about me (I didn't think anyone had until I started) and stuff like that. Even better is doing things to cheer yourself up, from planning something major to just little touches of pampering to say 'I'm worth it' regardless of everything... because the truth is... we are! And there's no arguing with the truth. Little Sparrow on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-254811 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:50:39 +0000 Little Sparrow 254811@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Hi all, I'm an Australian, psychiatric nurse, with bipolar disorder. My decision to be a nurse had nothing to do with my diagnosis, as I had sworn to myself that there couldn't be any type of nursing worse than working in mental health, early in my degree, and wished to work with children until I actually worked with mentally ill people and found a perfect fit. However, I left my last job due to stigmatisation from managers who I had unfortunately told about my illness with comments such as "we had decided to allow you to continue working here" after I disclosed my illness, despite my mental stability and damned fine work! I loved Stephen's documentry although it left my mother saying "he doesn't need to be on medication, maybe you don't either or you could try something herbal"; unfortunately I think some watchers could fall into false hope and misunderstanding related to the 'not needing' of medication which many sufferes, including myself, would by lost without. I'm glad however, that he was able to convey that it is a shit of an illness, with the 'highs'not necessarily being a barrel of laughs but temorarily turning you into a pompous, easily irritated git who makes poor choices on a whim and speaks/emails etc without thinking! Congratulations to Stephen for 'coming out' however and making such a documentry. realitystops on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-254647 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:58:23 +0000 realitystops 254647@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Talents :- 1/ ? 2/ ? 3/ ? Oh yes. Crap at lists, ticking off and rituals dieselbird on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-253705 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 21:51:22 +0000 dieselbird 253705@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Thanks again Wilde Woman - you have obviously experienced similar problems to me and its nice to have the support. I will indeed make a list everyday of my talents I'm sure I have some hidden away somewhere. And exactly what does the administrator of this site do? Thanks for your comment though. Big hugs x x Wilde Woman on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-253701 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 21:38:47 +0000 Wilde Woman 253701@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Frankly I reckon your confidence will return in buckets as soon as you get out of there, but it's tough believing in yourself and building your confidence up when you're in that situation. Perhaps seeing a counsellor to ensure you don't lose faith may help. It's what I've done and always do when I'm out of work or stressed when in work. And yeah, make a list everyday of all your talents to keep your spirits up. Good luck. katysara on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-253685 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:58:18 +0000 katysara 253685@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Hey there's nothing wrong with blowing your own trumpet! Best of luck with it all. KSx dieselbird on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-253677 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 15:12:44 +0000 dieselbird 253677@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I agree that my employer is not acting as they should. Unfortunately, I am the only female among 11 men and I have always felt a little discrminated against although have never voiced that until recently. I certainly do intend to get further, legal advice but I do indeed like my job and do not want to leave. My stress is born out of the way the department is run - a few of the men are taking total advantage of their situation (clocking each other on and off, taking much longer tea breaks of an hour each time and Lunch breaks of over 2hrs, but although my employer is aware of this they do not want to address it. The man hassling me is one such slacker, he is only employed by us through an agency and still he is allowed to get away with his behaviour because he works weekends and I was told that "you wouldn't get anyone else to do those hours". The irony is he isnt doing 'those' hours!!!! How can a loyal, hardworking, long service employee be thought so little of yet a man who is laughing at the way the place is run is worth more?? Beats me. Incidentally, I have trawled through loads of agency websites looking for a new job but sadly my confidence has been knocked so much that I fear that no-one is going to employ a 51 year old, (possibly) menopausal woman who may possibly not receive a favourable reference and who may be seen as a trouble maker. I know catagorically that my employer cannot fault me at the job I do - I am very good at it and do it efficently and affectively, I am polite and profressional in my approach at all times so I hope you can appreciate my frustration at being treated the way I am at the moment. A bit of blowing my own trumpet and self pity all thrown in there!!! Thank you again for replying, and I would still welcome any fruther comments from anyone who can help or advise. Hope you're all having a great weekend. xx <img src="http://www.stephenfry.com/bb-content/plugins//bb-smilies/default/icon_biggrin.gif" title=":D" class="bb_smilies" /> Wilde Woman on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-253665 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:23:31 +0000 Wilde Woman 253665@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ <blockquote><cite>dieselbird <a href="//www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-253651"">said</a>:</cite> Hi everyone. this ismy first time on this forum and I have found it very interesting reading and I now feel I would like some help and support and maybe somebody's knowledge to help me through a work related issue. I have worked for the same company for almost 10 years but just over two years ago I was subjected to some bullying from my colleagues which resulted in 5 weeks off work due to the stress it cuased and the inevitable depression that came with it. I returned to work after the problem was sorted out and have changed my attitude towards my colleagues and am now able to manage it much better. there are many many other problms within this workplace which causes a great deal of stress to many of my work colleagues which the company are unwilling to sort out. There is a male employee who over the past year has taken a shine to me. He is married but says he is unhappy and doesn't love his wife, he loves me. He has persistently persued me, constantly asking me out ( I am single) and relentlessly telling me how he feels about me - this all takes place while at work. After some hassle I received from his wife I informed my immediate boss and expressed my unhappiness about the man's behaviour - something i did not court, encourage or want. My boss told me he didnt want to discuss it and I ended up becoming very stressed and ultimately was signed off sick for four weeks. During my sick period I had a meeting with the company MD and I told him of this man's behaviour towards me plus I informed him of a lot of the other problems that were going on. The MD made me feel that I was being disciplined for taking the time off and expressed to me that my not being at work causes problems and disruption in the workplace, which I fully appreciate and understand. However, I have returned to work having written to the MD a letter expressing how sorry I am for taking the time off and that all i want to do now is put it behind me and carry on with my job. Three weeks after I returned to work I received a letter from my company asking me to give them permission to contact my GP for a medical report. Whilst I do not object to them having the medical report, what I do object to is that in the letter it states that they need to see the medical report "to obtain first hand advice on any problems they (my DR) may foresee in my role within the company", and "to give details of my illness and long term prognoses". I am completely taken aback by this and do not know what to do as I feel my company are now trying to push me out, or at least make it difficult for me to work there. I do have a history of depression since giving birth to my second son but am not, nor have been, on any medication for several years, I do not constantly take time of work because of the way I feel (two instances in 10 years!!!) and am at a loss as how to deal with it. The company are not prepared to address the other issues I mentioned to the MD and only suggestion they came up with regarding the man harrassing me at work was that they would 'change his shift pattern if neccessary, but hoped that it would not be the case', making me give in and letting him get away with it. Help!!!! Thank you for taking the time to read this long-winded accoung of my desperate situation. xx</blockquote> Your employer is not acting as they should so seek some advice from professionals. Start with the CAB. Most of all, weigh up whether it is the right environment for you to work in. Is it worth risking your health over? If you are passionate about your job, and love it, it may be worth pursuing it. Your call entirely, but get that advice to help you with that decision and make you GP aware of it all too. Wilde Woman on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-253663 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:13:04 +0000 Wilde Woman 253663@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ CHANGE IN UK LAW.... CHANGE IN UK LAW... As of 1st October 2010 it is now illegal to ask about how much time you've had off sick. Employers can not legally request that information from you or former employers (unless it's the same one you're already working for, but they'll have that on record anyway). It can not appear in application forms, must not be asked in interviews. If you come across it, just say that as of 1st October 2010 it's illegal to ask, do it pleasantly though, you don't want to ruin your chances. I expect it will be a while before employers adjust so be patient until they get the idea, for many it means changing a lot of forms. They are not allowed to ask you gender, sexual orientation, age or about your personal relationships either. It forces them to consider you on your merits for the job itself. It also means they will find it harder to pick the person they need as such information gives them a fully picture about your personality. Employers are allowed to indulge in 'positive action' if the role warrants it by stating things like "sighted person required as driver!" Or women required for refuge centre for female victims of domestic violence. Nothing to stop anyone at all applying for anything though, so if you're blind and want a job as a driver then apply. You will/should only ever be judged on your merits/capabilities for the job in question. In all cases sell your skills and experiences related to the position offered. As much as possible keep your personal feelings and experiences out of the entire process and out of the workplace unless it's effecting how you perform. Medication etc the emphasis is now on you to inform employers and for them to make reasonable adjustment. By law they are obliged to do so now. Sadly the interpretation of all that among employers will still vary enormously and some will behave decently and other's won't. Sadly if you find your are ever discriminated against the best thing to do is to weigh up if it's worth the added distress and pressure of fighting for your rights. It will take up your life to do so as it's always a long-winded process. I opted to just walk out to find a better employer when it happened to me, but that's what I felt was best. You might not. Good luck everyone. Use the info wisely. Crusaders are not usually a thing employers like, so I'd recommend chipping away and nudging employers to behave rather than getting into a fight with them. There are some wonderful employers out there, and there will be more if bit by bit we educate them! dieselbird on "Where you stand at work." http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/topic/where-you-stand-at-work/page/4#post-253651 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 11:14:40 +0000 dieselbird 253651@http://www.stephenfry.com/forum/ Hi everyone. this ismy first time on this forum and I have found it very interesting reading and I now feel I would like some help and support and maybe somebody's knowledge to help me through a work related issue. I have worked for the same company for almost 10 years but just over two years ago I was subjected to some bullying from my colleagues which resulted in 5 weeks off work due to the stress it cuased and the inevitable depression that came with it. I returned to work after the problem was sorted out and have changed my attitude towards my colleagues and am now able to manage it much better. there are many many other problms within this workplace which causes a great deal of stress to many of my work colleagues which the company are unwilling to sort out. There is a male employee who over the past year has taken a shine to me. He is married but says he is unhappy and doesn't love his wife, he loves me. He has persistently persued me, constantly asking me out ( I am single) and relentlessly telling me how he feels about me - this all takes place while at work. After some hassle I received from his wife I informed my immediate boss and expressed my unhappiness about the man's behaviour - something i did not court, encourage or want. My boss told me he didnt want to discuss it and I ended up becoming very stressed and ultimately was signed off sick for four weeks. During my sick period I had a meeting with the company MD and I told him of this man's behaviour towards me plus I informed him of a lot of the other problems that were going on. The MD made me feel that I was being disciplined for taking the time off and expressed to me that my not being at work causes problems and disruption in the workplace, which I fully appreciate and understand. However, I have returned to work having written to the MD a letter expressing how sorry I am for taking the time off and that all i want to do now is put it behind me and carry on with my job. Three weeks after I returned to work I received a letter from my company asking me to give them permission to contact my GP for a medical report. Whilst I do not object to them having the medical report, what I do object to is that in the letter it states that they need to see the medical report "to obtain first hand advice on any problems they (my DR) may foresee in my role within the company", and "to give details of my illness and long term prognoses". I am completely taken aback by this and do not know what to do as I feel my company are now trying to push me out, or at least make it difficult for me to work there. I do have a history of depression since giving birth to my second son but am not, nor have been, on any medication for several years, I do not constantly take time of work because of the way I feel (two instances in 10 years!!!) and am at a loss as how to deal with it. The company are not prepared to address the other issues I mentioned to the MD and only suggestion they came up with regarding the man harrassing me at work was that they would 'change his shift pattern if neccessary, but hoped that it would not be the case', making me give in and letting him get away with it. Help!!!! Thank you for taking the time to read this long-winded accoung of my desperate situation. xx