Leaving Work Due to Medication

Lchiv1 on 07/02/2019 - 19:31

Hi there,

I was looking for some advice about methods of resigning from my workplace.

I have an old injury which has been slowly going downhill again which has required me to end up on some fairly potent painkillers so I can manage to get some sleep at night time.

My problem is my work won’t allow me to carry out my primary work duties (aviation) while on medication. So instead they have reassigned me to extremely boring and tedious office work.

I would like to leave work and focus on rehabilitation and then find another job. But if I resign I believe I won’t have any income support benefits available to myself.

So my question is.. Is there another method of resigning? Such as requesting to be laid off due to being unable to fulfill my original work duties?

Any input very much appreciated,

Cheers!

Chiv

Education & Work

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 07/02/2019 - 19:52
    +9

    So your question is

    How can I not work and still get paid?

    • Diji1 on 07/02/2019 - 20:17
      +6

      It sounds like he has a serious chronic pain issue.

      Unfortunately chronic pain sufferers are outcasts in Australia's society of temporarily embarrassed millionaires that are too busy to enjoy anything. Almost no one believes that their problem is genuine other than pain specialists and some, certainly not all, GPs that refer them.

      • pais on 07/02/2019 - 21:06
        +8

        I don't think he is being treated as an outcast; he's been put on light duties to accomodate an ongoing condition (as is the employers legal & moral oblgation).

      • [Deactivated] on 07/02/2019 - 21:15
        +8

        How you managed to create a new issue is beyond me.

        I didn't even second guess the chronic pain so spare us the spiel of the poor crippled peasant.

        OP is going to work in a reduced capacity which the company has so graciously accommodated (very far from big bad boss). OP finds it boring.

      • HighAndDry on 08/02/2019 - 09:35

        No, tshow is right. OP can just resign normally and no one would bat an eye, but:

        But if I resign I believe I won’t have any income support benefits available to myself.

        They want to eat their cake and have it too.

    • Cyphar on 07/02/2019 - 20:48

      No, I think the question is how can OP leave without quitting because quitting your job subjects you to a 12 week waiting period for welfare. Getting fired or let go, on the other hand, waives the waiting period.

      • [Deactivated] on 07/02/2019 - 21:17
        +3

        And nothing has changed. It is fundamentally about money that he/she wouldn't have got. OP isn't getting fired or let go. Trying to make it look otherwise is dishonest.

      • serpserpserp on 07/02/2019 - 23:58

        If you have little to no money you can have that period reduced.

        If you are made redundant you still would need to qualify from a financial test point of view for welfare.

  • Japius on 07/02/2019 - 19:53

    Is temporary leave possible? Most super funds have coverage for temporary disability, you usually get paid ~80% of your salary via your super fund while on the leave, maybe have a chat to your doctor about it (as they need to sign the paperwork recommending the leave) can vary in length some funds it’s up to 3 years

    • [Deactivated] on 07/02/2019 - 19:55
      +3

      His disability isn't prohibiting him from work.

      reassigned me to extremely boring and tedious office work.

      A doctor shouldn't be signing that recommendation.

    • pais on 07/02/2019 - 21:10
      +2

      Being (completely) unfit for work is fairly difficult, as most work places have the ability (to at least some degree) to modify duties in accordance with restrictions imposed by doctors. The bigger an organisation is, the more likely it is that someone would literally need to be bed ridden to be unable to perform modified duties for at least part of their normal hours.

      His issue at the moment isn't that he's unfit; it's that he doesn't enjoy his modified duties.

  • oscargamer on 07/02/2019 - 19:59
    +2

    Is your old injury related to your work?

  • Halo375 on 07/02/2019 - 20:03
    +3

    Ask for extended unpaid leave - 6 or 12 months in order to focus on getting yourself better. You won’t get paid but you’ll leave knowing you still have a job to return to.

    • HighAndDry on 08/02/2019 - 09:37

      OP doesn't need the leave, he just finds his current position:

      boring and tedious

      Hint: that's not a medical reason.

  • swapsey on 07/02/2019 - 20:10
    -1

    Come late a few days a week with some lame excuses - flat tire, sick kid at home (even if u don't have kids), mauled by neighbors dog in the driveway, food poisoning…. guaranteed u won't have an issue within 2 weeks.

    Or maybe u will have new issues, not too sure.

  • Nutrino on 07/02/2019 - 20:14
    +2

    [owen.wilson] Wow…

  • AdosHouse on 07/02/2019 - 20:24
    +2

    Use sick leave, LSL, and then unpaid leave.

  • bobbified on 07/02/2019 - 20:45

    What is the definition of Temporary Disablement in your income protection policy? Is it unable to work "own occupation" or "any occupation"?

    You may have a case if it's "own occupation".

  • thatonethere on 07/02/2019 - 20:53
    +2

    I'd talk to your union if you are a member

    • [Deactivated] on 07/02/2019 - 22:36
      +6

      Dear union,

      I have an injury and I take pain medication.

      My boss made me work. Fair enough it is light work and I'm not in pain… and I also shouldn't be flying high… they are still paying me but that's besides the point. I'm bored.

      I should be at home and still get paid because I know my rights.

      Slightly tired from writing letter,
      Typical union member

  • elgrande on 07/02/2019 - 21:22
    +2

    Sorry to hear of your pain, I hope things improve for you.

  • bargainhunter87 on 07/02/2019 - 22:32

    Sorry to hear mate - if you can't work you may be eligible for TPD. Depends on whether you have cover. May be worth looking into.

    Cheers

  • robbyjones on 07/02/2019 - 22:40
    +2

    I am sorry that you are in pain but you are asking for a way to get benefits because you want to leave your boring job, a bit much if you ask me. Work for a bit longer at your boring job until you have saved enough to cover you until you can legitimately claim benefits.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/02/2019 - 23:20
    +2

    required me to end up on some fairly potent painkillers so I can manage to get some sleep at night time.

    Be careful with painkillers . They can be extremely addictive. Terrible withdrawal symtoms. Some people even end up having to go on methadone, to get off pain killers.

    I wonder if sleeping tablets of some kind, might be a better solution than opiate based medication (which I assume you have been taking).
    What kind are you taking ? If you don't mind me asking.
    I have been on a few different types due to back injury. I try my best not to be taking them for more than couple of days in row (then 2-3 days break) because when I took them for a couple of weeks straight, it horrible to come off them.

    Did the anything the pain specialist advised help ? My pain specialist advised and refered me to physio and also psychologist that specializes in pain management techniques.

  • serpserpserp on 08/02/2019 - 00:02
    +1

    OP: One option not mentioned is perhaps requesting to go part time so you have time to work on rehab but still have some money coming through the door.

    • HighAndDry on 08/02/2019 - 12:33

      It hasn't been mentioned because OP hasn't mentioned not being able to rehab. The only issue is that OP is bored at work.

      • serpserpserp on 08/02/2019 - 16:23
        +1

        I would like to leave work and focus on rehabilitation and then find another job.

        I get where you are coming from, but lets try and be nice to this guy, the pain must be bad and the financial insecurity might be overwhelming.

        • HighAndDry on 08/02/2019 - 16:26
          +1

          Oh oops, missed that part.

          I sympathise with OP, but his current position is one that employees have fought for and most employees in his situation would be appreciative to have: A good employer who is able to accommodate them and find a suitable position that meets the medical requirements of the employee.

          And OP is basically saying - "but I'm bored and want to be paid for not working."

          I get that everyone wants financial security, and chronic pain is obviously pretty terrible to deal with, but it doesn't justify OP wanting to, bluntly, rort the system. Those welfare entitlements and benefits and safety net is for those even less fortunate than OP, whose medical conditions are so severe they can't work at all, or whose employers aren't able to accommodate them and keep them on the payroll.

          • serpserpserp on 08/02/2019 - 16:31
            +2

            @HighAndDry: I don't think OP really knows what he is entitled to (we are both reading into his comments a bit) I think he is hoping that there is some magic payout he might be entitled to that he doesn't know about, but I don't think he is actively trying to do a dodgy.

            But to be honest, I don't think he is entitled to squat and his best bet is to try and work something out with his current employer that works for everyone. Might be a bridge too far for the employer though. Probably depends on what their legal thinks of the ramifications! ;)

            • HighAndDry on 08/02/2019 - 17:07

              @serpserpserp: Yeah. Given the employer seems fairly decent - I think they may well try and work with OP so that he can get his welfare payments and not have to work. It might work out better for the employer too, because they wouldn't have to pay him to do what may well be slightly make-work, or work that doesn't need OP's level of qualifications or seniority.

  • voiletmay on 08/02/2019 - 06:46
    +1

    I knew someone this happened to (got shingles on his face which left permanent neurological damage and pain) and had to retire early from being a pilot. Couldn't work again ever. Really awful.

    Maybe you can negotiate with your employer about another work activity you could do to break up the boredom.

  • firedragon on 08/02/2019 - 07:25
    +4

    Sorry to hear you're in this situation OP. But my advice would be to not leave this job until you've secured another one. It's much harder and more stressful to find a job when you don't have a job, compared to job searching while having a job.

    All the best.

  • ode1online on 08/02/2019 - 08:39

    HI Welcome to the forum

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 08/02/2019 - 09:01
    +1

    An exciting job whilst on strong medication sounds like a bad combination dontcha think?

  • try2bhelpful on 08/02/2019 - 12:48
    +3

    I would talk to your employer about options for work that is more challenging. They may have backed off because of your health issues. Also, you might look into going part time so you can spend more time on rehabilitation. They might even be able to help you with support for that. If you have a chronic injury, particularly if you are on strong medication for it, you are, probably, going to have trouble finding another job. I would be taking some baby steps here and seeing if you can work within the current system rather than throwing it in and hoping. Best of wishes for your problems improving.

  • minniethemoocher on 08/02/2019 - 13:09
    +1

    Could you ask your employer if they could change your role to part-time to give you more time to rehabilitate?

  • the Unforgiven on 08/02/2019 - 22:20

    Talk to your doctor

    Talk to your union rep

    Workers comp

    You get RSI from writing all day, don't you wink, wink

  • [Deactivated] on 09/02/2019 - 14:57
    +1

    So many questions and no reply from op. Spam

    • the Unforgiven on 10/02/2019 - 16:55
      +2

      maybe it was a terminal illness?

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