depression

[SAH]

I've been receiving treatment from my GP for depression for the last 6 months and now my employer wants to move me to another office. I like working where I am at the moment, with familiar people and the thought of working somewhere else makes me panic. If I were to get a note from my doctor stating that I was currently undergoing treatment for depression, could my employer still make me move to a new office?

[SAH]

Einstein - thanks for your response. It's a bit complicated, but what my employer is actually doing at the moment is moving people into various locations in order to implement a new system. After a few months they intend to review staff numbers required in these various locations and people will then have to apply for the advertised posts, in effect possibly their own jobs. So I could argue that technically at the moment I haven't got a job. What's really annoying me is a lady on the same group as me is allowed to stay at this location because she has "special needs" which basically means she's a single mum. This smacks of discrimination as being a single mum is NOT a disability where as I feel that depression is. When you're feeling depressed the last thing you need is to have to move to a new location and face unfamiliar surroundings and even worse be moved away from a friend who is helping you through it all.

[DavidUK]

This is just the sort of situation where it is useful to belong to union. Even if there were not enough members to qualify the union for having negotiating rights, they could still advise you on your rights in this case. Is there a suitable union that you could join? The situation you describe all sounds a bit dodgy to me and I wonder if the company may be breaking some rules. Are they trying to get rid of people without paying them for redundancy?

[SAH]

DavidUK - Thanks for that reply - I do belong to a union but I don't want to be seen as a "troublemaker" - there's no question that they won't pay people redundancy if it comes to that - my issues are that they're moving people before they've even decided if they'll have a job and also that not everyone in my office is being treated the same and so I feel that I am being discriminated against.

[woodpam]

I'm sure this uncertainty isn't helping your depression at all. Your union can give you advice and will not take action without your specifically requesting them to. For completely anonymous and reliable advice try http://www.acas.org.uk/ , they are excellent and there is a telephone helpline too. Two things you may want to know; your employer has no reason to consider your medical condition unless you have declared it to be an issue. However, being unfit to do the work can leave you open to dismissal. The person with a small child who is not being moved has to have his or her needs considered in the light of the latest "family friendly" part of the Human Rights Act, and this is not preferential treatment, just different.
Talk to ACAS as the distance you are being asked to move may be regarded as unreasonable if it's far enough.
If you have to move, try and see it as a chance to make new friends (other people will probably be as worried as you are about this) and learn to cope with change. I do hope it goes well for you.

[SAH]

woodpam - that's why I don't want to move as I feel it will not help my depression - I'm afraid I have to disagree with you regarding my fellow colleague - the building she was supposed to be moving to is actually nearer to her then the one she works in at present. I haven't bought up the subject of my depression with my boss as I don't really want to make an issue out of it, but if I'm forced to I guess I'll have no choice. Anyway thanks for your kind words.

[DavidUK]

As woodpam suggests: have a confidential word with your union and you might at least find out where you stand and they might suggest how you could best deal with it. I know that, when you are depressed, everything just seems too much to cope with but I hope it all works out and good luck!

[SAH]

Just to update you on this, I was told by my boss today that I would have to move offices, I replied that I would need to speak to my union. My "friend" told me I was being obstructive and could give myself a reputation for being awkward. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that a true friend would stand by you whatever the circumstances, even if deep down they knew what you were doing was wrong. I've lost count the amount of times I've done the same for her. I'm now totally p****d off with life - GOODNIGHT!!!