I have been with the same company for 24 years. A little over 3 years ago, I was out on mental health leave for 6 weeks to adjust my medication. This coincided with a change to a new role. When I returned to begin my new role, the issues started.
The role is a specialized role that I need guidance and training on. From the day I started, I’ve had issues with getting trained and my coworker continuing to do my work. I’ve brought this point up my manager many times. He tells her to stop jumping in and she stops for a few weeks and she’s back at it. The result is that I’m seen as not performing to expectations.
Back on Sept, I met with my manager, who informed me that if my performance is being affected by my mental health then I needed to go out on leave or I’d receive a doesn’t meet expectations on my annual. So, I did and addressed many of the stressors and returned to work. The only stressor left is work and the fact that I’m being prevented from doing my job by my coworker
I decided enough was enough and met with my manager and HR to discuss. When I told them that work was causing me mental health issues, I was told they didn’t believe that because I hadn’t brought it up before when asked. I didn’t meet expectations and I’m being put on a PIP. The second in 3 years – which is unheard of.
I can’t stay with a company that doesn’t believe me about something so serious. I feel completely deflated that it took me so long to get the courage to confide and all they can say is that my coworker is basically helping to keep things afloat because of my mental health
Obviously, for whatever reasons, they aren’t letting me go. I need to apply to other places. How would I approach the reason for leaving to prospective employers? I don’t think I can use the current employer as a reference. In a perfect world, I’d like them to just let me go with severance so I can take the time off and work on my mental health but I just don’t see how I can make this happen
If you’ve read this far, thank you!!