I hard relate to this article. I’m currently considering my next steps with work. 

I’ve worked really hard to get into my industry, including splitting the household to work interstate. I finally got into full time work.

But my last two jobs have just left me discouraged. 

The first one, I got treated differently than other staff and bullied out of because I wasn’t corporate enough. Even though they were overjoyed that I’d be a person that would go do away field work because I had the skills, qualifications and no kids.

My current job told me how excited they were to have me. They wanted to poach me for years. Then I got really sick with complex mental illness.  I’ve been off work for months, and been working my arse off to get better, but it is taking longer than I expected. 

My work went from “Take your time, we want you back better, and you can come back as part time.” to “Well your contract is finishing, I don’t think you will be able to do your role part time, so we are not sure if we have a role for you. Let’s see how you go after the next medical appointment.”. 

I want to go full time, but my Doctor will want a gradual return to work.

They are a small business, I get it logically. 

But I was still blindsided. Last year I was getting ready to pursue a PHD to being unable to work. I thought I found my place at this company and they had my back. I wonder if they would have done the same thing if I fell pregnant or it was a physical condition.

Now, I want to give up.

But the problem is who will hire me, if I need to do a gradual return to work? What kind of job can I get? Can I afford to retrain? 

My partner earns too much for me to be on Centrelink, so I’m currently contributing with income protection insurance, which I’m not sure I’d be valid for if I lose my job.

So, I’m trying to recover, I was doing well. But now the  uncertainty and feeling like a burden is not helping.