Hello

I hope someone will be able to offer me some advice about some issues I am facing at work. I am sorry – it is a long post! Last year I had six months off work – totally tired with everything, stressed and anxious and really quite ill. This was brought about by a very heavy workload and working in a small team, which just didn’t work. I was the leader and the other member was not doing the job to the standard required. I had little support with this and ended up doing most of the work and the person took a grievance out against me when I tried to address the performance issues, even though I followed policy and the guidance of HR. It was all a very difficult time, and it wasn’t until I took the time off work that I realised how ill I had become. Anyway, the grievance was dropped … eventually and the person put on a capability plan by another manager to help improve their performance. I returned to work in February and at my first meeting with a senior manager I was told I was going to be put onto a capability plan because … ‘I hadn’t been positive at work’ and ‘there were issues with my personal style’. Remember I was returning to work after a six month absence. I had no idea what this was about. Today I have been told I have to go to a meeting later this week when I will be ‘put on this capability action plan’. Three months after it was originally mentioned to me. I am devastated .. I have worked for 30 years, without any issue; I have always had good performance reviews and yet I find myself facing an action plan. I am angry, saddened and trying to be positive, but feel what is happening is just not right. I feel management want me out. When I went back to work I asked to reduce my hours – I was told no. I asked for some flexibility to help me with childcare – I was told no, and that I had to work from 0845 – 1700hrs, meaning I had to put my daughter into extra childcare. I know many people struggle with these issues, but I can’t seem to shift my mindset, despite trying really hard. I want to be positive, I want to move on, I want to do the best job I can .. but I feel so angry about how I am being treated. I feel alone and isolated and like I can’t make the move myself. This is making me feel that I am useless and I should be able to do something. Can anyone please offer me some advice on how to move on. Thank you.