What does your forums' name mean?

[Bon_courage]

@Former-Member Thank you so much for sharing. Beauty, balance and harmony what wonderful traits. Thanks for being here and for all that you do.

[Former-Member]

Thank you @Bon_courage  🙂🙏🏻🌺

The support from and sense of community here is really heartening, encouraging, and feels like a place I really want to be a part of 🙂🌺

I am so grateful to be here ☺️

[Adge]

Hi @Former-Member Thanks for asking about me.

Well the hospital stint lead to me effectively losing my job.

I wasn't dismissed as such - As a Casual I was not offered anymore work (no hours), after that.

This was despite having a very good performance record, & positive feedback to management from my clients.

I did not disclose the reasons for my hospitalisation to my employer (not that I was on the Psych Ward) - Just that I was in hospital.

However, judgements were obviously made - because that's where my work with that employer abruptly ended.

I was expecting to, & relying on returning to work (early December last year), as soon as I came out of hospital.

Instead I've had to adjust emotionally (& financially) to being unemployed again, which was not expected.

I'm now undertaking a First Aid Course, then soon starting a new job position -

- Under enormous pressure from the Disability Employment Service Jobsearch Agency, who seem determined to place me in any Job position that comes up.

Regardless of the amount of driving between clients (for this job) being beyond my capabilities.

My physical & health limitations are not being considered (again), when the DES Job Agency is put me forward for this job position (& others).

In any case, I am trying to find something Positive & encouraging (or empowering) to draw on, amidst what appears to be pointless (I'm hoping it isn't).

Thanks.

Adge

[tyme]

I'm sorry to hear that @Adge . It must be hard when it's not performance that has led to you losing your job. All I can say is that you didn't choose to be unwell and in hospital. I hope you are okay with this upcoming job. I'm hearing you when you say they are keen to just put you in any job.... it sounds like you are a case and not a person. 

I hope you are okay.

[Former-Member]

No worries @Adge  🙂

I’m so sorry to hear that hospitalisation resulted in no more hours (effectively loss of job) 😔 via your employer drawing conclusions and making judgements without discussing anything with you…stigma, and the consequences of, is very powerful our situation of mental health and illness, unfortunately. 
The financial and emotional adjustment can feel like having to roll back time and start again..two steps forward, one (or more) steps back, so to speak. 
I am familiar with repeated job loss due to health, and the enduring pressures from DES providers. 
I wondered if you have a good GP/doctor who can advocate on your behalf with a letter stating limitations and abilities, maybe listing a locale radius of driving to prevent exacerbation of your condition/s, and a limit to amount of clients per day, with a rest day in between, for example?

Also, I wanted to kindly remind you that you have rights: there is a document called the Disability Employment Services (DES) Quality Framework in place from July 2023 (sorry - I was unable to attach a link from my mobile), and page 10 lists the rights of a person seeking job placement support from a DES provider.
I hope this might be helpful in some way? 🌺

Something positive to remember is that you’ve managed to get better, come home, and your resilience is working while you adjust to some challenging changes - all positive things in your favour 🌺🙂

Take good care, and I hope this is a bit helpful 🙌🏻🙂

[Adge]

@tymeThank you.

It takes me time & effort to keep up with posts - Largely due to my daily fatigue & CPTSD etc.

However, it's really worth the effort - When I feel a sense of connection with people.

Adge

[Adge]

@Former-MemberThank you for your thoughtful response.

My Psychologist, just a week ago wrote a very supportive letter on my behalf - To my DES Provider.

She outlined some of my limitations - Including driving distances between client services.

My Psychologist listed lack of social interaction in Job positions (presented to me) as a major drawback - Which exacerbates my Dissociation.

As all recent Job positions presented to me by my DES Provider have involved working alone (solitary).

I have so far been successful in maintaining a day off, for recovery.

However, in response to my Psychologist's well-expressed & lengthy letter, in which she raised specific concerns regarding this particular Job Position that the DES Provider insist I start (soon) -

The DES Provider was only interested in their "Right of Reply" to my Psychologist - They attempted to Debunk my Psychologist's concerns, & claimed (wrongly) that I am personally in total Agreement with their Choice of Job Position (for me).

So unfortunately, my Psychologist's Advocacy seems to have fallen largely on deaf ears (DES Jobsearch Provider) - I do very much appreciate my Psychologist's efforts.

Adge

[Adge]

Yes, your suggestions were helpful @Former-Member Thanks.

You reminded me of the importance of Advocacy.

As often I don't seem able to achieve the same results myself (without an Advocate), or I don't feel listened to.

Plus I have needs, & I don't have to agree to whatever is offered - If it's unsuitable, unreasonable, or not workable.

Thanks.

Adge

[Former-Member]

No worries @Adge , I’m really sorry the DES is stepping over the line and entering into land beyond fact to press a point that seems to not exist, besides only to serve them, from what you’ve explained 😔

Your psychologist is a champ in writing clearly what you need - there’s essentially no reason the DES provider can’t work with what they have outlined, and it seems almost antagonistic to do otherwise. 
In light of this, I wondered if you know of the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service (CRRS) under the umbra of Job Access Australia? They have a phone number and this is a service dedicated to hear complaints about DES providers from DES participants/users 🌺

I hope I am not being too OTT/pushy? I have an advocacy background so I tend to know of some escalation pathways when there’s an injustice or misuse of systems - I wanted to kindly share this info with you, to gently let you know there are options, should you like to try a complaint resolution pathway (however I’m not sure how the process works or timeframes involved with this particular agency). 
I’d be happy to know your thoughts, if you’d like? 🙂🌺

[Former-Member]

No worries at all @Adge  🙂

Unfortunately often these days rights aren’t automatically upheld; they need to be enforced 😕 

..But, having said that, there’s nothing wrong with holding your own needs as priority despite the DES provider not liking it because it may not suit their path of least resistance. 
Maybe just the mention of the CRRS may be enough? 🙂

You also have SANE peeps in your corner, wishing you well, with kindness and support 🌺🙂