breach of conduct?

[elzerbeth]

Hi all im looking for some help please. i have been off work sick for 7 weeks due to deppression and panic attacks.I was considering going back this weekend as i do not earn enough to get ssp and i dont earn enough to pay national insurance so cannot get any help there work had been paying me company sivk pay but im only entitled to 5 wks which i have had i was fine with going back as my docter wanted me to have a trail period i was all set to return when i find out that the whole of my department know i was off for deppression and have added that this is cause im suicidle i now feel a compleye freak and it has caused me to have a panic attack no one but my manager and supervisor knew i was off sick for this reason and i have told no one surley this is private info that should not be shared ? .I just dont know what to do know can anyone help please?

[Sidewinder]

First of all, don't get in a state over this - you may well find that your colleagues actually do not know much at all. It is maybe little more than a case of Chinese Whispers which is almost inevitable in an office environment, especially with longer periods of absence, and stress/depression are the most common theories that people come up with.

 

Of course the reasons for your absence should be confidential, but unless you know who has said something, or even whether anybody has said anything, there is little that you can do. Act on your doctor's advice, take things one step at a time and you may even find that your colleagues and employer are very supportive. What has happened to you is something that could affect any one of us at any time, and it should be nothing to be self-conscious over. Concentrate on getting yourself right, and share only as much as you are comfortable in sharing.