After 7 years in which I suffered severe mental illness, and 5 years of not working, eeking out a living on Incapacity Benefit and lately Job Seekers Allowance, I have been offered full-time employment and start on 19th August.

I would just like to say well done to myself, and maybe give a bit of hope to others, as when you're in the midst of long term illness it can seem there's no way out. But there is if you give it time and don't rush things.

Congratulations and I'm sure I speak for all who visit the forum.

JK2006 wrote:
Congratulations and I'm sure I speak for all who visit the forum.

Indeed ... just shows all those who say "there are no jobs" (and a bit of squeezing on the benefits certainly helps - thousands have "miraculously found work" when they benefits were cut or frozen).

Good news David

Oh David, i am so pleased for you. Well done!

In The Know wrote:
JK2006 wrote: thousands have "miraculously found work" when they benefits were cut or frozen).

Not at all my case. I've been struggling for years through some very severe difficulties. It's been incredibly hard and I'm very proud of myself for what I've achieved.

And thank you Pattaya and honey

Well done mate.

The job market is improving.

Indeed congrats and I'd say it's almost a miracle getting a job these days with around 2.5 million unemployed and less than 500,000 vacancies.

But I'm sure ITK has a simple cure for that. (which will include doing something dire to 'dolers' )

Hopefully it's a decent company & not one by imbeciles, that have nothing better to do, than insult your intelligence & don't expect overtime from you, without asking before they decide to put you down for it & then expect you to work every weekend & every bank holiday, as seems to be the case, if you work in some awful shop.

Good luck David. Hopefully, you wont regret taking the position, in a few weeks time.

Just thought I'd post an update........

I've now been in work for 3 weeks in an extremely demanding role, made even more demanding by the fact that I hadn't worked in 5 years, plus the fact that this role has an extremely steep learning curve. I come home every evening mentally and physically exhausted.

I had my first appraisal the other day and my manager said the following:

'I'm not going to beat about the bush, David. You are doing brilliantly. Everyone I've spoken to is hugely impressed by your personality, your approach and how quickly you're picking things up.'

Again, I wanted to post this to encourage anyone who has been long term unemployed, through sickness or other reasons. It's great to get back into work, but do it when you're ready. Don't be bullied by government agencies or media stereotypes, go at your own speed.

david wrote:
Just thought I'd post an update........

I've now been in work for 3 weeks in an extremely demanding role, made even more demanding by the fact that I hadn't worked in 5 years, plus the fact that this role has an extremely steep learning curve. I come home every evening mentally and physically exhausted.

I had my first appraisal the other day and my manager said the following:

'I'm not going to beat about the bush, David. You are doing brilliantly. Everyone I've spoken to is hugely impressed by your personality, your approach and how quickly you're picking things up.'

Again, I wanted to post this to encourage anyone who has been long term unemployed, through sickness or other reasons. It's great to get back into work, but do it when you're ready. Don't be bullied by government agencies or media stereotypes, go at your own speed.

Well said David,and congrats on the job going so well.