I am reaching out to seek your advice and support regarding a situation I am facing at my workplace.
For the past seven years, I have dedicated myself to serving a prominent retail company, fulfilling my duties as a manager with diligence and commitment. However, my journey has been marred by significant health challenges, beginning with a diagnosis of breast cancer in February 2022, followed by hyperplasia in November of the same year.
Despite undergoing a lumpectomy, radiotherapy, and laparoscopy, I was determined to resume my responsibilities at work. In October 2022, I returned to my role. In December 2022 I was denied a request for Christmas Eve off. Following my intervention with HR, the decision was overturned, leading to a noticeable shift in my manager's behavior towards me. Subsequently, I faced unwarranted criticism regarding my productivity, despite my performance being adversely affected by factors beyond my control.
Moreover, I was blindsided by the revelation that I was no longer considered for the program, a course that promised advancement opportunities within the company. This news came as a blow, especially considering my unwavering dedication to my role and my aspirations for career progression.
In March 2023, I took the step of submitting a grievance letter detailing not only my manager's unprofessional conduct but also her consistent disregard for company policies. However, the grievance process was deeply flawed, characterized by inaccuracies, undue delays, and a blatant disregard for my rights as an employee.
Despite the company's acknowledgment of mistreatment and the promise of corrective measures, the resolution offered fell short of addressing the systemic issues at play. Relocation was proposed as a solution, accompanied by assurances of managerial training. However, the underlying issues remained unaddressed, leaving me feeling isolated and unsupported.
I initially tendered my resignation at the end of March 2023. However, during the subsequent grievance hearing, I was persuaded to take a career break instead. Regrettably, I succumbed to this suggestion, which resulted in an unplanned hiatus from work lasting six months.
During this period of absence, I had anticipated a reprieve to focus on my well-being and recuperation. However, the reality proved far more challenging. The extended break took a significant toll on my mental health, exacerbating feelings of isolation an uncertainty.
As I grappled with my decision to return to work at the beginning of October I was met with further obstacles and unreasonable demands. The prospect of relocating to a location over an hour and a half away from my home was untenable, yet the company seemed insistent on enforcing this arrangement.
Compounding my distress, my access to essential communication channels and support networks, including the cancer group I relied on, was inexplicably revoked. This deliberate isolation only served to exacerbate my sense of alienation and despair.
Now, as I face the prospect of returning to work under increasingly hostile conditions, I am at a loss for how to proceed. My mental and physical well-being are under threat, exacerbated by the demands of a shift pattern that disregards my ongoing medical treatment.
I am torn between resigning and waiting to be dismissed, which could have lasting repercussions for my professional reputation. Any insights, guidance, or words of wisdom would be immensely appreciated.
