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Hi there,
Let me expand on how this has come about.
About 18 months ago I started as a trainee bus driver with First bus, I was rushed through the whole driver training and successfully got my license, here the problems began, as soon as I got the licence I was forced on to duty before I was confident & competent enough. I raised my concerns to my manager about how I was suffering from anxiety and have been doing for several years prior and could not face going on duty straight away, I needed more time to learn the routes (40+) and the workings of all the different buses I would have to drive (I'd only every driven 1 bus prior to this) I was completely overwhelmed and out of my depths.
There was no support from my manager, she basically told me to like it or lump it.
The anxiety got so bad that I was physically being sick throughout the days with worry, I got ill and ultimately this lead to a mental breakdown and I informed the company that because of their lack of training and support I would have to surrender my position for health reasons.
Several weeks later I received a letter stating that I owe £750 for the training I received. I disputed this claim because it was the lack of training what ultimately escalated my anxiety and cost me my job. Despite me pleading for further assistance and support.
Anyway, that was that and I heard nothing since, I moved house several months later and just the other day the landlord from my old house posted me a letter to my new house, it was from Transportation Claims Ltd acting on behalf of First, threatening me with a CCJ unless I pay this balance within 14 days.
I am still unemployed, I am now a student, I have to claim out of work benefits and have been awarded PIP for the anxiety and depression which I am still being treated for.
I really don't want a CCJ but neither can I afford to repay at the moment either, I can barely survive as it is without a wage, I also feel that I was forced out of that position, I pleaded for support and was rejected. I didn't want to leave the job but I was faced with no choice.
Can anyone offer some advice on how to proceed? I wanted to ignore it as I am no longer at that address and I could say I haven't received any mail, but this won't help in court and the stress and worry is increasing my anxieties even further.
I am struggling to keep my head above the water as it is. I can barely keep a roof over my families head and food in their bellies. My benefits seems to be going down every month yet my living costs are rising and bills are slapping me from every direction and the icing on the cake is a £160 fine from the NHS for claiming a free prescription even with an exemption card, anyway, I digress.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Let me expand on how this has come about.
About 18 months ago I started as a trainee bus driver with First bus, I was rushed through the whole driver training and successfully got my license, here the problems began, as soon as I got the licence I was forced on to duty before I was confident & competent enough. I raised my concerns to my manager about how I was suffering from anxiety and have been doing for several years prior and could not face going on duty straight away, I needed more time to learn the routes (40+) and the workings of all the different buses I would have to drive (I'd only every driven 1 bus prior to this) I was completely overwhelmed and out of my depths.
There was no support from my manager, she basically told me to like it or lump it.
The anxiety got so bad that I was physically being sick throughout the days with worry, I got ill and ultimately this lead to a mental breakdown and I informed the company that because of their lack of training and support I would have to surrender my position for health reasons.
Several weeks later I received a letter stating that I owe £750 for the training I received. I disputed this claim because it was the lack of training what ultimately escalated my anxiety and cost me my job. Despite me pleading for further assistance and support.
Anyway, that was that and I heard nothing since, I moved house several months later and just the other day the landlord from my old house posted me a letter to my new house, it was from Transportation Claims Ltd acting on behalf of First, threatening me with a CCJ unless I pay this balance within 14 days.
I am still unemployed, I am now a student, I have to claim out of work benefits and have been awarded PIP for the anxiety and depression which I am still being treated for.
I really don't want a CCJ but neither can I afford to repay at the moment either, I can barely survive as it is without a wage, I also feel that I was forced out of that position, I pleaded for support and was rejected. I didn't want to leave the job but I was faced with no choice.
Can anyone offer some advice on how to proceed? I wanted to ignore it as I am no longer at that address and I could say I haven't received any mail, but this won't help in court and the stress and worry is increasing my anxieties even further.
I am struggling to keep my head above the water as it is. I can barely keep a roof over my families head and food in their bellies. My benefits seems to be going down every month yet my living costs are rising and bills are slapping me from every direction and the icing on the cake is a £160 fine from the NHS for claiming a free prescription even with an exemption card, anyway, I digress.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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