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Comments from the community:

I think you need to give yourself waaaaay more credit for the fact that you actually went to work!!! Given the rough time you've had the last few weeks I think that's amazing! Yes, you should have your valium with you. I cut two valium off the big foil strip and keep it in the coin section of my wallet so I'll always have them with me, maybe try that?

Written by babz, 12. Oct 2008 04:13 PM

Cate

You are underestimating yourself. You have gone back to work and gone through a hospital admission and sometimes panicking is a result of overdoing things. Good luck at work tomorrow.

As for the ATO, take the solicitor with you - make sure they know what you want/expect from the ATO - job/compensation. Have in you mind both solutions and the amount of compensation you are willing to accept if that is offered. It is a horrid thing to go through but if you have the solicitor and they know their job, then you will be ok. Be strong and be positive about the things you want from the conciliation process.

Go Cate!!!

Mrs Studying1

Written by studying1, 12. Oct 2008 07:52 PM

You are one amazing woman Cate........give yourself a break. To go to work was a very brave thing....and you did really well.

Hope Gus is doing ok with you combing out his knots...

Take care Cate,

Luv Nouse

Written by Nouse, 12. Oct 2008 11:43 PM

Cate

You also need to make sure that any compensation does not affect any centrelink payments you might get and that you don't have to repay any money back.

I would have recommended you call my solicitor if you had told me earlier of this situation as she is an employee relations expert and often in the Brisbane papers for the work she does - getting people's jobs back, payouts she wins for clients.

Do take someone to support you and be aware that ATO will probably have a team of people at the session and you need to stay focused and strong on what you want/how much you might want.

Also ask for some thinking time so you can think about what is offered to you and ask people what they think of the offer, especially the Legal Aid Solicitor - their assistance in working out whether to accept or decline the offer is important. Remember you may be bound by confidentiality to not mention a figure you might get but you need that thinking time to find out how it affects any payments you get and if you have to repay any monies to centrelink.

I hope the conciliation is being held at an independent place and whoever is managing the process knows what they are doing. If you are not happy with how things are going, say you are leaving. You do not have to sit through crap and not get anywhere/a settlement you are happy with/you can live with.

Hope all goes well and I look forward to reading the progress/outcome of the session. I would go with you if you wanted help but I have other things on. Sorry.

Go Cate!!!

Mrs Studying1

Written by studying1, 14. Oct 2008 11:09 PM