off sick and a grievance at work

flutterrby

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Slightly different I know - my "stress" was subsequently identified as General Anxiety Disorder - but my GP told me that going out and doing things outside the house would probably help me recover more quickly, as (1) my mind would be taken off the situation causing me stress, and (2) I wouldn't be worrying about other things like getting somebody else to do the shopping.

So long as nobody sees you doing something that's physically impossible due to the nature of your sick leave (such as ice-skating when you have a supposed broken leg), I don't see as there is a problem. Life has to go on.

Thank you tigsteroonie, the support itself is very much appreciated.

Stopping in doors all day worrying about whether I would be seen is likely to exasperate my stress levels but people at work would not see it that way, they are likely to say "I saw her out, so she cant be that sick".

anamenottaken

flutterrby wrote: »

I am also off on stress and have been advised by a colleague that I should stay at home while off sick. The problem is, I am a single mother and need to be able to get shopping done. Am I allowed to be out while on sick?

Even if your job was "shopping", as long as the situation which caused you stress is not present when you go shopping on your own account, there is no reason why you should not do it. (And I don't suppose your job is "shopping", so even less worry about getting on with that part of your life.)

flutterrby

anamenottaken wrote: »

Even if your job was "shopping", as long as the situation which caused you stress is not present when you go shopping on your own account, there is no reason why you should not do it. (And I don't suppose your job is "shopping", so even less worry about getting on with that part of your life.)

No I am a teaching assistant working with children in schools

bigsooze

To be fair to your HR department, they will want to work through your absence + grievance with you - and if it is at least partly work-related stress then it's sensible for them to want to understand (a) the cause and (b) what you + they can do to get you through it.

I don't doubt that you feel under stress at work but it can become a catch-22 when people are off because of a specific issue, and yet you haven't met to discuss it + give your employer a chance to put it right.

If you don't address the grievance, surely the matter isn't going to go away on its own? And it sounds as if you're heading into a pretty hectic time in your personal life anyway ...

flutterrby

bigsooze wrote: »

To be fair to your HR department, they will want to work through your absence + grievance with you - and if it is at least partly work-related stress then it's sensible for them to want to understand (a) the cause and (b) what you + they can do to get you through it.

I don't doubt that you feel under stress at work but it can become a catch-22 when people are off because of a specific issue, and yet you haven't met to discuss it + give your employer a chance to put it right.

If you don't address the grievance, surely the matter isn't going to go away on its own? And it sounds as if you're heading into a pretty hectic time in your personal life anyway ...

It is difficult. the HR dept does have a job to do and obviously need to ascertain the reason for the stress levels. However, what I am unable to understand is how much do they expect of you while off sick. Are we expected to stop in? Can we be seen out and about eg, shopping or having a cuppa with a friend. When the doctor says to get out and relax and not to think about work issues but the school you work in thinks otherwise.

flutterrby

Another issue I feel difficult to understand, is: Friends at work ask you to talk about it and we know deep down that we shouldn't. However, the need to feel understood is overwhelming and we talk to them. The advice they give can hurt in itself - getting the anxiety levels working overtime because of their opinions.
I was unable to take a call when HR rang, I was actually still in bed in the afternoon. Woudl this go against me if they thought I was out shopping?

DVardysShadow

flutterrby wrote: »

Another issue I feel difficult to understand, is: Friends at work ask you to talk about it and we know deep down that we shouldn't. However, the need to feel understood is overwhelming and we talk to them. The advice they give can hurt in itself - getting the anxiety levels working overtime because of their opinions.
I was unable to take a call when HR rang, I was actually still in bed in the afternoon. Woudl this go against me if they thought I was out shopping?

Would you mind starting a new thread? I have read through a load of posts about mummyhol's OH's problem only to find it is truly dead and not the least relevant to your situation. Thanks.