Off work with stress

sweaty_betty

I've been signed off work for a couple of week as a result of stress. The dr has been vague on the sick note as they said they usually are when it's something relating to stress/depression.

I'm wondering if I should tell work that I'm off because of stress. Is there anything to be gained from this?
Is there anything I should expect work to do when I go back to work to help me (obviously if there is I should tell them my absence is stress-related, but if not I'm not sure if it's a good idea)?

I've not got a great sick record at the moment as I've been off for 1-2 days about 5 times in the last year, my LO seems to pick up every germ from nursery and brings them home to spread around, so I'm a bit worried about being off at all, but I really couldn't handle things any more...

SarEl

Is the stress related to work or personal matters? Is there any reason why you think you shouldn't tell them?

Emmzi

the problem with stress is that it does tend to cloud your judgement. I would send the line in as in, and think about what to say when I felt better.

Re: other days off - emergency dependant leave is meant to be so you can *arrange* care of your LO, not do the caring yourself. I think you may need a better childminding plan. My friend's childcare will keep them if they have minor ailments. I think it is worth rethinking ways in which your child being ill does not become your employer's problem. You are on dodgy ground atm.

wolfehouse

usually there is a meeting with your manager when you return to work.
you can choose to mention any difficulties at your 'back to work interview'.
just takle the time off you need for now.

Uncertain

sweaty_betty wrote: »

The dr has been vague on the sick note as they said they usually are when it's something relating to stress/depression.

This is normal practice with many doctors and is a good idea. Mental health issues make up a very significant part of most GPs workload and they are well aware that it can be a serious but widely misunderstood problem.

You only have to look at some of the idiot posts we get on here (hopefully this thread will be spared) to see the ignorance and prejudice many people exhibit.

You don't at this stage need to elaborate on what the doctor has written. The firm have a medical certificate from a highly qualified professional, that is all they need for now.

ILW

As said earlier, the situation is totally different if the the stress is work related or not.

Uncertain

ILW wrote: »

As said earlier, the situation is totally different if the the stress is work related or not.

If, ultimately, the OP needs the firm to do something to sort out a work issue before a successful return is possible (and if there is any realistic chance of them actually sorting it) then yes, she will need to tell them at some point. However as she has only just been signed off with this type of problem then she needs to at least partially recover first.

The last thing she needs initially is being hounded by manager's / HR which is no doubt why the doctor felt it best to keep in vague.

ermine

I'm wondering if I should tell work that I'm off because of stress. Is there anything to be gained from this?

If something at work is the cause then yes. There are then two possible outcomes - either they will address the issues (or arrange a move if the issues are situational) or they won't. If you don't tell them then thy definitely won't address the issue.

I've not got a great sick record at the moment as I've been off for 1-2 days about 5 times in the last year,

That sort of absence pattern isn't a great one to have, it can raise eyebrows in HR. Stress can make you more susceptible to minor ailments, being run down doesn't help you fight these things off. So if you can get help with the cause of the stress, then you may find that improves too...

sweaty_betty

[QUOTE Re: other days off - emergency dependant leave is meant to be so you can *arrange* care of your LO, not do the caring yourself. I think you may need a better childminding plan. My friend's childcare will keep them if they have minor ailments. I think it is worth rethinking ways in which your child being ill does not become your employer's problem. You are on dodgy ground atm.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, to be clear, I haven't taken time off to look after my LO, he has brought home bugs and passed them on to me! I've had a variety of things from tonsilitis, to stomach bugs to 'flu. I usually struggle in to work as far as is possible, but perhaps I'm just more prone to bugs etc recently.

I know my sickness record isn't great, but I just seem to keep getting nasty stuff which floors me. I don't feel physically ill now, just at the end of my tether with work. At home I feel like a big fraud because I'm fine, but I start thinking about work and I can feel myself getting tense and my heart racing.

I think some of the cause is juggling work and home (my LO is only 15 months old, I've been back at work 9 months) but also work itself. There's a lot of uncertainty about work and redundancies which is worrying me from a financial point of view, and they're not being particular helpful about me working part time (telling me that if they want me to work on my day off I'll have to do it, that my childcare is not their problem (nursery can't take my LO on our usual day off as a one-off as they are full, we don't have family nearby and my OH works in education so is unable to take time off outside school holidays) and that I can't book holiday more than 3 months in advance because they might want me to work, when I need to book time off in the school holidays so that I can spend time with my OH/LO together). They sound like little things, but I'm just finding that everything is getting on top of me at the moment.

I'm not sure that telling work I'm off because of stress will help as there's nothing to be done about the uncertainty/redundancy issues (everyone is in the same boat and nobody knows what will happen) and their approach to wanting me to work on my day off/not letting me book leave far in advance is unlikely to change. I just don't want to make things worse for me when I go back, nor do I want to be first in the firing line for my sickness (now or previous). Not sure what to do for the best.

Thanks for the replies.

Emmzi

if you haven't had a warning before it's usually a chat and a waning ehich stays on file for 6 to 12 months, not sacking. Is that what company policy says? So actually you are better to stay off and take meds/ have counselling/ whatever doc says is best and get properly fitter before going back so you aren't off again ight away.

You sound right run down, a rest and proper food etc will probably do you a world of good!

Harry_Flashman

If there are redundancies, you may well find your sickness puts you right in line for one of them. Perhaps better to carry one 'struggling through' if only to keep your job?