Unable to work due to work related stress- what happens next?

Daisychains

Sorry to drag this up again but I recieved my occupational health report yesterday. On the phone she said she would write to my employers saying I am not fit to work but in the report it says I am physically fit to work and attend meetings.

Obviously my problem isn't physical although the anxiety attacks do cause physical symptoms. It also said the reasons I'm off work eg abusive customers and other issues are not medical causes for illness. Although it says I'm physically fit to work it does say recovery will take 2-3 weeks and that my gp has advised respite from work.

She said on the report she believes I'm suffering with reactive stress.

Not sure what my question is really, just needed to share my thoughts I feel worse than ever x

tomtontom

I think you're reading into the report too much. Physically you can attend work, your problem is a mental health one. The causes of your stress are situational/ reactive, they are caused by external factors. The report is not devaluing what you are feeling, it is a factual account of your situation.

I would echo the suggestions that this is not the right work for you. Have you had a think of what you might like to do going forward?

Daisychains

tomtontom wrote: »

I think you're reading into the report too much. Physically you can attend work, your problem is a mental health one. The causes of your stress are situational/ reactive, they are caused by external factors. The report is not devaluing what you are feeling, it is a factual account of your situation.

I would echo the suggestions that this is not the right work for you. Have you had a think of what you might like to do going forward?

They've suggested a few things that will help me get back to work, which I know will help me hugely. I still feel emotionally unstable though and don't want to risk having a panic attack when talking to a customer so I'm going to take my doctors advice and take another week or so off work, depending how long he writes the sick note for. I've already been off since last Monday but don't feel much better yet.

My contract ends in a few months. I want to go back as soon as I feel able to and complete the contract due to having qualifications I need to complete and also to see it out because I've worked so hard and come really far in this job

With occ health saying I'm physically fit for work I'm concerned they will rush me or say if I don't return now then I will lose my job I am hoping my gps opinion will over rule occ health as I only spoke to occ health for ten or so mknjtes on the pgone and was only asked specific questions.

KayJay

Daisychains, you need to get your union involved if you are a member. They can liaise with HR and Occ Health. If you have only self certified then it is too soon for OH to be stating that you are physically fit. They usually come to this conclusion based on what your FIT notes will say from your GP. So if you haven't got a doctors note yet - you need to. It's odd for an OH to use the term 'physically fit' when you have made it clear that it is mental/anxiety/emotional issues.
Don't let them rush you, else you can be set back a long time. Also a good thing is a phased return. When you are stable and on the mend of course.

Daisychains

Thanks for your reply.

It is really confusing me they say i am physically fit for work but that I have reactive stress that will take me a while to recover from(occ health advisor said they can not give w time scale but think roughly 2-3 weeks). The fact that they told me verbally I'm not fit for work is confusing me even more.

My gp said last week he's happy to issue me a sick note once I've self certified for 7 days which will be tomorrow. He also said work can phone him to discuss the situation with him if needed - is this a good idea?

I'm very naive and easily pressured, occupational health have recommended meetings with management to discuss the way forward and I just know I'll end up being pressured into going back too soon and going back to square one.

Also dismissal is of course a huge worry I am not in the union. I feel kind of completely alone. Although a few colleagues have offered to attend meetings with me if needed.

Thanks x

pinkshoes

Just from a blunt point of view, if your job is making you sick with stress, then QUIT!!!

Your health is more important than qualifications and returning to a job.

If it is making you ill, then quit and find a different career route! Life is way too short...

Daisychains

Just had a call saying they want me to go in for a meeting to discuss my occupational health report and to hand in my sick note. I don't feel able to but I'm going to force my self to go in. I am taking a colleague in with me too so that there is someone there to make me feel a bit more relaxed.

To the other poster I don't want to quit as I have worked extremely hard to get where I am in this company and want to be back at work ASAP but I'm just not ready yet.

Takeaway_Addict

Daisychains wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

It is really confusing me they say i am physically fit for work but that I have reactive stress that will take me a while to recover from(occ health advisor said they can not give w time scale but think roughly 2-3 weeks). The fact that they told me verbally I'm not fit for work is confusing me even more.

My gp said last week he's happy to issue me a sick note once I've self certified for 7 days which will be tomorrow. He also said work can phone him to discuss the situation with him if needed - is this a good idea?

I'm very naive and easily pressured, occupational health have recommended meetings with management to discuss the way forward and I just know I'll end up being pressured into going back too soon and going back to square one.

Also dismissal is of course a huge worry I am not in the union. I feel kind of completely alone. Although a few colleagues have offered to attend meetings with me if needed.

Thanks x

Work are unlikely to talk to your doctor without your express written wish and this probably isn't a good idea as it means you have no input on what your doctor says or your employer asks.

You are going to have to make a decision at some point because stalling won't last for ever, you will at some point need to talk to management and talk about returning to work, you just need to decide as best as possible when that will be.