Signed off with stress - sick note end date clarification & formal meeting?

lonestarfan

Daisychains wrote: »

Also do you guys think I should ask about SSP? I've not received an ssp1 form and sick pay hasn't been mentioned at all, which is another worry but really don't want to ask them x

Don't be afraid to ask. It's not personal to your manager. It's not his money it's an entitlement that you have in your terms and conditions that has taken centuries of union negotiation to earn. All you are asking is what is your entitlement. Off the top of my head I don't know as I don't know your service start date and terms and conditions but with some employers it could be 1 month full pay and one month half pay in the first year.

lonestarfan

Daisychains wrote: »

Thanks I'm dreading ringing work to tell them about the new sick note as I was due back this week I thought I could manage it but I can't. That being said my medication has stopped most of the physical anxiety attack symptoms so I don't feel as ill physicslly, but still very emotionally unstable etc.

Work have arranged a lot of things for me eg breaks in between talking with clients and things, they've bent over backwards for me but this is making me feel even more guilty

My contract ends in a few months time. So I'm not sure what will happen, in my letter it says they will consider after my next meeting if my abscense can still be supported.

I want to go back but I'm scsred of going back too soon, my gp suggested a phased return to work once I feel able, probably after this week but I'm seeing him again on Friday. He did actually say I habe 'low mood' as well as stress but this isn't on my sick note, he has just left it as 'stress at work'

Anyway thanks for all the replies it's been really helpful x

It sounds to me like they are working towards making a decision on whether your continued absence can be sustained by the business. It's a commercial decision. Especially as they employed you for a fixed term, they would want you to work the contract and not be off sick during it. They needs facts on which to base their decison and it will be facts such as is there a date of return in the near future or not, is ill health retirement to be explored, can they redeploy you, can they make adjustments.
It's not personal to you although it will feel like it. It's not your fault that you are ill but it's not theirs either. I don't think I've seen info on why you are suffering work related stress. Stress is so individual and some of us are more resilient to it than others. I really feel for you that you are experiencing anxiety as that is a terrible feeling and if you are having panic attacks then that is really really miserable. Don't be afraid to say to yourself that you're not cut out for this type of work or that type of work. its not failure to say this work is just not for you. recognise what stresses you out so you can make sure you don't go for that type of work again in the future. I'm sorry if I'm wrong assuming it's the job not really being right for you as I don't see it mentioned what the stress is. Sometimes it is a strength to walk away but I'm sure your counselling will help you more than I can. Xx

meer53

OP, i have just read your other post. If this job is making you so ill, you should look for another one. Being signed off sick with "work related stress" won't help your chances of finding another one though. It won't help you to progress and get your qualifications either, it's obviously not the job for you at the moment. Maybe a different story when you're feeling better ?

You need to do whatever it takes to recover, and if that means leaving this job to protect your health, then thats what you should do. You're only young, taking time out now to sort out your issues would be the best course for you. Trying to struggle on, going back to work when you're not ready, then ending up without a job because of being off sick isn't going to help you in the long run.

Prospective employers tend to take a dim view of people who have been off work with "work related stress" i'm afraid. I don't work in the Public Sector but i have known people to be "managed out" of my company for this.

d70cw6

i wouldnt ask them for a reference when you do go back on the jobs market. luckily it's your first job, so there will be no gaps in your employment.

sammyjammy

Daisy this is a duplicate of my post on your other thread, try and keep to this one now otherwise it makes it really hard for people to help you.

I'm assuming you work in a Jobcentre? This is a very difficult (and low paid job) these days, very different to when I worked in frontline service. Because you are on an FTA contract they can let you go at anytime, I'm not saying that to make you feel worse but just so you can prepare yourself.

As a first job i can see that it would be very daunting and idfficult. Maybe you need to decide whether this is the job for you. I assume the chances of being made permanent are slim to none so you will be jobless in three months anyway so why not start looking now?

Regards pay your manager will not be involved in this. I am unsure of the contractual sick pay arrangements for FTA staff but there is likely to be some, if not SSP will be paid automatically.

Sometimes its kinder to yourself to move on when something isn't right. I know you need the money but there are more important things in life and you'll move on from this.

Daisychains

Yes it's a JC, I loved the job at first and was coping with the stressful side of things but then I was singled out by somebody (in my view) and my confidence was picked apart, obviously I can't go into details on such a public forum. I want to go back but my mental health still isn't great, the medication seems to be helping slightly. I spoke to management yesterday which was an awful experience and I was made to feel 10x worse and guilty etc, but it's not my fault I habent recovered yet! Like I said I can't go into many details. Still dreading the meeting but am prepared for the worse if it does happen!