Signed off work with stress

luaive

Ive been signed off work for stress, ive only had 3 days out of 2 weeks and im constantly worried about work I dont want to lose my job. I work in retail, not the most demanding job I know, the dr put stress related problems, as its not work related, will I get into trouble for having the time off? I haven't spoken to anyone in work about how im feeling, as I try and keep my personal life seperate. Should I just go in and say I will return to work? I feel like a fraud, it was probably just a bad day.....

TELLIT01

I suppose the question is where you will do better. If the stress isn't work related, and being off work is causing you more stress, will you actually feel better if you are in a work environment where your mind is occupied and you have less time to think about what is stressing you? Will you be able to concentrate to do your job properly?

Fireflyaway

If the Dr has signed you off, its legitimate for you to have the time off no matter what the cause. Stress / depression / anxiety are as much a medical problem as a broken arm or food poisoning. I too like to keep my work and private life separate so if I were in your situation now, I would do what I did when I was in your situation 15 years ago. I took the time off as per certificate, then at the end of 2 weeks went back to work. I spoke to my line manager asking to keep the reason for my absence confidential ( which they should anyway) and if anyone asked I said I had flue.
Try and identify the reason for your stress and tackle it. Remember to take care of your mental health as you would your physical health. Sleep well, do things you enjoy. Don't feel guilt if one day you stay in all day and watch TV or leave the housework to another time or take a random day off work just to do some shopping or go to the cinema. Its actually a good thing you went to the gp. Tackling issues before they get too big is better than ignoring it only for it to become something worse. I couldn't begin to count the people I know who have experienced stress or depression at one point or other. Its very common and nothing to be embarrassed about.

Marktheshark

Worrying they can not cope without you is a good indicator of work related stress.

Work has been around thousands of years and will still around in thousands of years.

You wont be , so focus on what is important.

Livelongandprosper

As above, you need to tackle the source of your stress.

Right now your GP has signed you not fit to work. Both you and your employer have to accept that, they are not likely going to let you go for the sake of 2 weeks sick. If you get sick pay in that time depends on your contract and length of service

When they might get snotty and start questioning wether you are fit to do the job, is if the sickness runs on, or is an often occurrence Depending on how long you have worked there will determine their stance

Right now your GP says you are not fit for work so you have to accept that. If come the end of your fit note you feel able to go back then well and good. If you don't, then get back to the GP and discuss further treatment and support

Just because it's not work related it doesn't make you a fraud being off sick with stress

TELLIT01

Livelongandprosper wrote: »

Just because it's not work related it doesn't make you a fraud being off sick with stress

Absolutely. Just an example, but when my brother died suddenly and totally unexpectedly, I really couldn't function properly for some time. It's not work related but there no way I could have done my job.

luaive

Thankyou everyone for your kind words, I am going in later, to speak to our personnel management, I do want to take the 2 weeks off and get my head straight, although I worry that I will have to spend the entire time at home and with all these thoughts flying around my head. Because if im seen out it will look bad And if I dont go back, i'll get disaplined for being off sick My work doesn't care if you have a sicknote, a colleague of mine was off for depression and got disciplined when she got back

TELLIT01

luaive wrote: »

My work doesn't care if you have a sicknote, a colleague of mine was off for depression and got disciplined when she got back

Sadly, that attitude by companies is commonplace these days. They have a set number of sick days, or periods of absence, which automatically trigger disciplinary action. Many managers then either don't have the common sense to look deeper into the situation, or aren't permitted to because they lay themselves open to disciplinary action if they don't tick the right boxes.

I was actually speaking to a former colleague of mine yesterday. She had been off with work related stress for 2 weeks, and was immediately given a written warning for excessive absence on her first day back. That's obviously going to help - not! Despite the fact that her sick note stated 'Work Related Stress', at no time did the manager ask what the underlying cause was.

bargainbetty

If you work for a place that issues disciplinary notes and warning for being off work when you have been formally diagnosed by a doctor as unfit for work, I'd be very tempted to spend the time looking for a job elsewhere.

It is not acceptable for an employer to coerce or emotionally blackmail employees into working when they are unfit or punish them for doing so.

luaive

Really wish I had the confidence to go out and start again in a new job, I see so many people do it and yet i'd stress (yep...surprisingly) over whether they would still want me after the probation period. Sometimes its better the devil you know.....

TELLIT01

luaive wrote: »

Really wish I had the confidence to go out and start again in a new job, I see so many people do it and yet i'd stress (yep...surprisingly) over whether they would still want me after the probation period. Sometimes its better the devil you know.....

You're getting yourself into a potentially damaging loop where you start worrying about worrying:( Easy to say, but you do need to try to find a way to break that loop.