Sick note - Should other staff know why I'm off?

CG2018

Hi,

Apologies if I'm posting this in the incorrect section however I've currently been off work for 2 weeks with work related stress however I have been told by a member of staff where I work that the whole office knows that I've given a sick note to my manager and that its for work related stress.


I'm just wondering if my manager should have been allowed to tell people that? It must have come from him or HR as I've not told anyone. Furthermore the same member of staff says that there are now people asking each other why I'm so stressed.


Being off work for stress and then hearing this information hasnt helped as I'm sure you can imagine!

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks

TELLIT01

No. Other staff should not be told why you are off. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world. One place I worked, the finance director and his PA were the worst gossips of the lot. The FD and I had both been in London one day, at different meetings, and just happened to bump into each other on the way back to the station. First thing he said to me - "I've just been told that XYZ has cancer, but he doesn't want it known so don't tell anybody"!
If you feel it's going to cause you problems you need to raise it with HR. If you think you can get through it, it's possibly better to leave it particularly if you think the info was spread by your manager.

CG2018

Thanks for your response. Part of the reason I'm off sick currently is that my manager has created an atmosphere where I'm considered to be incompetent, and people talk to me like ****, despite how hard I work and how much I bill every month he makes me feel useless.

clairec79

In fairness they may not have said - sometimes by refusing to say people default to stress (or pregnancy) being the reason - and rumours are rife in many workplaces

Savvy_Sue

It's quite tricky but no, it shouldn't be common knowledge.

My employer is 'tight' about fit notes and 'stress' or 'depression' wouldn't be all around the office, although others are likely to work out it's one of the two. But another colleague has needed several operations and has talked quite openly about these. And when a colleague had cancer they were happy for us all to know. In a different company they might not want to share so much.

nimbo

Where I was based previously stress was always the assumption.

I had four days off with an eye infection and everyone assumed that I was off long term for stress. When I came in when I could open my eye and was no longer infectious people were quite amazed.

Someone may have guessed or assumed?

Mrs_Ryan

My manager asked if she could tell my colleagues when I got diagnosed with cancer. I agreed as we were a close knit ward and worked in a small team so I was happy for them to know- I got loads of supportive messages and one colleague called round with chocolates, flowers and a card for me which everyone had signed. No-one ever made any assumptions though.

Fireflyaway

I was signed off with similar in the summer. For me being in a place that was impacting my health wasn't worth it. 2 weeks off gave me a break from the stress but I knew when I went back the same issues ( people!) Would still be there. I used the time off to look for work and got a new job. Now I'm happy!No
Nobody should feel they have to resign to escape bullies or a bad boss but in reality some people don't change. You can't spend your whole working life stressed and unhappy.
Sorry that didn't answer your question! Just wanted to let you know it's worth making changes.
Re confidentiality, yes it should be kept private but offices are gossip factories after all! I'd seriously consider moving on.

TELLIT01

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

My manager asked if she could tell my colleagues when I got diagnosed with cancer. I agreed as we were a close knit ward and worked in a small team so I was happy for them to know- I got loads of supportive messages and one colleague called round with chocolates, flowers and a card for me which everyone had signed. No-one ever made any assumptions though.

The difference being that information was given out only after your agreement had been given. That isn't the case with the OP.