Nervous about sickeness

Rye93_2

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to ask if anyone had some advice about this. Basically, Iv'e called in sick from work since Tuesday each day. It's down to stress and anxiety. I have a record of this and over 6 years at the same company, Iv'e had 2 sick notes in the past for the same thing. I currently have an appointment on Tuesday next week with my GP to discuss thing's, but I'm panicking because when I texted my manager on Friday, they never got back to me like the normally do. I only text in case they are busy and I feel they are in a mood with me because of this.

I'm currently on a verbal warning because of sickness and I'm not ready to go back until I discuss things with my doctor. Basically, I'm scared to call in sick on Monday again and this is causing more stress.

Is there any advice someone can offer? 

Thank You

Billy_B_North

You were posting recently about how you’ve had warnings for messing around when you should be working from home, is this related to that? If you are under close observation for not doing your job, and are also calling in sick then you will be placing yourself at risk.
What’s causing the stress?

You mentioned that you were considering taking another job, is that an option?

Savvy_Sue

My employer requires us to phone if we are sick: text messages are not acceptable. If it's a work phone you texted to, you don't even know if your manager has seen your message. Also, if it's clear we won't be back immediately, we are not required to phone every day. 

So what does your company's policy on this say? 

TELLIT01

When I worked for DWP we had to phone in every day until/unless we had a certificate from a GP or hospital.

Marcon

Rye93_2 said:

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to ask if anyone had some advice about this. Basically, Iv'e called in sick from work since Tuesday each day. It's down to stress and anxiety. I have a record of this and over 6 years at the same company, Iv'e had 2 sick notes in the past for the same thing. I currently have an appointment on Tuesday next week with my GP to discuss thing's, but I'm panicking because when I texted my manager on Friday, they never got back to me like the normally do. I only text in case they are busy and I feel they are in a mood with me because of this.

I'm currently on a verbal warning because of sickness and I'm not ready to go back until I discuss things with my doctor. Basically, I'm scared to call in sick on Monday again and this is causing more stress.

Texting is much easier than speaking to someone...are you sure that's not why you text your manager?

If you think your manager 'is in a mood...because of this' then you need to pluck up courage and ring. How can you possibly assess how they are feeling when you are relying on guesswork?

davilown

I know it sounds harsh but if you’ve had a verbal warning about sickness, why are you going off again? A company can only support someone who is sick for a certain period of time before is financially hampers them.
You need to, with the help of your GP, identify the cause of you anxiety and try to find a way to deal with it so it doesn’t affect your work.
It’s hard, but ultimately you are responsible for your work and your ability to provide your workplace with and effective employee.
Is your workplace part of any counselling schemes?

happyc84

I'd check if your company has an occupational health dept that can review your situation.
Speak to your GP, make some notes beforehand, outline the reasons and what impact it is having on you. Depending on the outcome, if its a Fit note with a reason for the sick leave share this with your Line Manager. The first step is the hardest, asking for help.

TBagpuss

What is your organisation's sickness policy and are you following it? In particular, is it acceptable to text or are you expected to call?
Why would you expect your employer to come back to you Simply to acknowledge the message, or for some other reason? 
It's possible that your manager was ff so not dealing with work-related texts, it's possible they didn't respond because there is nothing to say.
It's possible that they are annoyed that you are taking a lot of sick time and may be looking at whether this is something they need to address. 
As long as you are following the correct procedure in informing them them all you can do is continue to do that, to speak to your GPO both bout your long term health and to get a fit note if need be, and, longer term, for you to consider whether this is the right job for you f you are regularly getting ill.