I think I returned from sick too early. What will happen if off again

[newjobtime17]

Hi.
I posted a few weeks ago as I was off with anxiety. I have been experiencing anxiety for some time but it peaked and I had 3 weeks off.

I went back last week and I expected it to be difficult. It was worse than I expected.

I was exhausted and I feel worse than before I went off in August. I have hardly slept over the weekend and wish I hadn't gone back.

I am on leave today as I wanted to have a shorter week but I am not sure if I can go in tomorrow.

Can any HR person advise me what could happen if I go off sick again in such a short period. I had a return to work meeting last week and it was mentioned that I would have a routine meeting in the next couple of week to comply with absence policy and expectations ( I don't have any previous sickness absence on record).

I had felt guilty about being off but now I think I am not helping myself by being in work. My heart is racing just typing this and thinking about work tomorrow.

Can anyone please advise.

Thanks

[daisychain01]

You may find your company uses a method of managing sickness absence using the Bradford scale, where there is a higher weighting placed on several short duration absences, than 1 long absence.

If you have already taken 3 weeks off in August and you are now considering more time off in September, it won't look good. Are you sure you need to take more time off or should you try to deal with the root cause of why you are so stressed that you don't want to go in?

If you try to get a new job, your attendance record could hang over you so think carefully if you really do need it?

[newjobtime17]

Thanks for the response and I understand what you are saying. I am trying to address the cause and am seeing a counsellor to help me. I have less influence over the demands in my place of employment, where there is a culture of overworking hours due to volume of work and high levels of staff sickness due to the environment we work in.

I have been awake since 4am and don't think I can go in today. I will just have to deal with the repercussions. My biggest worry is whether they will pay me as I have just returned from sick leave.

[RJnomore1]

It really depends on what your company policy says. Do you have access to a copy?

[newjobtime17]

Thanks for the messages. I phoned in sick today.

I actually phoned my manager to ask for extra leave but then ended up telling her why and she said she couldn't tell me to go off sick but she thought I should have a think about what I wanted to do and phone her back.

I phoned her back and reported myself as off sick. It isn't ideal but I couldn't go in. I have a GP appt at 6pm. I think I will get paid as I have a reasonable entitlement to occupational sick pay although I know they will deduct the 3 weeks off it.

[AlternativeTentacle]

Did you have a return to work interview where they looked at reducing work levels until you felt better?

How long have you worked there?

[newjobtime17]

Hi.

I have worked in this job for 4 years and the only previous time I was off was over 2 years ago for one and half days (I went in to work but had to leave and go home as was unwell and then off the next day)

I did have a return to work interview last week and we talked about managing anxiety. However, as I came back after 3 weeks it wasn't really seen as long-term sickness where they are willing to do phased return over a couple of weeks. I hadn't been referred to occupational health as that is normally triggered at 4 weeks as far as I am aware.

We talked about the possibility of handing some work over to colleagues who have less pressured roles but on my return one of the identified colleagues was on leave and another off sick so manager said work would be moved to them when they are both back in.

I am off now and GP gave me note for 4 weeks because I was in a bit of a state in the surgery and basically just sobbed. She said she thinks anti-depressants might help and I need to think about that.

I will get some sick pay as I haven't used the full year entitlement with the 3 week absence. The main priority for me at present is to feel ok again and then I can start to think about what is the next step.

Thanks for messages