My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Work

I want to go off sick... what impact can it have on future jobs?

20 replies

Rubyritz · 17/01/2018 22:38

I’m suffering bullying at work. It’s been going on for months.

The manager doesn’t like me... very clear.
I’ve spoken about going to another department and that is not possible. Leaving me no option but to put up and shut up or quit.
I’m looking and interviewing for other jobs currently. So I am in the process of trying to get out.

I dread getting up and I spent the majority of last night crying.

I know I would get signed off by my DR but I’ve never been off with sick before. What are the implications of doing this?

Are new employers put off by this? Would that give them ammunition to get me to resign or sack me? What else can I do. Sad

OP posts:
DailyMailDontStealMyThread · 17/01/2018 22:46

If work is making you feel unwell and stressed than you can speak to your gp and see if they feel you are unfit for work.

Is it a large company with a HR dept? Our references are factual only ie “Daily worked here as a worker between now and then”

No one can make you resign and it takes a long process to dismiss someone especially if your sickness record is low.

How long have you worked there for?

Why do you think your manager doesn’t like you, have you kept some sort of record of issues, is there someone you can confide in?

Rubyritz · 17/01/2018 23:02

Worked there for less than 6 months. No absences.
Came across on another contract so been under the company for 3 years with only 2 absences. Big HR department. Wouldn’t know who to contact.

Comments they have made I.e they don’t think I’m suited for the job, not saying hello or acknowledging I’m there, wil blank me, not include me in discussion. Also I am pulled up for things and other people do the same and yet nothing is done.

I’ve spoken to 2 of my other team and one advice was they obviously have it in for you so your best to look elsewhere.

I feel they are making it difficult on purpose. I spoke about potentially going off sick but was advised by manager not to.

Not sure if I can hack it any more.

OP posts:
DailyMailDontStealMyThread · 17/01/2018 23:21

So 3 years continuous service then?

Have you had any reviews in your new role?

And (sorry for all the questions)

The manger you spoke to about go8ng sick, was that your line manager?

Sounds dodgy and unsupportive in your new role, even if it’s not suitable to me

Greebz · 17/01/2018 23:26

I am sorry you're going through this!! You don't say where you work but are you in a union? I know several people who've found their support invaluable when faced with bullying at work. Good luck Smile

Rubyritz · 18/01/2018 07:11

Yes am in a union. Not spoken to them about this yet but have used them for other things in the past.

Yes was line manager I spoke to about the possibility of going off sick. Advised me not to. Even though I know legally they cannot stop me.

My concern is going off sick the impact it will have on my job applications and references. I have good reason for going off sick and can’t say too much on here without it possibly outing me.

I just don’t want job offers withdrawn due to the fact of poor attendance or having time off sick.

OP posts:
2ndSopranos · 18/01/2018 11:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chippyway · 18/01/2018 14:02

I think your biggest mistake here is telling your line manager you were thinking of going off sick. Why on earth did you do that? Confused

They can’t sack you for being off sick but obviously the sickness period can still go against you. If your absence level is low then I’m sure you’ll be fine.

I hurt my back in my previous job and had 3 weeks at one point with a dr’s note. My current employer knows nothing about it. Unless you work for the police/army/nurse etc why would they?

If I was you I would self certificate for a week then visit the dr towards the end of that week to say you’re still not feeling better (with whatever reason you put down on your self certificate).

Unless it’s emergency, most doctors will not give you a sick note until you’ve done a self certificate for a week

Amaried · 18/01/2018 20:04

Be aware though that one of the questions often asked in a reference is about absence rate. I'm not sure I'd risk it. I'd just look elsewhere for a fresh start.

PassTheSatsumas · 19/01/2018 00:28

Sorry to hear about this OP : it's going on at my work too, having consulted a (v good,v expensive) employment solicitor about this - similar comments to you, was told not much of a case ... constructive dismissal is hard to prove, compensation is just got loss of earnings too do not worth it for most

I suggest you look for another job and look into possibly a counsellor to help with the stress/blow to confidence, and consider getting professional help with cv/application/interviews to get you out of there

Really try to avoid being off sick: don't know what work you do, but can you get a break by : walk at lunchtime, working in another area/floor/meeting room/home occasionally (if you have kids could you request flex working for that reason)

Are you the only one being treated like this? It is horrible but seeing it happen to several others in my team has made me feel less alone and realise it's the bully being vile vs me being rubbish that is the problem xx

PassTheSatsumas · 19/01/2018 00:31

If you HAVE to take some time off, can you self cert for flu?

And if you are suffering, would you consider anti-depressants temporarily (e.g. Escitalopram, helps with anxiety): it's not for everyone, hate to suggest it but might help you through til you can get away

Viviennemary · 19/01/2018 00:36

If you are in a Union you must contact them now. If somebody is bullying you then you can take a grievance out against that person. Why should you have to go off sick because of bullies. Get in touch with your Union before you do anything. That would be my advice. It was a mistake telling a manager you were thinking of going off sick so I don't think I'd go for that option.

daisychain01 · 19/01/2018 04:20

Rubyritz I would spend time this weekend putting together some notes about any bullying you've been subjected to, what the situation was, what was said and by whom plus dates and times.

It will help to 'download' for a start, to regain control and also it helps to collect your thoughts about what's been going wrong. Maybe some aspects are things you can retrieve,to try and redress anything your manager isn't happy about, and other things, well you'll just have to let those go.

Sometimes when one's face doesn't fit so to speak, there's little you can do other than having an exit strategy, which you already have.

daisychain01 · 19/01/2018 04:25

As PP have said, planning to go sick isn't a valid option. Your GP may suggest some time away from work as a 'short term fix' treatment option to combat workplace stress.

It probably wasn't the best move to discuss going off sick with your LM because to them, going sick is opting out of the problem. They will always view it negatively. It would have made it more palatable to them to have the professional option of your GP.

daisychain01 · 19/01/2018 04:26

Professional opinion that should say.

hevonbu · 19/01/2018 04:36

Sometimes when one's face doesn't fit so to speak, there's little you can do other than having an exit strategy, which you already have.

Good advice.

Also, you could go and see a counsellor or psychologist or career adviser for a few sessions, it helps a lot to have someone impartial to talk to even if it's only for a few sessions. Since you're in a rush you might want to go privately, assuming there's a long waiting list if you go by way of your GP and they might not even have the right focus, that's to say on career issues. Maybe your union has something or someone on offer? Assuming this is exactly the one situation you should use your union membership for.

Rubyritz · 19/01/2018 19:42

I’ve been recording things since I’ve started so if I this person sent me an email telling me to do something and I’ve noticed they’ve done the same mistake but are to busy correcting me about it’ll the same thing i document it. Sounds petty but it just shows they are always digging at me.

I also document times they say things that are out of order or other times I’m told about things and I’ve noticed others doing the same or worse.

Things got better for abit because I started just complying and stopped fighting against it. They micromanage so the only
Way I realised was to let them take control of everything and it works but little things really gripe me. And then I don’t know how much I can take of it.

As for exit strategy I’m trying but the higher manager does my reference and they have already said they have put on it they don’t think I’m suitable for the role I do due to X Y Z.

So I only imagine if this prospective employer sees that they will not bother employing me. I don’t get it. They don’t want me there but they want to sabotage every chance of me leaving Sad

OP posts:
BakedBeans47 · 19/01/2018 20:06

What’s their policy on references? Many large employers only give dates of employment and job title. A lot of companies are too risk averse to say anything more.

Choccogoingcuckoo · 19/01/2018 20:27

I'd suggest 4 things before going off with work related stress (this would have to be on your sickline to give you an element of protection);

Contact you local union rep.

Raise a formal grievance with HR.

Familiarise yourself with your companies dignity and respect policy which probably states a zero tolerance of bullying and harassment in the workplace.

Keep a diary of times, dates and details and persons involved. If the main culprit is a bit of a sociopath don't hide away the fact you're doing this as it might help stop the unwanted behaviour.

daisychain01 · 20/01/2018 05:39

They don’t want me there but they want to sabotage every chance of me leaving

I would talk to your Union Rep and get them to ensure you receive a bland factual reference with dates of employment and role title which is commonplace nowadays.

Your rep needs to call them on their behaviour and ensure they behave professionally.

dotdotdotmustdash · 23/01/2018 18:20

And if you are suffering, would you consider anti-depressants temporarily (e.g. Escitalopram, helps with anxiety): it's not for everyone, hate to suggest it but might help you through til you can get away

Sorry, but as an ex MH nurse I have to comment on this piece of advice. Escitalopram is a prescription only drug which is prescribed only by a Doctor who is following a set of clinical criteria. Antidepressants aren't given to everyone who feels anxious, and Escicitalopram isn't suitable for everyone who is prescribed an antidepressant.

It's odd advice to give a stranger, even if it was a treatment option that worked for you - it was your choice to take the drug, but it wasn't your choice to be prescribed it.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.