Signed off work

And that's the kind of attitude would make me leave your workplace for somewhere employees are valued. I've managed that in my last 2 roles and been promoted twice, alongside dealing with the most fuck awful circumstances and shit beyond my control, that most people have the fortune to avoid.

@Riapia actually I think it was a perfectly reasonable question.

If the OP took, say two weeks off, to sort out personal admin, rest, see her GP and could foresee that would be beneficial to a full return to her duties.

An indeterminate amount of leave with no attempt to manage these issues would be pointless to Op and her employer,

OP, I can speak from experience when I sympathise, but ultimately, you do have some hard decisions to make. They'll be worse if you don't have a job. Please seek professional help and also speak to your employer. They won't want to let you go, and will likely support you if they can see you're also seeking help.

work Has been your one stable try in use it as an escape
the problem with having time off is everything can come crashing down when you stand still if that makes sense

But her employer doesn’t have to care about that, it’s irrelevant to the running of the business & why staff are signed off is neither here nor there to most employers. I have employees & their personal circumstances are irrelevant to me

@Makemyday99 They're entirely relevant to her circumstances for needing time off work.

Bit the post isn’t about the DM & move. The home circumstances are irrelevant to an employer & rightly so in the long term

Is it a two day a week role? If so how do they cover other days? How old are your dc?

Is reducing your hours slightly an option or do you think they'd resent that? Could you afford to?Otherwise just keep focussed on that summer holiday (only a few more weeks?) and look for other jobs. I think resentment is just going to build if you don't. I know if it were me I'd start resenting my employers/colleagues for their unsympathetic views, because it's so unnecessary. When you work somewhere supportive it makes all the difference, and makes you a better, more committed employee for it.

Even working somewhere like ASDA or Tesco where they are family friendly, might be a better option while you're going through all of this. These types of experiences can really take their toll, especially after the event. When everyone thinks you should be okay now, because you out of the situation, that's when your brain starts to process what's happened and you need time and space to do that. You sound like you're doing amazingly well tbh

Have you checked your policy? You may not have a lot of paid sickness with only 6 months service, so that’s another consideration.

Could you potentially request a temporary change in working days so you get two full days off together?

Unfortunately that's life for the majority of us OP

Well it's not though is it. OP has been moved to temp accommodation to escape domestic violence. So no, it's really not life for the majority of us.

Dearie me.

Unfortunately that's life for the majority of us OP. Hopefully it's just a "slump" and you'll pull yourself together and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Hope it gets better sooner rather than later.

What are you hoping the time off will achieve?

FFS Is that a serious question?

Until you get to 2 years then you have very few rights - regardless of whether or not you have passed probation. If you’re well enough to work then you should work. See what other support you can get for weekends and really prioritise that time out of work for your well-being where you can. Sounds like you’ve had a really tough year but you’ve got yourself in a better place now to start to rebuild. Don’t put too much on yourself to do too much at the weekends. Keep it low key and give yourself some breathing space

Op
I think if you can at all, you should suck it up as you have so few rights at only 6 months in.
Sorry op , I know you could use the break but it could end up being more stressful for you in the long term.

Agree with others. I have total sympathy for you but from what you've said it's likely you'll lose your job if you go off sick.

It sounds like you are able to work despite it being tough, so I would carry on for now and try and take leave. If course if you actually aren't able to work you have no choice

Can you use a few days of annual leave?

Are you still on probation? If so, you may be terminated if they think you are not able to do the job.

Can you book a few days leave?

My work take a dim view of those off for me mental health reasons and they have always been managed out and I'm worried my card will be marked

Have you been managed out before?
Or is just what you know about the company?

Good advice above to see if can temporarily reduce hours and looking for a different job if you don't think they'll be supportive. Try to be as positive as you can - show how much you love the job and want to do your best. Do everything you can to show them that you'll be a loyal and long term member of staff if they support you through this. It's a temporary situation. Do they actually know your circumstances? They might be more supportive if they know you are genuinely trying your best. They might be critical of people who go off because of weak reasons. Yours aren't. You're dealing with massive life events and deserve support. Show them you know that.

Gather as much support as you can, counselling, self care - hugely important. Show work you know what to do to look after your mental health and that reduced hours will help you stay healthy. Try to be as helpful as you can to help your colleagues out when you are in work. Let them know you're grateful for their support and that it works both ways.

As far as joint pain is concerned, if you're sitting, try to get up and move around as often as you can. Increase gentle exercise and walking, time outside. I don't know how old you are but have you checked if you are peri-menopausal? Hrt might fix the joint pain.

But if you are too ill to work, you are too ill to work, and carrying on til you break might mean it will take longer to recover. Be kind to yourself and look after your mental health first and foremost. You may need to cut back expenses, but your sanity is worth everything, and you will bounce back. You may also be eligible for top up benefits.