What to put on self-certified sick note?

[MyrtlethePurpleTurtle]

I am at the end of my tether at work - persistent overwork now for many years (which only accelerated during pandemic).

I desperately need a breathing space before I ‘pop’ / have mental health issues and therefore think I’m going to have to sign myself off sick for a week pending ‘seeing’ a GP and thinking about where I go from here.

Anyone any ideas for what to put on a sick note ?

I really really don’t want to put ‘work stress’ or other mental health related stuff but equally don’t want to make up something fanciful like Covid or which can easily be disproved.

I agree with the ones we say pretend you've got a physical illness ( I mean just until you can get a doctor to sign you off on the real reason)

I think that don't take you seriously if you ring up with the real reason yourself (different if it's on a sick note from a doctor)
But just my experience

Thank you all. I appreciate your responses. Makes me feel a little less alone

Because putting ‘stress’’ down likely means I will be managed out (and not on my own terms). My employer has something close to zero tolerance of work-related stress

But what will happen then once you put your sick line in and its for stress

"A medical condition"? Can you really be compelled to share your medical details? Not in the uk but that's what docs here always write on sick notes .

Thanks again to all for your thoughts.

I managed to speak with a GP in my local surgery (a feat in itself securing an appointment!).

She understood the need not to put a stress / mental health-related reason on a sick note and has instead signed me off for a chunk of time for a (largely unrelated) physical condition. She said not to self certify for the first x7 days but to go straight to a GP sick note.

This gives me some breathing space

(PS I will be signed off for x6 weeks)

But surely that doesn't enable / encourage your employer to address the underlying issue? I've always been honest about workplace stress, as it helps the employer understand that I cannot return without changes being made to the work situation (as opposed to a physical illness that will resolve without work's involvement).

@JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue

But surely that doesn't enable / encourage your employer to address the underlying issue? I've always been honest about workplace stress, as it helps the employer understand that I cannot return without changes being made to the work situation (as opposed to a physical illness that will resolve without work's involvement).

Employer has done - and will continue to do - nothing about workload. It is a high pressured City environment and those who have documented’stress’ sick notes get managed out. It is what it is.

Being signed off for x6 weeks gives me some breathing space to take stock and manage my departure on my own terms . (Because realistically that’s the only option)

That makes me feel sad Myrtle. I also work in a high pressured City job, but at my firm anyone with stress gets nothing but support and whatever time they need to make a full recovery. Sorry that your employer is such a shit - I hope that when you feel well enough, you find a suitable role elsewhere with an employer who cares about their staff

Don’t put stress - it can affect future applications eg life insurance which ask if you’ve had more than 1 day off work for XYZ. Wish I had known this. Put chest infection or ear infection or similar

Quick update: signed off now for x6 weeks for (unrelated) physical medical condition.

Cannot begin to describe the relief - like I can breathe again

I hope this is the start of your health improving, OP.