Can I apply & interview for new jobs while off sick

[UnhappyJob]

I'm at my wits' end. I've worked at the same very large firm for over a decade and I think I've reached the end of the road. I hate my role and my manager is ineffective and unhelpful. I'm going round in circles over what I have to do, failing with no support and feeling worse and worse about myself with every passing day. I know I need to leave and find a new job but I'm not in the right frame of mind.

A colleague friend has pointed out its not right nor normal to be in tears every day about work and many people would have been at the doctors to be signed off sick well before now.

She pointed out we have a good sick pay policy (full pay) and I shouldn't be afraid to use it for mental health reasons if I need to.

But could I actually apply for jobs? Potentially even interview? That doesn't sit comfortably with me, but I have no idea what else to do. I just can't carry on like this. My performance is dropping by the day, I'm a crap mum and wife and I've lost my spark. All that keeps me going is the idea of one day being able to resign but I can't work out how to make it happen and just get in more of a slump.

Yes. I did. My Dr agreed to keep me signed off until I got a new job, didn't take long 😄

Yes you can. I am a senior manager and would not want one of my team to make themselves so ill working for me.

Being too unwell for work doesn’t mean that you are too unwell for the whole of your life and if obtaining a new job will improve your mental health then you should crack on with finding one whilst you are off work receiving treatment for your current illness.

If you feel uncomfortable about any of this (and really you shouldn’t and there is no need to do so) then when you get your next job offer, you could offer to resign from your current role with immediate effect rather than having them pay you sick pay throughout your notice period. But you don’t have to do that either!

Thank you both. That's reassuring.

A job interview lasts an hour max. A working day can be anything from 4-8 hours usually. So I'd say someone who is too sick to work is still perfectly fine doing interviews as they are a very short bit of work if that makes sense.

I think you might be looking at the interview process as something that if you’re well enough to attend, then you should be well enough to go to work. I think you should start looking at it as part of the treatment to get your mental health back up to where it needs to be. This job is only going to make you feel worse and worse. Your colleague friend is absolutely right. Good luck!

If you are being signed off with workplace stress then it would absolutely make sense to be working to solve that issue- in the form of finding a less stressful work environment so yes I would be signed off. ultimately it sounds as if it is only a matter of time before you will be unable to work.

Yes. And if you are signed off for a long time tour doctor may encourage you to do so

Only thing to bear in mind is if new position ask former employer about your sickness absence record.

The sickness record thing has occurred to me, I'd have to find a way to explain it in a professional and positive way but frankly whenever other directors ask me for things or tell me to get support from my boss, they can't even recall who my boss is. Then when I say they just rolling their eyes with a knowing shrug. It's a fucking joke that this is the person who manages me. Until this manager was appointed from a different assignment, I liked what I did. That's what's makes it harder, I've been around so long there aren't really any other assignments which would inspire me.

Not the same, but I'm currently signed off while working my notice, due to start another role at the end of the month. I'm just relieved my current place of work has such a generous sick leave policy, so I can get my head together for my new role instead of being on the verge of a breakdown before starting.

Sometimes life is just reality difficult; take the soft landings where you find them.

I work in HR. Many companies these days provide factual, objective references only with just dates worked and position held and so it’s unlikely they will know about your sickness record (unless you are public sector, in which case it is often shared).

I would half expect people who are in your position to be looking for other jobs and, if we couldn’t work with the manager to improve the situation, would not judge you at all for seeking alternative employment. Life is too short to be in a job you hate, you don’t owe them anything and you need to look after yourself.

I did OP. I was signed off sick with work-related stress and figured realistically the solution to getting me off sick leave quickly and back into the workforce was having a different job.

I feel like this post is speaking to me. I am absolutely miserable in my job. A career I worked so hard for and was so enthusiastic about but have become so disillusioned with and think the profession and corporate world is just not for me anymore. But I feel stuck. I work part time to balance the juggle of childcare and costs. I don’t know how to get out. I’m in tears almost every day and was even checked over in hospital as what they concluded must be anxiety was given me heart pains. I’ve been fearful of getting signed off as terrified of the workload i’ll come back to. Management never follow through with their promises of support either physically in terms of admin or wellbeing. It all feels like ticking a box.

@GlobetrottingPercy Yes, I think that's all my employer would provide. Can an interviewer or application form ask about sickness record. I won't lie, but I don't know if they can ask?

Oh @arl0627 I know what you mean. But I am shocked by your symptoms and reading that say you must change something.

I know what it's like, to a point; I feel completely trapped. If it wasn't for kids/bills/mortgage I'd take the plunge to start again. I have savings to cover a few months, and if it weren't for wanting them for my kids future needs, I'd spend them on taking a chance. But I don't think I can.

I should be in bed by now, but once I go to bed, then tomorrow will come. If I stay up, somehow it's delaying tomorrow. (Even though I.l be tired which will be worse)