Need a break from work. Is this OK?

[Illbefinejustbloodyfine]

I'll try to keep it brief. I have a lot going on. Mid divorce from controlling, coercive husband. Separated several years, never had the strength to go through with it. Its taking its toll, he continues to be obstructive abd harasses me.

Work - public sector with chaotic service users. Chronically short staffed. Full time case load on half time hours. Stressful, brought up many times that I'm struggling to keep up, no response really. The last 4 weeks have been awful. Ex really ramping up harassment. Service user died. Multiple cases of domestic violence (which I found very very difficult. "Triggering" for want of a better word).

I am anxious, nauseous, upset stomach
Tearful - crying a lot. Can't get to sleep. Can't wake up. Headache. Struggle to concentrate/remember things.

I've been off a week (work have NOT been in any way supportive). I really can't face tomorrow. I feel like I should be able to deal with it but also just really need a break

Do I just ask tye GP to sign me off? What if they won't? Should I just "get a grip" and go in?

That definitely won't help with your recovery.

You need to be left alone for a bit now to concentrate on your well-being. Could you email your manager to say you need some 'no contact from work' time for the duration of your fit note?

You're medically unfit for work, so people shouldn't be contacting you about work at all.

It’s the first rule in the first aid courses we have to keep going to (also public sector) isn’t it - are you safe to go in? You’re not useful to the person with a broken leg if your leg has fallen off.

Take the time. You sound like you really need to do it. Public service has been sustained for years now by the personal sacrifices made by the people least able to ride it out. It must stop and people will only get round to understanding this when they’ve broken too many good people.

@Clarice99 it's the "policy" that we have to speak to a manager each day. I've also had calls telling me I'm expected to call the employee wellbeing helpline. I have to. I dont think I need to now I'm signed off.

@MurdoMunro my LA are very late to the party and are frantically trying to catch on to "wellbeing in the workplace" but it's all for show and pretty meaningless.

pfft. The ones that have been tooting their ‘wellbeing’ policies for a longer time haven’t actually done anything more than what you’re getting, they just toss glitter around and expect us to say thank you. Loada bollocks. All of it.

Look at your mental health. Look at the resources you have. Look at your service users and tell me they are getting even the bare minimum of what they need. Stick that up your well-being policy eh

OP, bless you. I’ve been in a similar situation, right now you’re overwhelmed and exhausted. If it helps write down everything and hand it to your GP when you have your face to face appointment. I was in such a state when I saw my GP that I could barely string a sentence together. This will pass. Take care x

I think that’ sounds like good advice from @Middlemarch123 to write it down in bullet points so you can read it or even just pass it to the GP.

You need to just breathe and put you first right now, I've been here and you need to request a note to be off right now, work can't do anything, you need
to deal With the situation at home for now, work will be there in a month or so. Please put yourself first.

@Illbefinejustbloodyfine Sorry you're feeling the pressure but good to see you are now signed off.

I'm in a similar situation; am divorcing awful husband - (are we married to the same man?!) & my job is stressful too. I've decided to speak to my GP tomorrow, as feel at the end of my tether, can't carry on like this. I feel like this every Sunday, thinking about work but today is far worse than usual. 😭

I also have DC & elderly high needs parents in the mix. 😟

Hopefully my GP will agree to sign me off. It will give me some breathing space.

I hope you're soon feeling better.

Hey @Illbefinejustbloodyfine how's it going? I am signed off for a fortnight too, just can't stop sleeping. 🫤

The husband is still being a dick but one thing at a time, hey? 😁

Op, i was going to ask if you are working in probation, bur i saw another colleague asked the same question.
so glad you got signed off for a while . Now I need to take my own advice as your post was too close to home x

@SundayDreadDay Hope you're doing OK abd getting a bit of relief being off. I'm ok, finding it very strange though and feel like I'm "wasting" my days lolling about doing nothing.

@wizzywig a good proportion of my cases are under probation, or social services. Did you speak to your GP?

@Illbefinejustbloodyfine (eek no!!!) I'm thinking maybe I can get through tomorrow xxx

@Illbefinejustbloodyfine I'm ok thanks, still sleeping a lot, what about you, are you back at work yet? Do you feel better for being off?

I'm toying with the idea of going part time, not sure that would be any less stressful though.

Apart from one good friend, I don't really have anyone to sound off to, I keep up a good act but inside I am screaming. 🫤