To ask if you have taken time off from work with stress

[ReallyAmAtBreakingPoint]

and, if so, was your career affected by it?

Name changed for this.

I have a professional role in a small organisation. Changes were made to my role earlier in the year. Basically I was demoted to make way for manager's friend I am stressed to breaking point. I was signed off by my doctor last month. I sent my 'sick note' in saying I was unfit for work for 7 days. During that week my manager continually text/emailed me with work related queries and tasks.

I'm now back at work and feel so stressed and anxious that I feel dizzy and unable to focus. My very sympathetic doctor wants me to take more time off but would have to put 'stress' as the cause (last time he was able to fudge it with something vague).

Have any of you (or your family) taken time off with stress and, if so, did it affect your career. I'm worried I'll never be taken seriously at work again. I need to find another job but worried this will be on my work record and affect my prospects.

It must vary from company to company, industry to industry. I was signed off for a total of a month with stress in my last job and they were sympathetic, although I was put on a performance improvement plan when I went back because they felt I wasn't performing to standard before I was signed off (was suffering with stress and depression for a long time before actually being signed off). I wouldn't say it affected my career there long term.

Thanks, Nabootique; glad your career hasn't been harmed.

Anyone else?

I have. I took a grievance out against my manager who treated me unfairly. I had anxiety/panic attacks/depression, you name it.

The best thing I did was take time off work. Your health is more important than your job so please listen to your GP. Looking back now it really made me unwell and I definitely needed the time off.

I got help from GP, CBT counselling and an employment support worker. I came back to my original position with a return to work plan and everything is OK now. More importantly, I feel strong enough to handle things and work with my manager again.

You mention it's a small company but do you have a HR department? It should not affect your career at all and this kind of stuff would never get passed on to another employer.

I have been signed off twice with stress/depression.
The first time was due to being bullied by my manager at work. As soon as I got back I applied for another job with the same company and was successful. But I wouldn't have been able to do that if I hadn't had the time off to get my strength back.
The second time was due to personal circumstances and my boss was very understanding. I met with her regularly during my absence but didn't feel pressured and we agreed a gradual return to work programme when I did go back.
I'm not with that company any more but don't feel it had any impact on my career and no-one knows about it where I work now.
Your health is more important than anything else.

Thanks for replies. No HR department.

So if a potential new employer asks for a reference, could my present company mention my being off sick with stress? Would they be obliged to?

I agree my health is really important but at my age - late 40s - I can't afford to lose my income or make myself less attractive a candidate for a new job. Although at this point my main concern really should be avoiding a nervous breakdown!

To my knowledge, I reference is only to prove that you worked there through whatever time period.

I should think that if you ask for this to remain highly confidential then they cannot divulge this information to anyone, ever.

Am I right MNers?

it is absolutely outrageous that while off sick you are being badgered with work related questions! your GP is right, you need more time off, and as long as the GP says you are ill, there is not a lot they can do about it!

also, look at the ACAS website, there are guidleines there about harrassment/bullying etc, where to go for advice etc.

what does your contract say about how you start a greivance procedure?

I am sorry for you OP, I hope it works out for you!

Thanks

No grievance procedure in contract. It's a firm with about 30 employees and a couple of directors. Honestly, if I started a grievance procedure they would "manage me out".

Stress is partly down to work but also home life. I could cope if it was one or the other but the combination is breaking me.

How about finding a new job and start a fresh elsewhere? Maybe if you join a new company and are surrounded by nicer people you may find it a little less daunting to tackle the home stuff?

Big hugs to you OP

I was signed off with stress for about a month after a series of life changing events coupled with my manager's behaviour to me.

My employer were wonderful and it gave my manger a wake up call. I was allowed a phased return to work. I started off working 1/2 days in a meeting room, then in main office and built up my hours. Luckily I was paid a full wage but depending on company policy, I guess that would be at the discretion of your employer.

Hope you're feeling better soon OP. xx??