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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To try and get signed off sick at work with stress?

34 replies

BabyImAHeadfcuk · 05/12/2016 18:16

Been in my new job 6 months. For the past 5 months I have suffered a steady decline in mental health. I'm having to work 6 days a week because of the stupid shift pattern. I'm working Christmas Day, Boxing Day and all the days in between with just the odd day off here and there (no more than one in a row, no who together). I'm exhausted. I'm stressed out. My anxiety is through the roof. I've tried the diplomatic approach of asking to reduce my hours or asking to be moved to a base closer to home (as I'm driving over 2 hours a day 6 days a week just to get there and back) and they don't want to know.

I have no annual leave until April and the thought of working like this until April without a break actually fills me with panic and despair.

I have been to GP - she believes I am heading towards stress/depression (I have history) and is keeping an eye on it.

I have three job interviews that I can't get to because of this god awful job as they won't let me take any time off at all. Even when my husband got referred to the cancer unit after some dodgy blood test results came back they wouldn't let me take 4 hours off to go with him to the appointment.

AIBU to ask the GP to sign me off sick for the next two weeks? This would also allow me to get to the job interviews.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 05/12/2016 18:18

If you're actually ill then you need to go back to the dr and see what they suggest.

If you're "heading towards" being ill but not actually ill then you need to take annual leave.

Original poster
BabyImAHeadfcuk · 05/12/2016 18:21

I have no annual leave, that's the problem and the GP said I was heading towards being ill 2 weeks ago. Things have declined since then but I've not been back to see her (because I'm constantly at work and can never fit in anything else)

OP posts:
harderandharder2breathe · 05/12/2016 18:21

Yabu to get signed off so you can job hunt

Sick leave is for when you're too sick to work not when you're not happy with your job

JenLindleyShitMom · 05/12/2016 18:22

She can't take annual leave until April.

OP I would go back to manager and be extremely clear that you need to adjust this schedule now or you will Be forced to take sick leave due to stress.

LIZS · 05/12/2016 18:24

You are entitled to specific minimum breaks between shifts. If you are working 6 days a week do you not accrue extra time off in lieu? How much leave have you taken in the 6 months?

rookiemere · 05/12/2016 18:35

I'd be tempted to call in sick for your interviews and see how you get on at them before getting signed off. Not ideal, but they sound like awful employers and you need to get another job before this drags you down.

TwoGunslingers · 05/12/2016 18:39

Your health should come first, but you started The job quite recently, didn't you realise there would be shift patterns? If you're going to go off sick over Christmas I would let them know now since someone will have to cover you. Hope you feel better soon ❤️

Maverickismywingman · 05/12/2016 18:44

I think you need to broach it with your employer and let them know (in confidence) that you have a history of stress and anxiety. Let them know that the current working schedule is not giving you sufficient rest time and you are headed for long term sick leave if it continues.

Don't know if this link applies to you, but could still be useful

www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/overview

rookiemere · 05/12/2016 18:57

Or another option, if you've already got 3 interviews lined up then it sounds like there are a reasonable number of jobs available to you. Could you just resign and call in sick for the interview days whilst working your notice?

I don't normally suggest such things btw, but it seems in your situation if there is an easy way out of it then better to go for that, rather than the long road of trying to make your current situation more tolerable, which your employers already seem very resistant to.

ChicRock · 05/12/2016 19:02

I think you should resign.

lougle · 05/12/2016 19:11

If you've been in your job 6 months, you've accrued 6 months worth of annual leave. Have you used it all?

You're implying that your intention is to be signed off so you're less stressed and, call me cynical, but, I can't see you wanting to return just in time for Christmas, so are you planning to be signed off until New Year?

You must have known that it is an hour's commute before you took the job? I think you need to either find a way to cope with it or resign, because if your struggle started within a month of starting, it isn't the job for you.

ukpor · 05/12/2016 19:18

I totally sympathize with you. But would advise you to look after yourself. Put in writing a request for unpaid leave on the basis of family emergency for the interview dates and see how you get on. You can self certify yourself for sickness for I think up to 5 days. Don't get signed off by your GP until you actually need it. They might go to them for references so stay in their good books until you leave.

crashdoll · 05/12/2016 19:25

I have sympathy but have you used your leave already?

crashdoll · 05/12/2016 19:27

Oops posted too soon. If you're prone to stress and ill mental health, then you need to make sure you pace your leave as much as possible. I am, so I'm cautious with mine, saving a bit in case I get all stressed at the end of the rolling year.

Can you take unpaid leave? If you're ill, you're ill but only you can answer that or if you're just heading towards it .

Original poster
BabyImAHeadfcuk · 05/12/2016 19:33

No ive already resigned myself to working Christmas and I intend to honour that. Also, I didn't know it was an hours drive away, when I accepted the job (and handed my notice in on my last job!) they told me I would be based 10 minutes from my home. It was only after I signed my name to it that they decided to move my base.

I don't just want a couple of weeks off for a jolly, I am beginning to feel completely overwhelmed by the shift pattern (another thing that changed after I started) and I honestly don't know how much longer I can cope with it. I have one interview on Wednesday, another two on Monday next week. I am also waiting to hear back from the agency job I applied for. I haven't had a day off sick for years. 6 months into this job I've already had a week off. I can't cope with it. To make it worse, my colleagues are always off sick too so the work is just chaos.

OP posts:
DiegeticMuch · 05/12/2016 19:39

It sounds awful. They don't deserve your loyalty. I'd be inclined to quit immediately, and focus on job hunting. If they insist you work your notice, make sure you prioritise job interviews - if you need to call in sick, so be it.

oldlaundbooth · 05/12/2016 19:42

Call in sick and go to the interviews.

These people do not own you, you need to take control of your own life!

5OBalesofHay · 05/12/2016 20:17

Just be aware that if you go off they will probably sack you as you have no recourse to claims of unfair dismissal.

Notmyweek2 · 05/12/2016 20:24

Don't worry about them!

Get signed off and go to the interviews.

All you can't do is work whilst off sick however there's nothing to say you aren't allowed to go to interviews!

Do this for yourself OP! You may even decide it's not worth going back again, don't feel guilty it's their fault for putting so much pressure on you.

Astro55 · 05/12/2016 20:31

You will regret not going to the interviews more than a few days off ill - sounds like you need a break ... And if they won't give you one - take it

RockyBird · 05/12/2016 20:36

Get signed off. You ARE stressed.

Go to the interviews.

Any company that won't let you off to attend a partner's finding out whether they have cancer appointment deserves no loyalty.

Ladybirdbookworm · 05/12/2016 21:05

Phone in sick and get a sick note from your GP in the mean time.
I wouldn't ask for a reduction in working hours just try and get out of there as soon as you can.
It sounds dreadful - if your colleagues also have a poor attendance record that rings alarm bells regarding working conditions .

IonaNE · 05/12/2016 21:16

OP, I would not advise to go off sick and then go to interviews.
A friend of mine interviewed for a job and at the interview she was asked the following question: "If we phone your workplace, where will they say you are?". To which my friend replied: "On annual leave", as it was true.

If you go off sick and go to an interview, it can be (gross) misconduct (depending on company policy), and you can be sacked for it; it will also get on your references. If you get the new job, your current company's first question will be "when did you attend an interview?". At which point it will all come out, you can be sacked and the new job offer can also be withdrawn (as you have clearly lied to one employer).

As someone has said: can you not take unpaid leave?

haveacupoftea · 05/12/2016 21:46

I think you should just resign.

Babyroobs · 05/12/2016 21:55

It's ok people telling op to resign but it's not that simple is it if you rely on a full time wage coming in. Many people live pay cheque to pay cheque. Op are you a Nurse? If so it can take ages to take up another post even if you were successfull at your first interviews. I have had Nurse colleagues recently where it has taken a good couple of months for referneces to be chased/ checks to be done etc.

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