To have just ‘taken a day’ today?

[BasinHaircut]

I called in sick today. Not because I actually feel ill, but for reasons I can’t explain just felt like I needed a day off from life.

I have done some work so as not to have to play catch up tomorrow with emails and the like, but otherwise I’ve essentially pulled a sickie (and I feel guilty about it).

I have a husband and a 5yo son and so taking a ‘day off’ at the weekend isn’t an option IYSWIM. And I feel like there is so much to do day to day that sometimes it’s overwhelming.

Now I think about it I could have taken a day’s annual leave but this morning when I just didn’t want to engage in life I didn’t think of that, I thought a sick day was my only option.

Do I sound like I’m going bananas?

I used to find going to work was a me-day as it got me away from the house and kids! Now I'm an SAHM I can only dream of being able to say, sod it, today is all about meeeee! Let the kids all look after themselves. If they were at school I can imagine it would be tempting to have a nice quiet day at home on your own.

Smile. Think that’s the point...most people don’t just take to their beds at the first sign of a virus (sniffle, bit of a headache, slight sore throat).

Look at it the same way as going to bed at the first sign of a virus rather than struggling on. You are dealing with your health

I’m amazed half of mumsnet actually holds down a job

Dorsetdays unless I’ve read it wrong the OP stated in her post at 21.12 that she couldn’t face life today. That’s what my post was in response to.

Agree

Sorry agree with Joyce.

Joyce. I imagine they manage to hang onto their jobs because they’re being covered by the other half of us who actually go into work when we’re expected to!

Isn’t this what holidays are for?

You are NBU ... I have literally never done this but actually am thinking there are times when it would have been pretty sensible once in a while. I think of the times Ive been overwhelmed,/stressed and under the weather, there have definitely been days at work when I would have better taking a day 'out' to reset. If you had gone into work how productive/useful would you actually have been feeling the way you did? We're not robots and need to get better at working smarter - being productive at work is not the same as being present there.

Smile. You don’t need to take to your bed to avoid spreading minor illnesses.

You could just learn not to sneeze over other people, dispose of tissues hygienically and wash your hands properly and regularly. That’s standard NHS advice to avoid sprrading minor illnesses...not hibernating “just in case”.

Just another excuse to scive off.

Susie. Absolutely....so take a days leave then. That’s what it’s for.

But if you don't hibernate you might develop a full blown cold. Then where would we all be

The problem is with 'Mental Health Days' is that every employee could end up taking 9/10 of them a year . The impact is unsustainable for most teams or departments.

Seriously, who wouldn't want to sack work off and sit on the settee drinking tea and watching homes under the hammer?

As for the poster who's DH took a day off to sleep , go out for lunch and potter about ..that is skiving/pulling a sicky pure and simple.

Let's not be coy about this , if you want to throw s sicky, just do it. Don't use the very serious issue of Mental Health to justify it.

sigh I worked in the mental services for a long time. To all the sarcastic people saying 'but did you phone in and say it was your mental health that was the issue...?' etc. I can tell you exactly why someone would make up having a physical illness, when they actually feel stressed, or at breaking point mentally - it's because there's still a huge stigma around mental ill health. (As evidenced in a lot of this thread!)

It's actually really important for people to learn when a day off because their mental health is suffering, is essential to preventing further mental health deterioration. It absolutely should be ok for for people to call in and say 'I feel very unwell mentally and need a day in bed/a long walk/visit a friend to see how I am.' Unfortunately society (and most employers) doesn't tolerate this, yet!

I am amazed at the responses on this thread - if you are mentally or physically sick then that's what sick leave is for. If you want a day to loll around and chill with no childcare then take a day of annual leave.

You are being paid and this is taking the piss. There is no evidence that taking random days off because you want a day off 'from life' helps at all in the long term. It certainly doesn't help others who maybe more stressed covering your time off.

I'm with the battle-axe get on with it brigade ( as I hope are my children)

...and to all the people saying 'take TOIL/annual leave etc instead - as a doctor told me once, whilst signing me off with stress for two weeks: 'holidays never happen when you need them.'

Maybe the company will but what about your work colleagues who have to cover for you whilst trying to do their own job

Not all jobs need work colleagues to pick up for someone being off.
My job doesn't. I carry case loads so all I would do if I was off is just rearrange appointments. I often have to do that on a day to day basis anyway depending what other stuff is happening so it wouldn't make much difference really. It wouldn't be any different to taking a days TOIL or Al at short notice.

I agree with so many PPs.

I do my catching up at the weekend, with the support of my DH.

I have an autoimmune disease- if I took days off every time I felt a bit under the weather... well, I'm no martyr, I just have responsibilities and work on my personal resilience. I can recommend mindfulness apps as a great place to take time for yourself.

OP mentions she can't take a day off at the weekend - there is a DH problem.

Doris. Not sure anyone’s saying the OP can’t take a day to recharge etc. The issue is that shouldn’t be taken as a sick day because as the OP stated, she didn’t feel at all unwell. She knows she lied, she said herself she “threw a sickie”

You’re not sick, you just need a day to chill. That’s what annual leave is for.

policeandthieves - actually, there's lots of evidence that taking preventative measures if you are feeling very stressed, helps to stop mental health problems from escalating.

Dorsetdays - sure. see my second point.

Also for those critics of mental health days as it detracts from those with an illness, this is just wrong and shows a lack of understanding of the mental health spectrum in general, like saying don't take time off with a cold, you haven't got pneumonia. Yes but with action you may prevent one from turning into the other! I speak from experience of mental health issues and one thing people with recurring depression are taught to look for is their depression "markers' , the early signs of depression e.g thoughts/energy levels/cutting off from friends, these signal an early alarm. Interesting but self care is a big part of depression prevention and acting early is sensible. Yes there will be piss takers but the OP in no way sounds like one!

Doris. I don’t agree that most people can’t take a days leave at short notice. People have to do it all the time if the car breaks down, their DC are sick or they have an emergency at home.

You ring up your employer, tell the truth and say “I need to take today off as annual leave”.