To get signed off sick

[user4327657]

I’m finding work so difficult I’m constantly feeling anxious.
I returned to work 4 months ago after an illness and since then 6 members of staff have left because of how stressful the job is.
I just don’t feel like I am coping, I want to leave too but I need to concentrate on my health before looking for another job 😢

Maybe speak to the GP and see what they think.

Have the six leavers been replaced? Is high turnover and carrying new staff causing some of the stress? Often when new people join there’s a bigger burden on everyone else while the newbies get up to speed. Or is your job inherently stressful?

Have you spoken to your manager about the stress you are under? That would seem to be a first port of call. Have you got any ideas how the workplace or job could be improved to help reduce your level of stress quickly?

If the stress is absolutely unbearable then I guess taking time off with stress is unavoidable but since you’ve already had a period of illness, it is going to appear on your work record and it might put off a future employer. Personally I’d try to fix the situation at work, rather than risk being on statutory sick pay and unable to find a new job.

Was the illness you had MH related ?
Do you feel anxious all the time, or just at work ?

If you're so stressed you sick then you're sick. Yes get signed off. Take a break. Look for another job.

Ask the GP what they think. If ou broke a leg and couldn't work, you wouldn't be asking if that was unreasonable why should mental health be different? Use the time to find a new job.

Or speak to manager about how stressed you are and you are worried the GP is going to sign you off.

Remember that taking a lot of time off sick will influence how any potential employers will view you.

And that if your current employer feels you are no longer able to fulfil the role, you may be made to leave.

Many people find their jobs stressful, but they need the money.

If you’re too unwell to work, yes get signed off sick. If you’re not too unwell to work, maybe see if there’s someone you can speak to about your workload or the expectations being placed on you.

@CustardyCreams

Have the six leavers been replaced? Is high turnover and carrying new staff causing some of the stress? Often when new people join there’s a bigger burden on everyone else while the newbies get up to speed. Or is your job inherently stressful?

Have you spoken to your manager about the stress you are under? That would seem to be a first port of call. Have you got any ideas how the workplace or job could be improved to help reduce your level of stress quickly?

If the stress is absolutely unbearable then I guess taking time off with stress is unavoidable but since you’ve already had a period of illness, it is going to appear on your work record and it might put off a future employer. Personally I’d try to fix the situation at work, rather than risk being on statutory sick pay and unable to find a new job.

People get replaced but it takes a new starter around 6-9 months to train. My main concern is there are two departments, one where you work in a team of around 3 to get the work done and one where you have to work on your own and its a lot more stressful so any new starter can't do that role so I have been told I have to do that role. I get stressed because I am part time, recovering from an illness and I have anxiety about the situation.

@PurpleyBlue

Ask the GP what they think. If ou broke a leg and couldn't work, you wouldn't be asking if that was unreasonable why should mental health be different? Use the time to find a new job.

I feel trapped in my job because of my illness, I'm scared to leave incase I need more treatment which could possibly mean starting a new job and having to go off sick fairly soon after starting.

@DinosaurDiana

Was the illness you had MH related ? Do you feel anxious all the time, or just at work ?

No not MH related, I don't feel anxious all the time, its mostly at work but sometimes at home.

It does sound like you might be taking at least part of the source of stress (your anxiety about the situation) with you if you moved jobs? Is the anxiety very specific to that situation? Some people thrive on working more on their own. Some people would see it as a positive not to be directly in the team dealing with the staff turnover and staff not up to speed (9 months sounds a long time?). What support are you getting now to reduce or manage your anxiety?

Why is the role stressful? Are you expected to deliver full time objectives in part time hours?

@Cocomarine

It does sound like you might be taking at least part of the source of stress (your anxiety about the situation) with you if you moved jobs? Is the anxiety very specific to that situation? Some people thrive on working more on their own. Some people would see it as a positive not to be directly in the team dealing with the staff turnover and staff not up to speed (9 months sounds a long time?). What support are you getting now to reduce or manage your anxiety?

Thats the thing before I was ill I loved working on my own and been in control of my own work and it worked well as I worked full time. Now I work part time it will be more difficult to manage my workload on my own and I would need to be more flexible which is difficult at the moment as I am having not of appointments on my days off.

Trying to reduce the stress at work should be your main aim. Talk to your manager, tell them you are struggling under the pressure and tell them you can't carry on like this as your health is suffering. Think carefully about how you see the next 3 months panning out with regards to your absence record and your MH. If there are no compromises to be made by your manager then it is not a good idea to stay in a job that you know will always be a struggle and your options appear to be a) agree a compromise that works for you - happy days; b) jack the job in and wait until you're in a better place before looking around (how will you explain the employment gap, what reference will you get?) or take a less-stressful job just to keep working; c) go sick (possibly long term) until eventually they let you go. Think of the financial implications of any decision.