AIBU to take time off work because I'm feeling stressed

FFSitsonlyMonday · 2021-10-20T05:03:04+00:00

I don't know how bad things need to be before you take time off. I am managing my work badly, emails not replied to, work submitted late. Partly this is due to being short staffed/others sick but also because I am tired. I have no idea how much is physical tiredness and how much is emotional. I am close to tears at times.

DoItAfraid · 20/10/2021 06:04

I would definitely encourage you to take some time off if you can. Sounds like you are burnt out.

rrhuth · 20/10/2021 06:05

If you are stressed, you should speak to your manager as a first step. But if you feel you need to, you absolutely can phone in sick. Being close to tears is not fine.

notHarris · 20/10/2021 06:08

If you do decide to take some time off, will this help in the long run or will you be back to square one as soon as you return?

If you're really struggling then yes you may need time off but you also need to try to get to the root cause and make things better for the future.

DDivaStar · 20/10/2021 06:19

If your struggling of course.

However if it is the volume of work would it be getter to.discuss your workload with your manager ? See if you can hand over some or put something on hold til its more manageable. Time off might not help if you're worrying about what's piling up in your inbox while you're off.

I hope you can get something sorted.

AliceinBorderland · 20/10/2021 06:22

Will taking time off help though? Would you be better off receiving support to help you cope whilst at work.

I say this because one of my colleagues has been signed off sick with stress and we are having to cover some of her work. The issues and mistakes being uncovered on her files whilst she is not here is problematic.

If she was here and working we wouldn't have found out. I'm not sure if there will be sanctions when she is back. If she could have kept going she could have addressed it with support as my employer is supportive.

You can always ask for help if you're struggling and consult with colleagues.

Is there anything that would be uncovered whilst you're not there I'd say don't do it.

Original poster

FFSitsonlyMonday · 20/10/2021 06:29

Yes that's a good point about things uncovered whilst I'm not there to deal with them. I will try talk to my line manager but every time I think about that I decide just to plough on rather than do it. What I really need is time away from my main work to catch up on admin. And then a few days off when it isn't school holidays (I never have enough have for that though!).

OP posts:

stayathomer · 20/10/2021 06:43

You definitely sound like you need a rest so definitely organise some time off or a little break

Original poster

FFSitsonlyMonday · 20/10/2021 06:54

Im getting ready for work because its easier to keep going than the fuss of saying something. Which is silly because that would be better than sick leave.

OP posts:

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 20/10/2021 07:11

How long has this been going on for?

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 20/10/2021 07:11

@FFSitsonlyMonday

Yes that's a good point about things uncovered whilst I'm not there to deal with them. I will try talk to my line manager but every time I think about that I decide just to plough on rather than do it. What I really need is time away from my main work to catch up on admin. And then a few days off when it isn't school holidays (I never have enough have for that though!).

This sounds like you need to book annual leave

AutumnLeafy · 20/10/2021 07:13

Have you got any annual leave left to take? I think that would be a good first step.

Longdistance · 20/10/2021 07:17

Go to your Gp and get signed off for stress. It was a real help for me when I got two weeks off work.
Maybe look for another job whilst you’re off or reevaluate your job.

Tomatalillo · 20/10/2021 07:21

I think have a couple of sick days off to have a complete rest and recover, then make some time to think of ways that might improve the work situation.

You won’t be able to think straight while you are so exhausted so it ends up being harmful to your health and counter productive with work. You'll be more constructive and positive when talking to managers and colleagues if you aren’t wrung out.

ZenNudist · 20/10/2021 07:52

Have you tried to deal with your work rather than going off? Or have you already approached your manager, said "I'm not coping" and explained what needs to be done and what you have time to do and what extra time you need to do your job.

If they are ignoring you and letting you sink and you feel ill then you could take time off but it would be a last resort.

Taking time off will just make it worse. Dealing with the problem first would be the grown up solution.

DillonPanthersTexas · 20/10/2021 07:56

I took some time off over the summer due to stress. This was th first time in a 25 year plus career that I had felt compelled to do this. Basically during the last lockdown the company started to take the piss with regards to workloads and not adequately resourcing projects. There was a mission creep from normal core hours to longer work days and at times weekend work. After several months of this I basically broke, it was too much and I had a moment when driving into work where I realised I did not have to do this and things need to change. Told my manager I was not doing it anymore, I guess I was prepared to accept that I might lose my job bit they luckily reacted in a positive fashion and sent me home that day. We had a pretty frank chat and I laid some fairly strong allegations at them with regards to work culture and piss taking. I have since gone back and things are better but I am still looking for a new job.

PennyWus · 20/10/2021 08:28

Goodness speak to your manager first! This is what your manager is employed to do!

Be factual but talk candidly about how you feel and the effect it is having on you.

If the stress is all from work, then you need definitely need management help at work, and a good manager will step in and help you prioritise, fight fires, organise workload,
take workload off you, look at what's not working efficiently and help you do the essential 80% and not worry about perfecting everything, or whatever . You can ask your manager for help in all these areas, especially if absence in the team is making your job harder. Your manager should aslo provide moral support

If you have a crap manager, who doesnt help, then go sick

WTFCanIDoAboutThis · 20/10/2021 08:43

@FFSitsonlyMonday

Im getting ready for work because its easier to keep going than the fuss of saying something. Which is silly because that would be better than sick leave.

This isn't good OP. How supportive is your employer? Workplace Wellbeing is my job and burnout is a real thing. Don't ignore the signs as things are unlikely to improve if you just soldier on. Call in sick and visit your GP.

Original poster

FFSitsonlyMonday · 20/10/2021 11:56

Manager supportive in theory, employee counseling etc available, but understaffed in a stressful role so only so much can be fixed. The staffing is being addressed. The tiredness isn't all work either. But time off work for tiredness doesn't seem reasonable either.

OP posts:

savagebaggagemaster · 20/10/2021 12:02

What else is behind the tiredness?

Original poster

FFSitsonlyMonday · 20/10/2021 12:27

A bit run down physically - low iron, taking supplements, not sleeping well (age?!)..... and general busy life.

OP posts:

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 20/10/2021 16:07

Op
You have a busy life.

You have a lot of personal admin you want to sort
And work is hectic

This is not grounds for being signed off on sick leave, as unlikely the above features of your life are going to change any time soon.

You need to book annual leave to sort our personal admin

And you need to explain to work that the situation is very difficult and you need changes to be made. ASAP. In writing so there’s a thread

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 20/10/2021 16:07

@FFSitsonlyMonday

Manager supportive in theory, employee counseling etc available, but understaffed in a stressful role so only so much can be fixed. The staffing is being addressed. The tiredness isn't all work either. But time off work for tiredness doesn't seem reasonable either.

It isn’t So book annual leave

floofycroissant · 20/10/2021 16:11

Book annual leave, get some distance then make a plan to talk to your manager. I would also consider talking to your Dr, I was in a similar situation, had lots of tests and one major factor was a massive Vitamin D deficit. Didn't solve everything but getting on a high dose daily vitamin made a positive difference in just a few weeks.

Original poster

FFSitsonlyMonday · 20/10/2021 17:06

You have a lot of personal admin you want to sort I meant work admin in that I need more time in the office. I did actually manage to catch up a bit today which feels a bit better.
floofy I had weekly vitamin D for a while that did seem to help a bit but I think I'm probably still anemic based on tiredness. I could pretty much cry with tiredness at any point today.

OP posts:

WTFCanIDoAboutThis · 21/10/2021 09:34

Workload and low staff levels are undoubtedly adding to your tiredness. There is never one single reason for burnout. Don't second guess the reason for needing time off. Let your GP decide whether it's worthy of being signed off.