signed off - can i return to work

[tempchange9]

Summary and named change for obvious reasons.

Hate my workplace, my LN is an ambitious slave driver, Multi academy trust and all those values of work us until we crack. Broke down after student complained about me, left work in tears. They actively get students to performance review us - like a sanctioned rate my teachers. We even get star rated by the pupils on our availability, subject knowledge, timeliness of marking, setting of work on the google classroom etc.
GP did phone consultation and signed me off immediately for a month.

I have already resigned and am working my ridiculously long notice - they will not let me go earlier. I almost begged them too - but replacing me is a faff too far.

Problem is, new post has not yet got my reference and my contract not issued. they are definitely offering me job as things stand, they are understaffed and very laid back about paperwork. Really don't want to jeopardise new contract by being off for ages and labelled as a dodgy employee.

Rather than tell work I've been signed off for a month, I took a few days off as normal self cert sick to buy some time. No idea what to do now. I know I should suck it up and just go in for a few days until half-term but the thought of going in and dealing with the complaint, the bloody student themselves too, just brings me out in a cold sweat and my anxiety is through the roof.

Can I even return as I've been signed off - work have not had the GP note yet.

MN always gives great advice - what do I do?

I wouldn't go back and make myself ill for the sake of a job I've already resigned from. Can you pressure them to get your reference done?

Also why are you assuming the new employer will think you're flakey? Presumably it's also in education and they're not unaware of the pressures that some badly run MATs put on teachers?

They might be perfectly understanding that you've taken time off because of an intolerable situation and admire that you've had the sense to look for, and be appointed, a new role somewhere else.

I've chased the reference a couple of times already. They are down 1 of 2 staff and just seem to be in no hurry at all. My current head knows the head of new post and has already chatted to him. It's all very cliquey.

I wish I could be more detached from it. I resigned in March FFS. Appreciate you posting, my head going around in circles endlessly.

I would go in to avoid them disclosing the sick leave (and it being triggered by perceived performance issues). GPs have told me that you can work if signed off, if you feel well enough.

"My current head knows the head of new post and has already chatted to him. It's all very cliquey."

I would keep applying to jobs too.

Sounds awful my sister was basically bullied out of her teaching job last year after 25 years
She's got a new job still connected to education but indirectly and had to take a pay cut but is a lot happier

I agree - my head knows this is the right thing to do for me. My guts seem to be fighting my good sense.

Part of me actually hopes that it all blows up and I have an excuse to be unemployable as a teacher so I can bloody leave. It would be a financial problem, but I could survive on a NMW job. Doable but not easy. On what planet should employers be actively soliciting star ratings of their teachers every few months, lesson obs are twice weekly and couched as supportive and developmental. They're not. I've been teaching nearly 25 years, just allow me to be a respected professional who works hard and stop stressing me out. Our head of professional development and CPD has precisely 4 years classroom experience and no longer teaches. It's hard not to angry and stressed by so much micro managing and extra time spent on acing the next OFSTED visit.

They shouldn't mention time off sick on reference, only after you've got it can your new employer ask in relation to how best to support you.