Scared to take time off

[ZolaE]

I have had a family crisis which absolutely floored me and was in shock. A family member tried to take his own life and I'm struggling. Was signed off work for 2 weeks, barely functioning. Went back to doctors today and he has signed me off for another 2 weeks. Anxious that work will be un unsupportive and I will be treated differently. Have been there 7 years and never been signed off before but there is a culture of fear around being off, management will not reply to emails and ignore you when you're off. Making me even more anxious than before. I know I shouldn't even be worrying about work but can't help it.

Take the time, presumably your go will sign you off after the initial 2 weeks if needed. I would say ignore work, don’t look at your emails, head held high once you go back. I’m sorry for your loss.

Management sort of have to ignore you when you're off. They are not allowed to contact you she. You are off ill

I'm so sorry I hope you can feel something better soon

Do not worry about work right now. They will understand.

So sorry to hear this OP. I've been in a similar situation with a family member, my heart goes out to you.

I would take all the time you need. Management sound unsupportive in your company. I would look for another job.

Management sort of have to ignore you when you're off. They are not allowed to contact you she. You are off ill

Thats not strictly true, it depends on how long you’re off and what for. They should certainly reply to attempts to contact them if only for courtesy’s sake.

@ZolaE do you have a HR contact? You could contact them but four weeks really isn’t that long and I’m not sure what you would be contacting them to say? Do you need to hand anything over or would you like some reassurance about the return to work process?

Try not to fixate on it, you aren’t fit for work and that’s just how it is. If they want to get their arse in the hand it’s their own stress not yours. You’re not doing anything wrong and there is nothing you could have done differently to prevent the situation.

If you need to contact management while you are off I think they should reply. One of my colleagues was off sick from work and she kept in touch with management to let them know how she was doing.

Yanbu for needing time off. If your employer has a shred of decency they will facilitate this regardless of the inconvenience (they don't have to like it but they should not make you feel bad about it).
Hope your relative gets the help they need x