To go off sick with stress when I can't really afford it?

[Wagtastic]

Just that.
Been I'm my job 15+ years. Dont really have much time off sick as a rule. Job is stressful and it is getting worse.

I've been off a month already as I've had covid plus 2 weeks annual leave. My anxiety has really shot through the roof. I really want to see the GP and get time off sick for stress. Probably till after Christmas.
I don't feel guilty about this one bit(as far as my job is concerned).

Only issue is financial. I get paid, but will lose lots of extra pay for overtime , which I rely on for Christmas. I have no savings.
DH does have savings and has said basically he will give me what I need/want.

Thing is I would need a LOT.

AIBU to want to have sick leave when I cant afford it?

I feel like going to with work will give me terrible stress.
But being skint will also give me stress!!!

Why would you need to retrain? How do you know you can't get another job with 15 years experience... sell yourself you must be able to do it.

Health is wealth. You don't owe your company any loyalty

I agree. But after years of uni etc I'm done with all of that. I cant be arsed with job interviews and all of that.

Have you told your employer you are stressed? They may be able to help you.. Maybe you should try and find another job.

So you’re going to stay in a job that is chaotic and makes you stressed because you can’t be arsed with job interviews? Do you realize how you sound???

If you are mainly anxious about your job and your job isn't going to change and you are unable to change your attitude to your job or reduce your anxiety then I don't see how just staying off work will help. You get a poor sickness record and the problems are still there in a few weeks.
You need to find a way to be less anxious about your job be it CBT, relaxation therapy reducing your hours, medication, or a different job.

For the sake of your employer get a new job!

Freeloader!!

Why do you need A LOT?

It’s simple- take sometime off for your mental health.
don’t spend More than you can afford at Christmas, use some of your husbands savings to pay down your debt.
think of ways you can stop doing so much overtime- if your debt is really high and unmanageable speak to stepchange

Never, ever put work above your health. Physical or mental. Never feel guilty for it either.

You just want a long holiday including Xmas don't you? You even admit you don't feel unwell.
Your sound like a pisstaker.

You can afford it because you are married and within the couple there is enough money for you to have what you need at this time, and your DH is doing what a decent husband should do in the circumstances (cf a million threads about less than decent husbands and money on here).

You can skip or much reduce Christmas presents by the way and a good few other things too. Many people will be this year anyway and your health is more important.

The question is, what will happen if you don't give yourself a break and get signed off? You may lose your capacity to earn completely and be very unwell indeed.

What do you plan to do to stabilise the situation when on sick leave?

I mean while you are on sick leave. So you can get better work out strategies and get back to work or get a different job?

Can you afford not to take time off? What is the long term impact ?

Freeloader?Hardly. I work my arse off in a job where I'm not valued 😘

Thank you
And thank you to those who value health, including MH, over work.
Particularly in a job where you are (mostly) treated like shit/as a number/undervalued.
I'm not going to look back on my life and say yeah I was a hald worker, but I was run into the ground and my stress levels were through the roof.

Hard worker*

Firstly, some things are more important than money, and health is one of those things.
I know you said work can't help make changes, but could you potentially ask for a referral to your occupational health provider for an assessment? I.e could they discuss maybe a phased return, extra breaks, working from home etc?

I hope you put some effort into using your extended sick leave to address your options. It sounds like you're stressed by your job and as you admit yourself you can't be arsed with even applying for another job/interviews.
Looks like you need a long term solution rather than taking 2 months off with "stress".

Surely you'll be referred to occupational health? You say that there is nothing the employer can do to make things better but risk assessments and a planned return to work with targets relating to preventing a reoccurring episode of sick leave would surely be likely rather than treating sick leave as "a breather".

Agreed!! I'm so glad I'm not her employer.

She needs to get a grip and go find another job. Her colleagues must love her and having to pick up her slack.

Can't be arsed to find a new job? Jog on!!

Just set a limit you can afford for Xmas presents, turn down the overtime and go to bloody work?

Can you afford not to take stress leave? What is life if not worth living?

If you don't feel unwell it seems like you just would prefer not to work for a bit as work is busy and stressful. I would personally be worried that taking time off when not ill could cause more problems. What if you do then get ill? Your sickness record will be shit and you will suffer financially.

I think being off for December will make January really a challenge. As others have said you will feel more financial pressure plus the dread of returning after 8 weeks out.
If you are well enough, could you try going in for a few weeks and see if you feel any better but as others have said don't take on too many extra hours so you have less pressure.
If you feel even worse then obviously see your GP and follow their advice.

I’m confused about why you have personal debt if you have family savings, and wondering how this is contributing to your stress.

Mental health is important - but disliking your job is not the same as being sick.