To ring in sick

[Burntout12]

Hi

what do you all do when your just done. I’m not sick. I’m never sick actually. I don’t normally have time off work. I have had 1 day off in 3 years at my last job but I started a new job 10 weeks ago. At my new job I have worked overtime every week and I have in my opinion worked really hard to prove myself, supporting others, picking up extra work, always being available etc.

I’m just fed up today, I can’t concentrate on work. I feel tired of life. My mental health is on the floor.
I don’t get paid if I’m off which is an extra pressure and my work won’t get covered so it will pile up for tomorrow.
I’m behind on some pieces of work (which is normal and everyone is) which makes me feel like I should just push on.

I just can’t pull myself together today. I’m sat at my desk trying to motivate myself but struggling. I have reached out to family but no one can do anything and I don’t feel able to reach out at work being so new. Plus there is nothing they can do. It’s a combination of personal circumstances and a stressful job, plus a busy time of year. I know I’m not the only one feeling like this because colleagues have told me they feel the same but I’m so done today. I can usually just paint on a smile and push through but today I can’t.

I need rest and reset and peace.

what do you guys do when your having these days? Give me some tips.

thanks

I know how you feel, OP.

You have a very good record of absence. It's OK to ring in sick.

But in your position (which I've experienced many times) I would think about whether it will help, what will you do if you take the day off? There is no point if you're only going to spend the day feeling guilty about it and return tomorrow feeling just as bad.

If you're going to do it, do it properly, have today and tomorrow off sick, do something really positive for your mental health over the next few days/ weekend, with the aim to returning refreshed on Monday.

In your position being new to the job, although I hate to lie, I'd probably just say it was a migraine or something.

Calling in sick within 3 months of starting a job is risky. Why are you working such long hours/taking on so much. Can you say you are owed TOIL to compensate for the extra hours you've worked? Have you been paid for overtime? Is it compulsory?

@showersandsun thank you. Yes your right if I take the day off il probably just sit scrolling online feeling sorry for myself.
I might aim to finish early instead and plan some rest this weekend.

@NashvilleQueen Unfortunately overtime is standard in my industry. I have been paid for it but it’s not optional. It’s up to me if I’m paid or get toil. I do a bit of both but never get time to take toil to be honest.
I know what you mean about ringing in under 3 months. I’m reluctant for that reason. I’m entitled to unpaid carers leave though so might use that.

Op doesn't have a good record of absence though?
She had a good record with her last job but the new job won't know or care about that. All they will see is someone who calls in sick within their first few months which most people try to avoid if at all possible. 10 weeks isn't enough time to really build up a good reputation of otherwise working hard.

So sorry I would try to avoid taking sick leave unless absolutely necessary. Particularly as you won't get paid and the work will still be there. If you'll be coming back to it anyway will you even be able to relax or switch off much?

Can you book a long weekend instead so you have time off without the guilt and while getting paid? Even if its in a few weeks it's something to look forward too. And I would make sure you mention to your manager that you are struggling -they might not be able to do anything but they should really be supporting new staff not giving them an unmanageable workload immediately, so if you do keep having issues at least you can say "I did tell x this during my one to ones on x, y, and z dates but nothing was put in place to help."

If you've got toil accrued I would absolutely take that...if the company allow you to accrue toil but not to use it that's a huge red flag!

You are sick? Sickness includes mental health, and it seems like your mental health needs a break to regenerate.

I do hope we move away from this idea that unless you're at death's door, you're well enough to work. We're people, not just workers, and we must remember that in this awful capitalist society that puts business needs above all others.

This is what annual leave is for, surely.

And stop the overtime.

@GetOffTheRoof unfortunately I can’t stop overtime it’s pretty much mandatory.

Thanks everyone. I’m just trying to push through.

@Idrinklotsofcoffee your right. Why do we feel so guilty about this.

The work load for my whole industry is unmanageable at the moment.

Why haven’t you had annual leave?! One day off in 3 years?!

Cancel all your plans for the weekend and chill and reset, hope things improve for you soon! I feel the same so I have booked a day off today to get done rest and do find things for me xx

She's had one sick day off in 3 years.

My work role sounds very similar to yours (in that overtime isn't paid but is kind of unofficially expected to meet the needs of the business).

If I was feeling like you are, I would tell my line manager and phone in "sick" but be honest that it's the workload etc that has led to me needing time off. I know my employer well having been with them a long time and I know that they would not only support me in taking time off, but then work hard to readdress my workload to avoid it happening again. I appreciate however you don't know your employer well yet.

Do you have an HR or line manager you could bring this up with. Even if you phone in sick with a migraine or something for today.. but then next week say "I am worried that my workload is making me feel unwell.. can we do something to address this please to avoid me falling ill". A job that expects overtime etc is fine but it has to be sustainable otherwise you will ultimately just end up going on long term sick or quitting.. which doesn't help your employer at all. It should be in their interest too to avoid that happening.

@imjusthereforAIBU thank you. It won’t surprise you to hear that we have an exceptionally high number of staff off on long term sick. The whole sector is on its knees.

Just call in sick. You don't owe them your soul.

If a day off is what you need for your own mental health then absolutely take it. Your mental and physical well-being is more important than your job.

Yeah they should be supporting you and the remainder of staff who are not yet ill to remain well! You phoning in sick today should be a warning for them....! Have you phoned in sick by the way?

Been there

As you have already made it into the office, see how you go today. Take a step back and go slower. Get yourself a nice lunch. If you still feel shit this afternoon, then call it.
If you power through, then decide tonight that you will call in sick tomorrow and plan something that will make you feel a bit more reset - go for a swim, a nice walk, a duvet day.

Mental health is JUST AS important as physical health.

Also, if you work record sickness in terms of number of absences, than I always abide by a two day rule - pointless having one day blot the year, may as well make it two!

You could try cutting yourself some intentional slack. Think about what you should be able to get done this afternoon working normally, consider that if you were off ill that you wouldn't be doing any of it, and then split the difference. That means you'll be aiming for something achievable, and when it's done you can congratulate yourself on having done more than if you'd had the day off.

Push through the day. Any chance of taking tomorrow as holiday?

Thanks everyone.

I stayed because someone in my team is off sick today and now possibly tomorrow. I’m covering tomorrow now so can’t be off. It’s too late notice to take a days leave tomorrow anyway. Ah well. I’m taking it easy at work and I’m taking this afternoon a warning to put more boundaries in place.