To call in sick

[oopsididitagainn]

I hate my job.

It gives me stress and anxiety like nothing I've ever experienced but I stay because it pays well, I can wfh and therefore juggle work life balance as a mum of a 3 and 4 year old, and last but not least - I have unfortunately not managed to find another job that pays as well and is as flexible.

We have a big project for a high profile client that goes live this week - I've been on annual leave for the last 10 days (pre booked prior to even being successful in winning said project) and now I just cannot face going back.

I know calling in sick is frowned upon especially on return from AL - but I just can't face the stress that I will inevitably face on my return.

AIBU?

But whenever you return you're going to face this, and the longer you wait likely the worse it will be. Can you not speak to your manager about getting a perm fix put in place to what is upsetting you?

I completely understand where you are coming from. I get it.

Just be aware that sickness just before a go live or a known stressful/increased workload period is seen as notable when it comes to sickness triggering and management.

But if it's only this time, you'll probably be fine. I certainly wouldn't blame you. However, you are likely to get replies from those who will be horrified and say you are all sorts of things for even considering it. But you sound burnt out to me.

If stress and anxiety is making you ill, call in sick. However I would actually try and address with your GP as being signed off does kick the can down the road a little bit. I’ve been there, I had horrible anxiety that gave me agoraphobia until I was able to get to the GP and actually get some medication which helped me address some of the issues. Hope it gets better for you.

Sounds like you're suffering with stress/anxiety. I feel exactly the same most days at work too, it's an awful feeling.

If it's getting too much, call the doctor and they will probably sign you off sick. I had to do this for a couple of months last year and it did me the world of good.

Yes agree with @Penguinmouse
think part of anxiety, is beating yourself up over things and in turn it’s putting more pressure on you.Make an appointment with GP, then phone in sick (don’t be fobbed of with you have to wait 2/3 weeks for an appointment) You need to see a GP as soon as possible, so you can decide whether it’s some form of medication, or some sort of therapy, to address ways of coping with anxiety.
Feeling unsure of what to do, will be making your anxiety worse, once you’ve made a decision, that’s right for you, it will take some of the pressure off.

Yabvu. Letting your colleagues and client down

Of course YABU

While I do sympathise, you're enjoying the benefits of a flexible job that pays well.

Therefore you're going to have to woman up and do that job, until you can find another one.

It's not fair on others and I'm sure you know that.

It’s always hard going back after a long time off, leave or otherwise. You’ll be putting off the inevitable and likely feel more anxious if you have to return when the project is underway.

My advice would be go back after your leave and let your manager know how you’re feeling and if there’s anything that can be put in place to help you manage, if it doesn’t work perhaps then you could go off sick if it’s getting too much.

With the job search, you might have to compromise on the pay or flexibility a bit as your mental health is worth more than money.

YABU. This is normal life stress not stress as a mental illness. You need to go into work. Then you need to take a new job and a pay cut. Life is too short to make yourself unhappy for work.

I feel for OP, because unfortunately she’s going to see some of these responses.She doesn’t need to be guilt tripped.
She has asked the question but ultimately it’s her decision.Could you, be anymore sarcastic!

I have no idea why you think anyone on a chat forum wouldn't want to read the responses to the thread they wanted to start?

My reply couldn't be any further from sarcasm if I tried?

I'm not sure if you're new to internet forums but your reply to me, and your previous one to another poster (which I've reported), comes across as very odd indeed.

Sounds like you are in a job that isn't right for you at the moment and you need to find some way of leaving asap. You could phone in sick for a few days, but it won't solve anything long term. Could you accept that a new, less stressful, more pleasant job may not be as well paid and flexible, and just find ways of living with that? If you insist on waiting for something equally well paid and convenient before leaving,you may be there forever. Good luck.

You apparently sympathise, that OP enjoys the benefits of having a well paid flexible job!
Isn’t this sarcasm? Why do you sympathise,
to then go to say, woman up and if she doesn’t, do her job she isn’t being fair!
Why would anyone, who had posted a question want to read the reply you gave, because ultimately, all this is doing is guilt tripping.
No l’m not an expert on these forums, clearly.
if l don’t understand the subject matter, or have anything of value to offer, to a question, l won’t bother commenting.
Good for you, for reporting, have a lovely day.

YABU. You're just postponing the inevitable, and it will be even harder to look for another job if you have a poor sick leave record.
Also, you would be lying!

FFS read it properly, you're just making yourself look silly now.

Clearly I sympathise with the OP not wanting to go to work.

But that is blatantly obvious to everyone except you it would seem.

Going off sick is not really a solution unless you are looking at changing jobs. You are likely to feel worse about returning the longer you have off.

You are best going to work and having a chat with your manager and HR about extra support.

I can’t make it any clearer to you, l’ve already responded to your last comment, which no doubt you tried to report again because you disagree.Once again have a lovely day.

OP, it doesn't sound like it's just stress and anxiety. It sounds like burnout.

Let's not pretend you care about the sort of day I'm having 🤣🤣

I reported your earlier post because bizarrely, you chose to simply type 'troll', after another poster gave a perfectly reasonable reply to the OP.

I'm not really sure what your game is here, but you're certainly not helping the OP, so I'm going to ignore your pigtail pulling now.

I think that must have been the reply to me; I didn't see it, only that it had been deleted.
Thank you for reporting!

Please see your GP. Mine was great and got me back on track. I did have meds which after three weeks started to kick in.

Hello again 😂 👋

Some of the comments on here are so patronising, apparently you’d be lying, letting people down, you need to woman up.
unfortunately this is what happens all the time on this forum people who haven’t got anything better to do than use this as a way to berate.
If you’re not able to cope with the presentation call in sick and speak to your doctor doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.