Time off with stress teaching

[Anxiousmum94]

Hi, I am a primary teacher and had to take time off with stress from November- January this year. I then did a phased return and have been back to my normal hours since March, which is 3 days per week.

I am going to need to take more stress leave and am wondering if the 100 days full and half pay starts again now (as after April) or if my previous absence will impact this entitlement?

I have been treated appallingly by my school and won’t give details as it will make it clear who I am if anyone from work read this post. I have contacted my union about the current situation. I am genuinely ill and too stressed to work and have been feeling suicidal.

I know I need to find a new job eventually and resign, but i’ve not felt able to do this with how i’m currently feeling.

Hi sorry you are struggling and I hope you get the help you need. It depends what authority you work for but in mine (also teacher) if it is within the same rolling year then yes your previous would count and you will have used some of that up.

Hi @Anxiousmum94 I've been where you are now. Yes, your previous leave would count if it's within the same rolling year. I also wanted to say that I know things are really hard for you right now, but you will come out the other side. I thought that we couldn't manage without my wage and that I couldn't just leave. It turned out that we did manage and I am so much happier now.

Hi, I too have been in your position. I can't advise if sick pay entitlement starts again in April (although I have read somewhere that it does). You can phone your payroll or HR to find out or to just ask how many full days sick pay you have left. But even if it doesn't reset then, you should still have some more sick days 'left' from the last period of absence. Take them & rest.

The Education Support teacher phone line is good if you want to talk about your situation - I phoned them when I was off. They were very understanding and emotionally supportive but couldn't give any 'magic wand' advice or solutions. It's all confidential, I told them everything that had happened at my school - and they were shocked.

I returned to work after 6 months off, had OH assessment and an RA in place but absolutely nothing changed in my toxic workplace and so I resigned.

Take time off to rest and recuperate and when you feel better, start browsing job adverts just to see what's out there.

I do supply teaching now and whilst it's a struggle at times financially, my mental health is pretty much back to normal now. No job is worth sacrificing your mental health for. Look after yourself