AIBU to worry about taking more time off for my health?

[Chefpig]

I've just been signed off for a few weeks for depression and stress. Some of this is workplace stress, huge anxiety, possibly the peri-menopause and I'm currently on the pathway for a biopsy as something abnormal has been seen on scans. I'm in lots of pain due to a chronic health condition I have and hurt so much when I move. This may be down to peri menopause though or something to do with why I'm having the biopsy. Mental health has been extremely poor to the point of suicidal thoughts for the past 18 months.

My friend thinks I need more time off to recuperate, especially my mental health but I feel awful at letting work down. Management think I'm bloody brilliant at my role, and I have been told I'm very well thought of by everyone, especially those at the top, and my manager has said take as long as you need but I also worry about my reputation and being seen as flaky. I was off for a few weeks last year with mental health concerns too.

Sorry you are feeling so low and stressed. If your GP has signed you off for a period of some weeks then surely that will be assessed when that time is drawing to a close? It’s not possible to predict when you’ll be feeling better at this point.

On the whole employers probably prefer one longer sickness episode that multiple short ones so maybe you will need extra time but that’s between you and your doctor.

Take all the time you need. X hope you feel better soon x

There’s only one of you, you need to take proper care of yourself. Take all the time off you need. I’m saying this as someone who is on month 5 of sick leave following 2 surgeries, I intend to take 12 months off. No guilt from me, work will manage just fine without me. I couldn’t give a hit what anyone thinks.

It sounds like you have a lot going on, and your health has to come first. If your manager is telling you to take the time you need, I'd try to believe them. Work can wait, but looking after yourself really can't.

It's worse for work and for you from a HR POV if you go back too soon and then need off again. Take the time you need to get a break and a proper rest and go back when you're actually ready.
Also, as horrible as it is to think, we're all replaceable. There is no job that is worth our mental health.

Thank you everyone. I've requested a further fit note extension from my GP but now I'm really worried my GP will refuse to extend my fit note. My surgery doesn't allow fit note requests in advance of the time needed off which is completely understandable, so I'm waiting for them to come back to me with an extension or not. It's making me even more anxious waiting for it in case the GP refuses me more time off. I can't afford to take it unpaid.

They normally extend the sick note. They tend to send a message saying I’ve extended it till x date, please contact the surgery to discuss further if you need another note, or words to that effect if they have concerns about issuing another one.

Thank you for putting my mind at ease.

I'm really worried about this time off getting me in trouble when I return to work, especially as I had time off last year with depression and anxiety too. I had/have a sick note to cover both periods of sickness but I am so worried I could get in trouble or lose my job upon my return.