Considering signing off sick

[TheMumEdit]

Been with employer 20 years and never had sick apart from a few days when I was pregnant. The last 5 years have been tough, family deaths, child with a serious illness and caring for elderly mum. I also have a health condition which doesn’t stop me working but my day would be a lot easier if my employer put some support in place.

It's been a year since the support was requested and I’ve still not got it as my manager says he’s too busy. In all the 5 years I’ve pushed through . I’m on holiday this week and feel broke. I feel I need time to recover from all that’s happened with some time to myself. I can’t sleep for worry about how I’ll cope when I’m back. I love my job but feels so overwhelmed.
Am I selfish considering asking my Dr to sign me off? I can take a week off self cert but feels I need more time. How do you even ask a Dr to sign you off? Do you just ask for a sick note?

Why? Are people not expected to be sick?

You can send certify for a week, as you say, and you don’t know how you’ll feel in a week. How long are you wanting to have off?

Not sure what you’re on about here.

OP absolutely do go off sick if you’re feeling this way. You’ll need to self certify for 7 calendar days before you get a sick note (or rather fit note as they’re called).

If the support you’re asking for is reasonable then it’s not ok that your manager isn’t doing it. Do you have HR? You really need to speak to them.

As to how you ask them, you tell them you are not well enough to work and why.

I’m not looking for a long time off. A few weeks but my Dr apps are 3 week wait so I guess I’d need to make my appointment now. I could cancel if I didnt need it. My boss is quite intimidating so I feel I need a Dr to confirm I’m not well.

I do have HR but my manager doesn’t like us contacting them direct and being on his wrong side isn’t good.

Call the surgery and explain that you need a fit note. The receptionist will be able to either request this for you or arrange a telephone appt.

This is an employment tribunal waiting to happen. Please make a list of absolutely everything he’s said and done, with dates. And then contact HR!

Self certify for 7 days, in the meantime call your GP and request a FIT note.

You tell your GP exactly what you have put here, they will be very used to it.

Your mental health is so important, don't neglect it...I say this as someone who did and got very ill.

Best wishes