Scheduling sick leave

[hellohihellou]

Has anyone done this before? I’ve been struggling with my mental health for some time at work. Since early summer I’ve been holding it together and trying to manage. But I think it’s doing more harm than good. I’m in a constant state of anxiety during the working day and sometimes into the evening and weekends as a I dread coming into work. I’m also not the most productive as I sometimes get into freeze mode and can only do what is immediately required and me and time sensitive. Lots of procrastination going on.

I’m thinking of getting signed off after the Christmas holidays. I feel like my mind and body needs a break, and I don’t want to get to breaking point. Grinning and bearing it isn’t exactly working for me, as I’m still here months later. I’ve been in therapy and starting EMDR soon. I would have been off ages ago if I didn’t feel so much guilt about taking time off and stepping away and worrying about what people might think.

not sure why I’m asking, I suppose I’m wondering if I’m scheduling it and timing it means maybe what I’m experiencing is not all that bad?

You need to put your mental health first. If I were you, I'd take time off now to give yourself some breathing space. Once you start feeling better you can think about what you need to do going forward. Don't feel guilty, you need to take care of yourself and never mind what anyone else thinks.

In my case I left it too late and I properly crashed, it was an awful time. I was signed off for a couple of months, by which time I'd realised I couldn't go back as even though I was feeling better, I knew the stressful working conditions weren't going to change. I had counselling, which helped a lot. When I felt ready I started job hunting, and two years on I'm much happier and my mental health is so much better. I don't have that Sunday evening dread any more, thank God.

I found it really helpful - there's no way counselling would have been sufficient on its own for me. I know everyone's different, but it's definitely worth trying sooner rather than later, and one doesn't work you can always try another version.

I did it. Got three weeks extra study leave for my exams. Not sorry either

Thank you, it’s helpful to understand it from this perspective too

Please do not listen to those who are saying because you can ‘think ahead’ it’s not that bad.

If you feel you’re not coping, go to your GP and tell them what you’re experiencing. You shouldn’t be waiting unti you’re at complete crisis point - that could possibly result in a cascade of things you do not want to experience (I work in mental health) and could make recovery a much longer project. Going forward, is it possible for you to talk to your manager about what is happening at work and how it’s afffecting your mental health? They have a duty of care

No, annual leave is not for illness, and work related stress making someone so anxious that they’re pumped full of stress hormones most of the day on most days of the week is illness.

I did this time last year and had several weeks off over Xmas.

did me the world of good

If you're unsure go and see your GP / mental health clinician and discuss with them - let the decision be theirs, they can think about pros and cons with you.