Stress at work - signed off

[Panda12345]

I’m having a really stressful time at work and am at the point now where, while I want to contribute, I want to be signed off to work from home to just distance myself from my boss. I’m sure my doctor would just sign me off with stress but I don’t really want that. I’m finding now that I’m so swollen all the time (no time to move!) and I’m having increasing nose bleeds. Does anyone know if there is some kind of medical condition I could have put down?

Oh, and I’m 32 weeks pregnant now

I’m not sure but have heard that if it’s anything pregnancy related then you will be told to start maternity leave. I’d book an appointment with your doctor and discuss what can be done to help. Your boss may have to do a risk assessment if you aren’t being given opportunities to move around. Good luck x

they can only force early maternity, within 4 weeks of due date so 36 weeks onwards

If they write anything pregnancy related on a sick note your maternity will automatically start at 36 weeks. Your GP could put work related stress as something unrelated to pregnancy or could just put ‘pregnancy related illness’. It doesn’t have to be a specific thing ... and in fact most of the time their isn’t a specific cause other than simply being pregnant!

Being signed off would mean absolutely no work though. You could ask GP for a note that says adjustments needed but it’s up to your employer to arrange these with you (so may not be what you want). You could also ask about working from home as part of a risk assessment review. That’s if your adamant you still want to work.

Have you seen the midwife about the swelling? That plus nosebleeds would make me want to have my BP checked to rule out pre-eclampsia.

Good luck OP