Being signed off before I leave

[Stressedoutteacher45]

I need some unbiased opinions please. For context I have been in this job for 5 years including 1 year maternity. I have never felt like this before, even with similar classes etc. I have a good work ethic and I'm not one to slack off.

I've returned from maternity leave having been made redundant from my HOD job whilst off (loophole legality, I've checked with unions).
We have a new SLT (almost all are new, including exec principal, principal and VP) who are awful. A few weeks back I took a day off as my daughter was rushed to hospital by ambulance. When I called to say I wouldn't be in the next day they told me to arrange other childcare. Not once did they ask if she or I were ok.

My timetable is fully loaded with a third of my hours consisting of age groups and subjects I am not qualified to teach (think not even having a GCSE in these subjects).

I have a new job waiting for January, they wanted me to start sooner but my SLT won't release me from my contract. I will be leaving at Christmas but the job is making me physically and mentally ill. I've had 2 asthma attacks since returning when I've not had an attack in years. I spend every Sunday in tears, terrified of returning. I can't keep up with my exam classes because of the other groups that need so much more. I had PND whilst off and CBT really helped but applying those principles isn't scratching the surface of how this is making me feel.

Would I be unreasonable to get signed off for stress in a couple of weeks? I have signed a contract at my new school so I don't think it would impact that but could it have other long term effects on my career?

Hopeful bump, anyone please?

I'd say yes because it sounds like staying could have long term impacts on your mental health. Even if not all the way to Christmas just a few weeks respite.

Thank you, I just don't know how I will do it. I've never taken time off work unless I was seriously ill but I'm struggling to cope. We have no HR department any more so there's no one I can talk to about this. I'd feel so guilty about leaving my exam classes.

Your health is more important FULL STOP.

please get signed off. By continuing you will become ill.

DD has a cough and a fever. I've started coughing too which I imagine will turn into a chest infection. If so I might be able to get a couple of days out of it but I'm terrified of calling in sick. We have to call the VP as there's no HR, he's horrible. I'm always made to feel as though I'm slacking when there's nothing I'd love more than to have a full timetable of A level classes.

Whoops NC fail.

Yes, get signed off. Sod them! Your health is more important as well as your daughter.
Hope you’re all feeling better soon.

Go to your GP, get signed off - the new job is in the bag, you owe the old job nothing. They are treating you badly and absolutely not getting the best out of you. I was signed off for 6 months with depression and stress (built up over a few years, but bullying new head tipped me over into a breakdown), I felt guilty for my class, my colleagues, my school generally ; but they all survived (colleagues lovely and supportive) and I left. You are worth so much more than this - no job is ever worth this.

Absolutely get out of there immediately! Can't believe you're even debating it. You owe them nothing and they sound horrendous. Take some time to get over it all before you start your lovely new job.

I would absolutely advise you to take the time off, you need to be in the right place to put your best foot forward when starting your new job

Thank you all so much for replying, you're all so lovely. I tried to talk to my gp today but couldn't get an appointment. I'll try again tomorrow. I had an asthma attack today after picking my daughter up. I had to call someone from work to sit with us because I was scared to be alone.

So sorry you’re unwell op. Take care of yourself

I went in today and by the end of registration I felt awful. The VP told me I couldn't go home because they had no one to cover my lessons. A friend offered and they called me a taxi. My GP called an ambulance and it's looking like I have viral meningitis. They actually weren't gonna let me go. When I get released I'm gonna ask the hospital to sign me off for 4 weeks at least. I want to be able to tell my a level groups that I'm leaving myself.

Gosh you poor thing.
I was going to say get signed off anyway but definitely you should now .
Just return to say goodbye and don't feel obliged to do any planning or assessing. Soon you'll be in your new job and can put it all behind you.
Get well soon x

Oh you poor thing! Get well soon, and stay off as long as you can xx

Hope you’re feeling improved op and that you’ve got a certificate.

Thank you for your lovely messages. Turns out it wasn't meningitis but I have a very nasty case of pneumonia. I'll be in hospital until next week at least. Still not heard a peep from SLT, not even an email to ask if I'm alright. I'll be talking to my union and putting a case forward against them. I'm not being taken for a fool any more.

Glad it wasn't meningitis but still bad you need to be in hospital. Absolutely take it further!

WTAF?
GP note until 31st December then -full pay.
Get medical evidence and statement from friend who covers.

Threaten them with a claim against them for stress if they don't back down.

The friend who covered for me had his own upsets with the school so I know he's got my back 100% and I'm not letting this quit. Regardless of how ill this has made me, we have kids at school who are immunocomprimised and had I been near them this would have killed them. No matter what the situation keeping me there I couldn't live with that on my conscience. I doubt they've followed the infectious diseases protocols. There are many other things I will be taking to the union but are quite outing so won't mention them on here but I reckon I've got a good case.

OP I really feel for you. You've been put through the mill. I hope you recover quickly but under no circumstances should you go back to that job. I would say goodbye to trusted colleagues privately, but do not go in person. Your mental and physical health needs are far more important. Your dc needs you to be a happy and healthy mummy and you need time to get into the right headspace for your new post. Your gp will support you and ensure that you can protect yourself by signing you off in the meantime. I am so glad you are managing to escape this toxic environment. I've been there myself OP, twenty years ago. The best thing I ever did was to escape. I'm still teaching today - however the school closed down. Good luck and feel better fast 

Thank you, you're so right. I'm looking back at a week ago wondering how I was considering putting myself through it for 7 more weeks. It's not worth it. It's having such an effect on my DD, if I manage to be discharged early next week we'll have had a week apart, minus the odd hour visit. That's just not healthy. I'm looking forward to going to a job where I can work hard and have things done correctly.