Off work due to stress - advice

[Sylvana]

I asked my Manager could I go home today as I wasn't feeling well. The work load is horrific, I am under severe pressure and feeling very stressed about it all. She was very understanding and told me to go home, get well and when I come back we will sit down and will sort the work out.

I am planning to go to the doctor tomorrow to see if he will sign me off for a week or two. He already prescribed me AD's a couple of months ago. I wondering what he will put on my sick note - is it a bad idea to put "stress" as a reason to be off sick from work ? Is there anything else that would cover it but sounds better ?

I'm in the public health sector raspberry.

Yes Billy, a phone call looking for advise/support is a good idea.

I agree with funny 100%.

This is unfortunately a long 'game '. If stress is what you feel now, put stress. It is all paperwork then in your favour later if necessary.

If your manager is decent she will address the issues regardless not because of this one piece of paper. And tbh in public sector I'm not sure of the veracity of saying promotion etc would not occur. From what I have colloquially seen it would have no bearing. Private it might do still.

I'm in the public sector too... Well sort of we were part-privatised. I hope you get your situation resolved ASAP, stress and all that goes with it is no fun for anyone. DD said to me, "I like it when you're not at work mummy, you don't shout as much" almost broke my heart.

Ask for a stress risk assessment. There are team based and individual ones on the HSE website. If there is a decent set of actions committed to from this is should help. The public health sector should be well aware of how stress can manifest itself; and they should be taking their health and safety responsibilities to their staff seriously.

Thanks Llareggub, I will check out the website.

Morning Sylv I hope you are feeling ok today

Morning funny foot, I'm feeling much better today thanks :) I feel much less stressed because I'm not in work.

Don't know if this will help at all but I went to the docs this morning. The woman signed me off for three weeks. She has put on the notes bit "generalised anxiety disorder". She didn't ask what I wanted on it. I've felt ok for the first time in months till yesterday when I thought about having to go back to work. So handing in notice today. Good luck OP.

Thanks for that Wish, very helpful indeed. It's a shame you have to leave your job :(

I was signed off for stress last year. Basically a colleague left and was not replaced leaving me to pick up her work, and when I tried to challenge this my manager verbally abused me in a staff meeting. I actually went to the GP about something else and broke down. My sick note said 'stress related symptoms'. I went to HR with this and they were great. I was also sent to occupational health who were brilliant and got me free counselling. When I went back a mediation meeting was arranged with my manager as well as clear work parameters. Things are now manageable and I enjoy work again.
There is no shame in being signed off with stress and for me it was a turning point in my mental health and my ability to cope with work. I really hope you feel better soon x

Thanks Ivy. Same situation with me really. My job sharer left and they were unable to replace her. I lodged my objection at the time but there wasn't anything they could do. I've managed to do the job myself (just about) but things have been falling down and more work has piled on and it's taking its toll. I also don't think there is any harm in letting my employers know what effect its having on me.