Signed off work with stress

[Fluffybear86]

Hello hope,you're all well. Just a bit of background I'm 28 and a qualified nurse and have been for almost eight years. I'm getting married in September and will ttc straight away. However at present I'm in a mess with work. I started a new job in July and it's just not what I thought it would be- I feel more like a social worker than a nurse, the stress is unbelievable I feel like the flesh in picked off me on a daily basis! I've spoken to me manager on 4 occasions and it came to a head last week and I've been signed off with stress. Obviously I'm getting married soon and want to be in another job by then especially if I get pregnant! I have applied for 14 jobs and have an interview next week but I'm scared that being off with stress may affect my chances? I am not going to tell them I'm off at interview but if I'm offered a job will have to tell hr and I'm scared they may pull job offers because of this! Help anyone got any advice? Thanks xx

Anyone'?

I'm in a similar position. I was ecstatic when I got the interview but now I can't stop worrying about the time off I had last year with stress. The stress I had though was due to my current boss though not my ability to cope with the job so I don't know what to do.

I don't think it will affect your chances. Just apply.

Thanks guys I feel very alone at the mo with all this work crap lol

Have you seen occupational health at work? I'm at the end of a healthcare course, currently signed off with anxiety/depression and OH were lovely. They said when I apply for jobs I should tell them that I've seen them recently, not because it means I'm incapable of doing my job but so they can support me. I think you'll be fine but go and speak to them if you haven't already.

Hi Pandora I'm due to see occupational health on Wednesday. I do have a job interview on Thursday so I'm praying I'm successful and can leave my current job. The notice period is eight weeks though so seems a long wait!

I don't think current employer can reveal your sickness history - its not supposed to be requested as I understood. So I wouldn't suggest you mention it if you require sure it's the current job and unlikely to happen again. Good luck!

I was off with stress for two periods in 2014. When I applied for other jobs I was honest. I used it to demonstrate why I was applying for the role and turned it into a positive. I think you could do this too as you will be applying for roles that are better suited to your skill set. I made it clear I had recovered and knew what has led to the episodes and that this has led me to a greater understanding of the nature of stress and how it effects wellbeing. This is a positive in my line of work as the insight enhances my ability to support others. My new employers were fine with it.

That's helpful thanks. I will not disclose this at interview but if I get the job will liaise with HR. I'm determined in my next role, which is a band lower than my current, I'm not having the p1ss taken out of me basically. I'm too nice and I seem to get overloaded with work as people know I won't say no! I think a change of tac is needed which is going to be hard as it isn't in my character!! Stress!

I left my last job because of WRS and took a lower paid post as I thought it would be less stressful. I was wrong, but I have learnt how to have better boundaries. I am now applying for jobs back on a par with the role that was stressful. Sounds odd I know BUT I have realised that most jobs in my field are stressful and actually I need to manage that. Meanwhile I may as well be paid well, on a scale that reflects my experience and expertise. Like you I need to tackle the reasons why I experience stress as you say, being too nice etc!

Hi thanks for your reply. I've checked my work email and although I'm off I'm still getting mithered with phone calls and emails so there all mine to sort when I get back! It will be like I've never been off. I'm going back to the GP tonight and I'm praying that she will give me another week or two off because I'm not ready to go back x

You need a staged return when you do go back so you can ease in gradually. Your GP can reccomend this. Sounds like you need longer off. I saw a counsellor too ( provided through work scheme) Does your employer have anything like this? It really helped me. Hope you're ok

Hello all. I went back to the Doctor and they signed me off for another month. I went to an interview yesterday but didn't get the job but I'm ok about that. I have two more interviews lined up in May so fingers crossed.mi work for the NHS and I'm willing to drop two bands to reduce the stress! I know some colleagues will have a field day to hear I've dropped down but I need to do what's best for me!

I interviewed for an internal post the week I returned from 2 months off with stress. I was asked very generally about it and I think I said something like there were specific circumstances in my current role that I had found hard to handle (a nightmare boss), that I'd been dealing with OH, had help dealing with it and was confident that while in didnt expect it to, if the circumstance arose again, I was much better placed to handle it and seek help if required. And I got the job!

I saw a counsellor too, through work. It was very helpful, plus I felt it demonstrated a pro-active approach from me in trying to deal with my side of things. Best of luck.

Hello thanks for your responses. I didn't get the Job on Thursday but I'm fine with that. I have another interview in two weeks but everything takes so long in the large company I work for! I have applied for a few fixed term jobs but as after the wedding in September we will be trying for kids straight away mat leave won't be offered on this kind of contract!