Has anyone been signed off work sick?

[abeandhalo]

My boss has made my life so difficult since I've been pregnant that she has pushed me in to a corner where I don't think I have any choice but to go to the doc's tomorrow for stress.

I love my job & the other people I work with, & feel so incredibly guilty about it but her constant barrage of criticism & abuse over the last few weeks has made it unbearable & I can't go on like it for the next 5 months before the baby is born I'll go loopy. I'm a mess every day when I come home.

Even though I know I need to put my health & the baby's first, I am v nervous about going to the doc's. If you've been signed off for stress, how was it going to the GP? Did you get grilled?

I have. I wouldn't go along with some unethical practices in my newish workplace (a school). The HT told me I should 'have a rest' while Estyn were in (Wales equiv of Ofsted, with advance notice). My mum was terminally ill and I knew I couldn't go back. No resistance from my GP who was totally understanding, as were occupational health.

I was signed off my job as a teacher for about 4 months last academic year, my GP was really understanding, it got to the point where I was so stressed I couldn't stop crying. I did feel a bit guilty, but my boss basically made my position there unbearable.
I've a new job now and so much happier.
Work did get an occupational therapist to call and discuss why I was off, she was really sympathetic and supportive too.

Given that you enjoy your work could you not make a complaint against your boss?

Thanks all, as it's not even 3am & I'm up you can probably tell I'm quite worried about it all.

Unfortunately she is about as high as it gets in the company, only the MD is above her. I have told my direct manager & she is going to call me in the morning she seems understanding & maybe she will be able to talk to the MD but the person bullying me is v powerful in the company so not sure what difference it will make.

Good luck, it's a horrible thing to go through, look after yourself. I'm now in a new job, and my new manager thinks I'm doing a great job, I'm enjoying work for the first time in years, but last year was really really awful, my self esteem took a huge knock.

Your doctor should be supportive, I hope you get the help you need in that regard. The problem at work won't just disappear however, unfortunately. What kind of HR department does your organisation have?

Unfortunately it's a director who is causing this stress & our HR dept is v much run for the benefit of the directors so it wouldn't really help.

I've taken a few days off & my line manager has been v supportive & we've agreed I'll come back next week after a break & hopefully we can do something about the situation.