I've been having a tough time in work combined with issues with my manager for a while which ultimately lead to me breaking down in tears in the office yesterday (surprised it hadn't happened sooner). I'm usually someone who is quite practical about things but this time everything is just too much for me to cope with.
I managed to get an appointment with doctor last night who has signed me off for two weeks under "stress and anxiety". I've called in sick this morning and had a call back from my manager saying she will be doing a welfare visit within the week either with me in the office or at my home.
My issue is I don't think I am in the right place at the moment to have this meeting, any mention of work and I'm back in tears/palpitations. The doctor advised to take at least one week trying not to think about work and then when I feel ready to start slowly looking at practical ways to fix the problems.
So I need to understand:
- can they insist on a meeting if I'm signed off?
- if I decline can they still turn up? It wasn't described as if I had a choice in the matter
Has anyone been through similar, it seems excessive to want to come out in the first week off, my intention is to get myself together as soon as I can and get back to work. I don't plan or want to be off on long term sickness.