Work Stress

[mollyhoooper]

Hi, I'm a pathologist working in the hospital morgue but due to a new supervisor, my shifts have been ridiculous for about a month now. I've had to look after everyone else's workload and I'm really not coping. Rarely sleeping, eating's the same. Would I be able to apply for some time off due to stress?

Unless your trust has a policy where you can apply for time off for stress, its going to be sick leave.

You dont need to apply for it. Go to a doctors and talk it through and see if they will sign you off.

Get signed off sick. Are you in a Union. It does sound as if work are putting an unreasonable burden on you.

EDIT

I'm working under the NHS! They do have Acts but I'm just hesitant to inform my employer of my wish. How long would I be able to get off?

How long would I be able to get off?

Basic questions like this are almost impossible to answer reliably. It depends on your Trust’s Policy for sickness absence.

Your new supervisor has a duty of care to you. It would be best to get your GP to sign you off as unfit for work first and then provide the Work Fit Note to your supervisor, and get them to clarify your sickness entitlement.

I would suggest your starting point is making it very clear to your employer how you are feeling and give them the opportunity to do something about it asap, if they fail in this essential duty of care towards you then any sickness is caused by them and not you! It is always best to resolve it without sickness as once you go off it is really hard to come back again, you generally feel worse, worry about coming back etc however of course if you are that unwell sometimes this is the only option.

Taking tine off is a short term measure. I agree with PP that you should talk to your supervisor. If you get signed off, it might be hard for you to return to work again as nothing will have changed. Maybe talk to your supervisors, highlight your concerns. Put in place some changes and you may wish to take some time off just to get a break and recover. Then you can implement the changes with your supervisor on your return.