Work attendance

[gymandgin]

Hey all

I'm worried about my attendance at work. I work full time 8-5. I've had a total of 15 sick days this year. I have struggled with both my physical and mental health this year - I always feel run down and have had tonsillitis, flu and have terrible periods - this is hopefully sorted now but I had a few days off due to period issues. I've also had a couple of days off for mental health problems (although I did not tell work this reason). I've run out of annual leave and have taken a few days unpaid, which as far as I know is ok.

What are people's thoughts on this? Has anyone had an attendance warning? This is causing me additional stress which obviously isn't helping my mental health!!

To clarify: you have used up your whole annual leave entitlement (assume about 5 weeks for a FT worker?) PLUS 3 working weeks of sickness, PLUS extra unpaid days?

I'm sorry to say that IS a lot of time off work(notwithstanding the fact the AL may not have been sickness). Have you thought about approaching your work proactively to discuss any occupational health assistance or mental health support they may be able to offer you?

On the basis it is always better to bring it up in a positive, "let's fix this!" mindset than wait round for HR to "catch" you.

I get 18 days annual leave to take throughout the year (we also get Christmas off).

Yes, I know it's a lot of time off work. Two of the unpaid leave days were for an anxiety management cause (I didn't tell my boss about this, I just took them as leave).

I want to be able to discuss all this with my boss, but I work in the construction industry, mental health is not talked about (and if it is mentioned, people snigger/laugh) - therefore I don't feel particularly comfortable discussing my issues.

I have some close links to that industry though family.

You're right it is difficult, but I have also seen some great strides being made very recently. I suspect you would get a much better reaction than you fear, if you approach it on a one to one basis (not the same as stupid messing about in a group).

I'm sorry to say that you need to make a choice:

1. Front up with it and have the conversation (I suggest asking on here for tips on how to handle/position/suggestions for positive strategies they can implement)
2. Ignore it and spend your days worrying that it will come back to bite you. Which will be even more detrimental to your health a syou have already found.

Fear of the unknown is often worse than the actual thing.

Deep breaths. You can do this.

Google some of the larger firms policies on this/trade news articles etc and use them as a resource/info/basis of ideas for your employer and as ideas to help you as well.

Considering the fact your employer doesnt know your absences are due to MH then I think they've been very relaxed, my employer allows 3 periods of absence in 12 months before a warning is given and we can't use annual holiday or take time off unpaid to cover sickness.
I think you'll need to be honest with them before you run out of time and options.