OH say not fit for work - what now ?

[vxa2]

I have a history of anxiety and depression and have been struggling at work. I joined a new organisation (public sector) in February and there are a lot of teething problems relating to basic stuff like what exactly we do and how. I could deal with this but I have a very unsupportive, hands off boss who is based in a different office and is incompetent and quite lazy. Above him the next boss is intimidating and bullying and again doesn’t work in the same office. The people I work with are fantastic and we are all very much in it together. We support each other and just get on doing the best we can.

I requested an OH referral after becoming upset in the office and humiliating myself by crying. My boss took ages to arrange it but I had my assessment today. Long and short of it is that the OH Dr has said I am not fit for work.

If I go off sick the problems which have caused so much stress won’t get addressed - it will be a case of out of sight out of mind. I don’t know what to do. Can they make me take time off ? I really feel that if my boss was more supportive and actually did his job and if I had the training I have been asking for since May, things would get better. I’m not sure how to handle this. Work has not seen the OH report yet. I am still working.

OH act in an advisory capacity so they cannot directly block you from coming to work. They may make the recommendation, and equally you may disagree with them.

Are you exhibiting ongoing signs of stress and anxiety that triggered their recommendation? I'm not convinced that one episode of you having a tearful moment gives them sufficient grounds to recommend you aren't fit for work.

I would visit your GP if it all feels overwhelming at the moment and get them to sign you off sick for 10 days (I.e. 2 calendar weeks). That normally gives sufficient time away from the workplace stressors to let the dust settle and clear the mind.

During that time, rest up and also note down the specific issues that are causing you problems, including the delayed training that hasn't helped.

When you return, book time with your manager and talk through the problems and suggest options that would help you. Show them you are back in control.

2 weeks is no longer than a normal holiday, so don't worry about it being "out of sight, out of mind".

in other words, if you take time off, do it on your terms, for the amount of time that's right for you. I've suggested 2 weeks, but if you need more or less, you can decide.

Thank you