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Original poster

How much leave do you take - burnout question

41 replies

CurlewShirley · 15/10/2021 10:22

I’m really burnt out at work and trying to break down how I got here and a plan of how not to get to this point again. I feel like my lack of leave might be a big factor so it would be good to ask for other’s opinions.

I had one week in late March and one week last week. I am covering for a colleague off long term sick (4 months) where the workload was already too much for 2. She also harassed and bullied me but this was swept under a rug.

Anyway, I have been suffering quite bad stress symptoms, racing heart, no sleep, forgetting what I’m doing/saying, no life work balance as I am the last to leave every night (supposed to finish at 5:30pm)

I’m exhausted. How much leave does everyone else take to counter stress or just in general? I get roughly 5 and a half weeks. Thanks.

OP posts:

123forestisme · 15/10/2021 11:08

I don't get paid leave (consultant) and for the first 2 years of the job I took 4 days one year and 5 days the next + bank holidays. I was exhausted, constantly sick, anxious and generally just completely burnt out. I have now learn my lesson. There is no point whatsoever working yourself to death.
but you need to figure out what works for you, pp have suggested taking some fridays and having long weekends this might work great for you. For me it doesn't work though because I can't properly switch off instead I do much better taking me leave in chunks. I usually try to take a week mid year in June and 2 weeks over Christmas leaving me with an additional week which I use up throughout the year as odd days for things like weddings, or trips to see friends and family etc.

RedMarauder · 15/10/2021 11:18

Someone sent me this link the other day - mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/

In answer to your original question a couple of people I know who were burnt out where given 6 months paid off work and another was given 9 months off unpaid. That was to prevent them suing their employer for causing them a health injury.

Unfortunately GPs are use to dealing with people who have mental health issues caused by work including burn out. So if it gets really bad get yourself signed off sick and make sure your GP puts the real reasons why you are burnt out on any sick note they sign for you.

purplesequins · 15/10/2021 11:23

I take all the leave I'm entitled to.
but I also make sure I work my contracted hours and not a second more.
if I'm required to work long one day I make sure to recoup the time another day.

NotMeekNotObedient · 15/10/2021 11:30

I take all my leave, unless I want to carry over until the next year for a particular reason - I.e. to take an extended break, honeymoon or for extra days of 'maternity leave'.

Honestly this job sounds horrible - bullying colleagues, too much work, unable to take leave. Get the GP to sign you off, rest and work on your CV. Seconding the reccomendation to get the GP to state burnout and reasons why so it's in your employee record.

I think it's unreasonable to say you can only take leave in non busy periods when you're always busy. I do understand employers doing this at say Xmas or year end. But this feels different.

Original poster

CurlewShirley · 15/10/2021 11:35

Thanks everyone really helpful, yes it’s always busy and even though I’m running a service alone they always want more, want me to cover more duties, help colleagues off on leave, I’m completely frazzled and actually worried about my mental health.

OP posts:

Original poster

CurlewShirley · 15/10/2021 11:36

And I have been assertive, in the past I have been a people pleaser but I’ve said I can’t fulfill the code of my role so I can’t do anymore but they always want more.

OP posts:

Original poster

CurlewShirley · 15/10/2021 11:36

*core

OP posts:

Helocariad · 15/10/2021 12:01

I've been there @CurlewShirley and I had to learn the hard way that people pleasers get no gratitude generally, they just burn out.
I went off sick for a month, came back and started focusing on the core of my role, within my contracted hours. My default answer to requests from other staff used to be 'yes'. Now it's 'no' unless they give me a good reason AND I can fit it in. I expected a fall out (but didn't care as I'd hit rock bottom).
But you know what? No fallout at all. My performance has improved massively, my confidence has gone up, my latest annual appraisal was very positive. I'm able to switch off from work evenings and weekends (not always but mostly) and I'm working less while being more productive .

Please take your leave and stop covering for others if you can- particularly if it's not reciprocated, because that's the road to burnout. Good luck OP

Original poster

CurlewShirley · 15/10/2021 12:09

Thanks @Helocariad I’m glad I posted, really helpful as that sounds familiar. I did the same last year, I started saying no, a few are disgruntled but I’m sure they’d rather I say no than take it on and make mistakes.

OP posts:

Original poster

CurlewShirley · 15/10/2021 12:11

Yes I’m caring less as I feel near rock bottom, I’ve never known stress like this, it’s as if run out of bandwidth. I’ll be talking to people and forget the thread then panic, or just go blank, it doesn’t sound like much but it’s not me at all. I thought maybe I had dementia symptoms but it resolves out of work. Awful

OP posts:

Original poster

CurlewShirley · 15/10/2021 12:15

Sorry hope I don’t insult anyone saying the dementia comment, just mean that I thought maybe something was going on memory wise

OP posts:

FatBettyintheCoop · 15/10/2021 12:42

You must take some time out and get some counselling to help you learn to value yourself properly.

When I worked in HE, I got 6 weeks AL plus university closures and I always took all my leave every year.

Thankfully, I had an excellent manager who was very supportive of staff taking leave, having proper lunch breaks (he always left the building and went for a walk even if the weather was dodgy), and leaving work on time. He also didn't set meetings up at stupid times unlike a few of his colleagues.

I definitely learnt an awful lot from him!

Helocariad · 15/10/2021 15:14

@FatBettyintheCoop

You must take some time out and get some counselling to help you learn to value yourself properly.

When I worked in HE, I got 6 weeks AL plus university closures and I always took all my leave every year.

I definitely learnt an awful lot from him!

Sounds like a great manager! It takes guts to manage staff in that way I think, as unless you're at the very top of senior management and literally can call the shots, Directors and organisational culture often put pressure on managers to work all hours themselves, so that cascades down to their staff.

Gonnagetgoing · 15/10/2021 15:23

I take all the leave I'm allotted and in the past have even taken unpaid leave if need be. In 2 weeks slots or 1 week.

lljkk · 15/10/2021 15:39

It's hard to explain how... but basically I get paid for more hours than I actually do. It;s not recorded as leave on paper, I am relieved to report I do not donate lots of extra hours.

Steelesauce · 15/10/2021 16:05

I take all my leave. I work shifts and often make them so I get 5/6 days off to give me an extra break (I do my own rota). I'm in a high stress, high pressure job so if you don't take the breaks, it makes you very unwell.

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