I work for a small company.
In 2020 I was off work for mental health issues following a significant bereavement.
I had never had a day sick before and was surprised when I was paid to get ssp.
I was off for two months, but I would of, should have taken longer. I wasn't well on my return but couldn't afford to stay off longer.
I also worked all through being sick, because I enjoy my job I was still doing bits, probably for 1/3 of my paid hours. But that's not really relevant to the issue. I just feel a fool now. My manager is in her 70's and didn't support me. Told me church was the answer to my mental health crisis.
So flash forward 2 years, I got out of the toxic workplace, but a friend still there is off sick and has been told he will get 3 months at full pay before ssp. I asked him for policy, and he sent it, it was agreed in 2019 by the directors and as I'd been there over 3 years I was entitled to 6 months full pay.
What do I do now? I'm still pissed at how little they supported me! And how they knew I was struggling on ssp!!