NHS & work related stress

[BluesandClues]

I work in maternity within the NHS. The staffing situation has got ridiculous of late, and all our shifts are short. The workload hasn’t changed, if anything it feels like it’s got more ridiculous.

I’m so stressed at the moment, dreading going into work. I’ve been really reflecting on it, and I know the current state of my stress levels isn’t a reflection on me. It’s a reflection on the current unsafe conditions.

My question is this, if someone is off because it’s so horrid then sickness comes up, what recourse does that person have? It seems unfair to penalise someone if work conditions are continually horrid. The issue is constantly being raised, but it feels like nothing gets done.

I’m obviously considering my options. But wanted a bit more general input.

What do you mean? You can get signed off for work related stress by your GP and then when you return adjustments should be made to try and mitigate the stressor; in this case though its not reasonable for them to magic more staff out of thin air so I expect if it continues to be unmanageable and you have a tonne of time off (ie months and months) occupational health would get involved and could determine the job not suitable for you. You're subject to the same absence rules though regarding sick pay and triggers etc even if it is due to the environment, its wrong but invariably the advice would be to leave if its not something you can cope with anymore hence all of the people leaving which makes things worse (but that's not your responsibility).

Personally I'd get signed off for say 2 weeks and go from there. Things aren't going to get better and certainly not in the short term. Maybe consider going bank?

When I say recourse, I meant it seems unfair to put someone on a performance thing for sickness for something that isn’t actually their fault. Doesn’t work have some responsibility to maintain a safe working environment?

I did actually ask to not work in one of the area for a few weeks to give me a break. My request was turned down. I suspect because others are having the same problems as I am.

I think the issue is that for every person with genuine work related stress like yourself, there are many more than just use that as a reason to be off as they think there wont be any repercussions in terms of warnings etc.

It’s so annoying, I work hard, I’m good at my job. But why is the onus on me when the environment so incredibly overstretched.

I’m gonna sit on this for a few days, talk to my boss and go from there.

Thank you for your advice. X

I quit earlier this year and now work locum. Earn more, paid direct from trust so keeping my NHS pension which was what keeping me in permanent role.

I felt guilty as seemed like such a waste of money. But now have found take I would consider going to permanently as they are managed differently.

I have had 3 episodes of work related mental ill health and stress leave in my nursing career (twenty years). I was signed off each time. It took at least two weeks for me to calm down the physical symptoms like palpitations. I never got a phased return but my colleagues have had.
I think you just know when you are burnt out. It’s a really horrible feeling. I would have triggered some kind of management sickness policy but as it was the only episode of sickness nothing much happened. It’s worse to have lots of small absences isn’t it than say 2 weeks off in three months.
Hope you feel better soon. In the mean time try and look after yourself. Sleep lots of you can, get some exercise and daylight, see people on your days off.

Sending you good wishes. Don’t have much advice, but perhaps look at other job options. With the nhs, I think things like staffing are unlikely to improve. Perhaps look at other hospital or community placements or locum for a while?