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Original poster

What can I be signed off work with

154 replies

Rosebirdie · 30/10/2022 07:19

I am a teacher and due back at work this week. I had my first child last year and had no intention of returning but did. I don't want to go back, the panic/fear has already set in. I've spent all week sitting down to do planning for this term and just being incredibly unproductive.

The problem is my boss is amazing, she has done so much to make me feel settled,.constant check ins etc. She knows I have been struggling. But it's just not right and hate it every second I am there. I am medicated for anxiety but feel that's not touching the sides.

My question is, what can I be signed off for? I don't feel it's necessarily WRS in the typical way, it's I hate my job, I want to be at home with my little one, I can't focus on wr tasks.

I

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 30/10/2022 07:21

Can you afford to not work ?

Overthebow · 30/10/2022 07:24

My question is, what can I be signed off for? I don't feel it's necessarily WRS in the typical way, it's I hate my job, I want to be at home with my little one, I can't focus on wr tasks

Surely then nothing? No one’s going to sign you off because you don’t want to do your job. Either give up work or apply for new jobs.

KentishMama · 30/10/2022 07:27

If you don't like your job, you quit it. You don't get signed off on medical grounds when there aren't any.

misspositivepants · 30/10/2022 07:29

So you want to let your class down because you want to stay at home with your child and you hate your job?

you work your notice and you find a new one or give up work completely

UnbeatenMum · 30/10/2022 07:29

This sounds like more than just not wanting to go back. I know loads of Mums including myself who didn't really want to leave their babies so young but coped well once back. So anxiety or stress sounds right to me.

BlueBar · 30/10/2022 07:30

Overthebow · 30/10/2022 07:24

My question is, what can I be signed off for? I don't feel it's necessarily WRS in the typical way, it's I hate my job, I want to be at home with my little one, I can't focus on wr tasks

Surely then nothing? No one’s going to sign you off because you don’t want to do your job. Either give up work or apply for new jobs.

They will. If OP says work is making her stressed, she'll be signed off easily. I was signed off for 6 weeks and I didn't even see a doctor. I had other stuff going on and genuinely needed the time, but it was all done by email , never even spoke to a doctor.

Ultimately though OP, you need to either decide you're going to get on with it or leave.

Whoops12 · 30/10/2022 07:31

Sorry OP it's not clear of your anxiety is making you ill or if you just don't want to work?

If it's the latter you need to leave rather than misusing the sickness policy.

Good luck

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 30/10/2022 07:32

If its just you don't want to work, find another job. Pretty shitty of you to think of abusing the sick leave policy simply to spend time with your kid. What a role model you are.

Whoops12 · 30/10/2022 07:32

BlueBar · 30/10/2022 07:30

They will. If OP says work is making her stressed, she'll be signed off easily. I was signed off for 6 weeks and I didn't even see a doctor. I had other stuff going on and genuinely needed the time, but it was all done by email , never even spoke to a doctor.

Ultimately though OP, you need to either decide you're going to get on with it or leave.

Show quote history

And my GP believes the best way to deal with stress is head on and wouldn't countenance a note for longer than 2 weeks for stress.

They're all different and we shouldn't assume just because one person found it easy, everyone will.

BadSkiingMum · 30/10/2022 07:32

Tomorrow 31st October is the resignation date. Get that in now then things will feel a lot better.

themimi · 30/10/2022 07:34

As pp have said, this is not WRS it's not wanting to work. In teaching, being signed off puts a huge amount of pressure on other staff who have to pick up the slack. It's a short term solution. The students get taught by supply staff who aren't invested and the children know if. There attitude deteriorates and you will have to pick up the pieces when you return - which is really hard. I say all of this to emphasise that being signed off is not a long term solution. If you hate your job, leave (but remember teaching is well paid, good holidays etc). Sometimes people do need to be signed off for genuine and debilitating WRS and it annoys me when someone who doesn't have it uses that as an excuse as it devalues others with real mh issues.

littlejo67 · 30/10/2022 07:34

I feel the replies have been harsh so far. I am sure most people have experienced thoughts about wanting to be unwell or in a non serious accident to escape work for a bit. Plus the OP has a child that she would rather be at home for.

I would say this is stress which could impact your future or current mental health. So maybe get signed off for mental health stress?

Maybe look for an online role using your current skills? Or working part time?
It maybe better than you think. I know for me I can dread something and then it's not as bad as I imagined, including returning to work when I think I can't face it.
Good luck OP.

BlueBar · 30/10/2022 07:35

Isn't most work related stress nit wanti

themimi · 30/10/2022 07:35

themimi · 30/10/2022 07:34

As pp have said, this is not WRS it's not wanting to work. In teaching, being signed off puts a huge amount of pressure on other staff who have to pick up the slack. It's a short term solution. The students get taught by supply staff who aren't invested and the children know if. There attitude deteriorates and you will have to pick up the pieces when you return - which is really hard. I say all of this to emphasise that being signed off is not a long term solution. If you hate your job, leave (but remember teaching is well paid, good holidays etc). Sometimes people do need to be signed off for genuine and debilitating WRS and it annoys me when someone who doesn't have it uses that as an excuse as it devalues others with real mh issues.

Their!

BlueBar · 30/10/2022 07:36

Oh dear. Isn't most work related stress not wanting to work/hating your job? I doubt many people get signed off if they love their job and look forward to going to work every day.

MoggyP · 30/10/2022 07:40

I think you need to resign asap, because basically you're saying you don't want to go to work at all. I assume you can afford not to work for a while.

It's only half a term, less than 6 weeks, to get through if you get that done in time. Yes you won't like it, but it's not for very long.

Do remember that dreading return is a normal reaction.

PAFMO · 30/10/2022 07:40

Lots of people don't want to return to work after having a baby. You've had a baby and returned and don't like it. You say yourself it's not WRS so please don't give the people who are genuinely sick a bad name by getting signed off with a fake illness.
Hand in your notice instead.

napody · 30/10/2022 07:41

Extreme panic/fear is WRS. Its not just 'don't fancy it'. If you don't think that will change anytime soon though, consider handing in notice tomorrow and getting signed off for this half term only. You'll easily get another job when you are ready- we are going to be seriously short of teachers for a loooong time.

isitginoclock · 30/10/2022 07:41

A doctor will sign you off with a medical condition - anxiety or depression but not WRS.
You seem to be saying in your post if work isn't truly dreadful and your boss isn't truly awful, then it can't affect your anxiety. It absolutely can. So even with a supportive boss, your anxiety can absolutely be triggered.

MillyMollyMonday · 30/10/2022 07:42

@Rosebirdie I sympathise- I’m a fellow teacher. If you have been put on medication due to the anxiety of the job and are feeling a loss of motivation (low mood?) because of work then it could be mild reactive depression, IME.

Life is too short. Priories your family and mental health, if you feel that it’s starting to deteriorate.

I hope that you’ve handed your notice in as the deadline is tomorrow!!! (As il sure you know).

If I was that sure I couldn’t cope, I’d give my notice in immediately by email to the HT and chair of governors and drop a hard copy through the school door TODAY.

Then I’d initially self certify and get signed off in due course if not feeling better.

If I felt able, I’d work my notice (and have managed to do so myself in extraordinary and extreme family circumstances). But I wouldn’t judge someone who couldn’t cope with working their notice.

toor · 30/10/2022 07:43

I'm not sure it's wrs is it? I get it you want to be with your baby. Most women who've had a baby struggle with going back. But you're a teacher. You need to sort it out. You can't get signed off for an indeterminate amount of time and leave people in the lurch for months because you want more time with your baby..

You need to resign. If you do it this week you can be gone by Christmas. Get signed off your notice period if you want but you can't just get signed off because you love your baby..

VioletLemon · 30/10/2022 07:46

Consider your mental health as you sound anxious about your job. You can be off work with anxiety for a few months until you feel you are in a place to cope. Can you reduce your contract or take a career break? Good luck, do what is right for you and your family.

SchrodingersKettle · 30/10/2022 07:48

Hand in your notice! Don't go off with stress, it's a very shitty thing to do to your colleagues and students unless you are absolutely incapable of working. Give yourself defined windows of time to work - be ruthlessly productive about what has to get done in that time. Put music on to help distract the angry/sad voices in your mind.

Many, many jobs are stressful and unpleasant. Im sorry you are struggling but just get through your notice period, then you are free.

PinkPlantCase · 30/10/2022 07:52

I agree that it sounds like you need to resign or reduced your hours not be signed off

berksandbeyond · 30/10/2022 07:56

Just resign. Bit shitty for all the kids in your class to have a teacher that so obviously doesn't want to be there.

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