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Original poster

What happens when you go off with stress?

33 replies

Nintendogal · 15/05/2023 06:54

If I go to the GP and say I need ot go off work with stress, what will they do? How long will they sign me off for and how often do they review it? Will they just believe me and let me self manage it or will they want all the detail?

I feel like I need at least 2 months off to get my head in a better place. Can I say this or will they just sign me off for a week at a time and I will have to keep justifying it?

OP posts:
Lostinplaces · 15/05/2023 06:56

it depends on your GP two weeks is usually the norm and then you can ask for more. I don’t think they will agree to two months straight off the mark.

milkysmum · 15/05/2023 07:09

Varies on the GP, but I wouldn't say any would sign off for 2 months. Initially 2 weekly reviews, then a month at a time if condition is longer term. They will definitely need to talk to you about how the stress is impacting you, and look at what support, if any, they can offer to reduce. Possibly a referral to talking therapy service.

Dox9 · 15/05/2023 07:11

I was signed off for 3 weeks and then it was extended for another two. Just in case it's helpful, my sick not stated "unfit for work" and nothing more, no mention of stress.

Original poster
Nintendogal · 15/05/2023 07:13

Thank you all. Luckily my employer is very supportive of this in my situation. I will make an appointment.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 15/05/2023 07:13

Nintendogal · 15/05/2023 06:54

If I go to the GP and say I need ot go off work with stress, what will they do? How long will they sign me off for and how often do they review it? Will they just believe me and let me self manage it or will they want all the detail?

I feel like I need at least 2 months off to get my head in a better place. Can I say this or will they just sign me off for a week at a time and I will have to keep justifying it?

You can self certify for the first week so don’t need to see a doctor. After 7 days you need a doctors fit note. They will issue it for a further 2 weeks without much fuss (via a phone consultation at many surgeries). After that they will probably expect to see you before issuing another fit note, to discuss how they can help. Whether you need to be prescribed anything or referred for talking therapy etc

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 15/05/2023 07:13

You go for either two or three weeks to start. It takes at least a week for the cortisol to start fading. You then either go back at the end or ring up for an extension.

Quveas · 15/05/2023 07:15

I can't see any decent GP just signing you off sick for two months and that's it.

It may be the way you've phrased this, but it didn't really sound like you are being genuine. Of course you will need to explain it. You seem more focused on being believed but not having treatment than you are on the cause of this issue. And you are assuming your employer is similarly going to play ball with a couple of months sick leave (on full pay?) without there being any consequences.

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 15/05/2023 07:16

The doctor will also ask you what you want written on it. ‚Work related stress‘ triggers occupational health later. Something more benign can avoid it (if you want to go back in the end - not a decision to make immediately)

Original poster
Nintendogal · 15/05/2023 07:18

Quveas · 15/05/2023 07:15

I can't see any decent GP just signing you off sick for two months and that's it.

It may be the way you've phrased this, but it didn't really sound like you are being genuine. Of course you will need to explain it. You seem more focused on being believed but not having treatment than you are on the cause of this issue. And you are assuming your employer is similarly going to play ball with a couple of months sick leave (on full pay?) without there being any consequences.

This is a very judgemental response. I am having lots of intervention/ support, I'm just not yet signed off work.

I have very good reason to be off and my employer knows this and that I will be off for a fairly substantial chunk of time. I was just unsure of the process.

OP posts:
GCWorkNightmare · 15/05/2023 07:21

Dox9 · 15/05/2023 07:11

I was signed off for 3 weeks and then it was extended for another two. Just in case it's helpful, my sick not stated "unfit for work" and nothing more, no mention of stress.

Deeply unhelpful for your employers who presumably had no clue how to help and support you. Why wouldn’t you be honest?

GCWorkNightmare · 15/05/2023 07:22

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 15/05/2023 07:16

The doctor will also ask you what you want written on it. ‚Work related stress‘ triggers occupational health later. Something more benign can avoid it (if you want to go back in the end - not a decision to make immediately)

This is absolute bollocks.

GCWorkNightmare · 15/05/2023 07:22

occupational health isn’t a punishment.

Quveas · 15/05/2023 07:28

Nintendogal · 15/05/2023 07:18

This is a very judgemental response. I am having lots of intervention/ support, I'm just not yet signed off work.

I have very good reason to be off and my employer knows this and that I will be off for a fairly substantial chunk of time. I was just unsure of the process.

Show quote history

That isn't what you said though, is it? It's not judgemental - it's factual. You said that you wanted to get signed off for two months without having to explain or justify your reasons for it. So this subsequent post is enormously different from what you first posted. People cannot just swan into the GP, ask for two months off sick and not provide any explanation or have any treatment. That is what you said you wanted. And employers don't generally sit around doing nothing about people getting signed off for two months with stress. My answer was factual based on your post. Had you been clearer in your post then perhaps you wouldn't have given the impression that you did. You mentioned nothing about the circumstances, the fact you already have interventions ( you said self managed, in fact), or that your employer knows about and supports it.

Dox9 · 15/05/2023 07:38

GCWorkNightmare · 15/05/2023 07:21

Deeply unhelpful for your employers who presumably had no clue how to help and support you. Why wouldn’t you be honest?

Show quote history

Oh my boss knew I was at breaking point due to tripled workload and had chosen to do zilch about it. His boss also knew and did not care. I did not see the point in dragging hr and occupational health into it. I started seeing a therapist privately while I was off and learnt how to deal with stress.

gogohmm · 15/05/2023 07:52

The devil is in the detail here. Without knowing your circumstances and your employer situation nobody can give accurate advice.

Generally gps sign off for 1-2 weeks for general not coping type stress at work initially then extend as required. Your employer will expect you to have done the normal things before getting what amounts to extra time off eg when I'm feeling stressed I take a day off annual leave and go swimming in the sea, also a holiday might help. If the stress is workplace based then a good employer should work with you to ensure that you have measures in place on your return so you can cope.

If this is for a specific reason eg bereavement, sickness etc then it's different, gps may sign off for longer periods initially. If you have a mental health condition which is the underlying cause then that would be dealt with differently too.

Basically work can get us down, but for some the trigger isn't work, without knowing this and your sector it's hard to say

Original poster
Nintendogal · 15/05/2023 08:00

Quveas · 15/05/2023 07:28

That isn't what you said though, is it? It's not judgemental - it's factual. You said that you wanted to get signed off for two months without having to explain or justify your reasons for it. So this subsequent post is enormously different from what you first posted. People cannot just swan into the GP, ask for two months off sick and not provide any explanation or have any treatment. That is what you said you wanted. And employers don't generally sit around doing nothing about people getting signed off for two months with stress. My answer was factual based on your post. Had you been clearer in your post then perhaps you wouldn't have given the impression that you did. You mentioned nothing about the circumstances, the fact you already have interventions ( you said self managed, in fact), or that your employer knows about and supports it.

Show quote history

You are talking to someone who is not very well. Have you considered that? This is unkind and I won't be engaging in any further responses from you, please don't reply again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nintendogal · 15/05/2023 08:03

Thanks to all who have given helpful information.

I am not worried about whether or not my employer will approve etc, I already have full support. I just needed to know what actually happens from the GP side of things.

OP posts:
KleineDracheKokosnuss · 15/05/2023 08:13

Since I speak from experience, no it’s not bollocks. But thank you for your input. I hope it helped you somehow.

and no,Oh isn’t a punishment but it can be a pain in the arse when it’s not actually needed.

Greenfairydust · 15/05/2023 08:16

@Quveas

''I can't see any decent GP just signing you off sick for two months and that's it. It may be the way you've phrased this, but it didn't really sound like you are being genuine. Of course you will need to explain it. You seem more focused on being believed but not having treatment than you are on the cause of this issue. And you are assuming your employer is similarly going to play ball with a couple of months sick leave (on full pay?) without there being any consequences.''

Completely inappropriate response.

You know nothing about the OP's mental health and it is not up to you to diagnose people over the internet.

No wonder there is so much stigma around mental health issues when some people think it is OK to come up with such ridiculous, judgemental tripe.

Anyway, back to you OP:

  • you can self-certified for 7 days without needing a sick note
  • you can then arrange to make an appointment with your GP to extend your sick leave
  • GPs tend to provide fit notes for 2 weeks and then renew if needed
  • they are usually careful to ask whether you want your mental health issues listed/disclosed on the fit note or if you would like them to be a bit more general (because as mentioned above mental health issues still unfortunately come with stigma) about the reason
  • you can discuss with the GP what you can do to address your issues: medication, counselling, ways to reduce and manage your stress.

You have not mentioned whether your current stress is linked to your job, some personal issues, existing depression and so on so it is harder to give more advice.

If you have long term mental health issues that affect you in daily life and will continue to do so you should declare that to your employer because you will then be covered by the Equality Act.

If it is a temporary stress issue linked to specific circumstances then explain to the employer that you are dealing with these issues and you are confident that the sick leave will allow you to recover and get back on track.

Quveas · 15/05/2023 08:30

Greenfairydust · 15/05/2023 08:16

@Quveas

''I can't see any decent GP just signing you off sick for two months and that's it. It may be the way you've phrased this, but it didn't really sound like you are being genuine. Of course you will need to explain it. You seem more focused on being believed but not having treatment than you are on the cause of this issue. And you are assuming your employer is similarly going to play ball with a couple of months sick leave (on full pay?) without there being any consequences.''

Completely inappropriate response.

You know nothing about the OP's mental health and it is not up to you to diagnose people over the internet.

No wonder there is so much stigma around mental health issues when some people think it is OK to come up with such ridiculous, judgemental tripe.

Anyway, back to you OP:

  • you can self-certified for 7 days without needing a sick note
  • you can then arrange to make an appointment with your GP to extend your sick leave
  • GPs tend to provide fit notes for 2 weeks and then renew if needed
  • they are usually careful to ask whether you want your mental health issues listed/disclosed on the fit note or if you would like them to be a bit more general (because as mentioned above mental health issues still unfortunately come with stigma) about the reason
  • you can discuss with the GP what you can do to address your issues: medication, counselling, ways to reduce and manage your stress.

You have not mentioned whether your current stress is linked to your job, some personal issues, existing depression and so on so it is harder to give more advice.

If you have long term mental health issues that affect you in daily life and will continue to do so you should declare that to your employer because you will then be covered by the Equality Act.

If it is a temporary stress issue linked to specific circumstances then explain to the employer that you are dealing with these issues and you are confident that the sick leave will allow you to recover and get back on track.

It isn't inappropriate, I did not diagnose anyone and it isn't up to you to decide what can be posted. The answer was appropriate to the question asked - if the OP wants to say "I want two months off sick, I don't want to explain why you the GP or receive any treatment" then they get answers based on that information.

Greenfairydust · 15/05/2023 08:35

@Quveas

It was inappropriate.

You implied the OP was making her issues up...

She has advised not to comment any further, as you have nothing substantial to contribute to the discussion, and I suggest you take that advice.

Original poster
Nintendogal · 15/05/2023 08:55

Thanks @Greenfairydust

I didn't want to go into detail about the actual causes and context on a public forum because I don't need advice on that, I am getting plenty IRL and I know how it needs to be managed.

Shame that some people think that because I'm not sharing my life story and all the context I am making it up. Oh well.

Thanks for all the advice. It's just good to know what to expect of the actual GP when I go in.

OP posts:
FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 15/05/2023 09:10

I was signed off for two weeks. Then a further two weeks. By the end of the second note, I'd handed in my notice, so my doctor said he was signing me off for the duration of my notice period so I didn't have to worry. He was amazing.

ErnestCelendine · 15/05/2023 09:10

I was signed off for 2 weeks. I started the process using the online messaging service at my GP which got the 2 week fit note.

This was followed by a phone call. I can't remember when this was exactly. My GP asked how long my notice period was and offered to sign me off for that full period (3 months).

He is amazing, but actually after 2 weeks of doing nothing, I felt ready to go back and look for another less stressful job.

Whatonearthisgoingonnnn · 15/05/2023 09:15

Just to give you a little extra support here OP - when you are off, do things you want to do. I had months off work with stress - my head had completely fell off. I went on longs walks by myself with my dog, headphones in. Posted photos of my walks on social media, pretty much daily. I did things to try to heal myself and my emotional state. You are allowed to do all this - do not feel like because you are off sick that you have to be holed in at home.

As for the GP I have no advice here - I wasn’t signed off by my GP. The HR department at work completely supported me not coming into work and had good reason to. I’d completely broke down at work and the reasons I had broken down were well documented by my manager.