Plausible way to get couple of months off sick?

[theanonone]

Just looking for plausible reasons where I could get 6 or 8 weeks off sick?
Busy public sector role, chronically overstretched, underfunded, thankless and get heaps of abuse every single day. Management issues too. Staff going off sick left right and centre. Burnout.
I'm starting to feel burnout. Not sleeping, my skin condition has flared up because of the stress. Never get out of work on time, regularly ending up staying late if more senior colleagues dump tasks on me at the last minute. Workload isn't realistic.
I've got a few applications on the go, and couple of interviews lined up. So there is light at the end of the tunnel.
My leave requests have been declined for all 3 weeks (not 3 consecutive weeks, but split up over the next couple of months). Can't even get more than a day or two off during the summer whilst my children are off school. Single parent.
I see colleagues going off sick for weeks at a time then just waltzing back into the office! Hardly any questions asked. I've been in the role 2 years and not had any time off sick yet.

Get signed off with stress because clearly you are stressed. No need to try and fake a reason. You are stressed and need to have time off, end of story.

Be sick?

Get out another job and get out now before this one ruins your health, you're already suffering from symptoms of stress and burnout.
Speaking from experience, things will be even worse when you come back and you will end up leaving, so start job hunting now

Stress. Go to your GP and be very honest.

Why are your leave requests being refused? Are you in a trade union?

My requests have been refused because various different colleagues are off at the same time. First come first served with leave requests. It's kind of frustrating because there are colleagues who brag with things like "I'll just go off sick.." if their requests ever get refused. No hope of any time off over over Christmas either because the same couple of people seems to be off sick for weeks on end over Christmas and New Year. Same people each time for the 2 years I've been there. Might just be coincidence but not sure. They post all over Facebook with outings and activities they're doing with kids when apparently too sick to be at work. Sigh. Kind of puts the monopoly on getting time off at Christmas, seems very unfair to other.

Just tell your GP the truth and get signed off.

Stress sounds like a very legitimate reason for time off in your case. Recover, and then look for a new job while you're off!

You are clearly very stressed. See your GP, be totally honest. Your certificate should say work related stress, as that's what it is.

I had to do exactly the same last year. I took two months off to recover. Then I started putting out CVs and ended up not going back as I found another job. Six months later I am a new woman, no longer burnt out. I work shorter hours in an easier job in a nicer place, I come home, I relax. I don't stress about tomorrow and I don't get any hassle at work. It's nice.

Doesn’t sound like you need a plausible reason, as you have one. Stress does all sorts of things to the body and sounds like you need a break.

I have been in a similar position in a job which sounds much like the work culture you are in, felt like a weight had been lifted when I left.

Just tell your GP what you have said here and ask to be signed off then concentrate on getting your new job. You won’t look back! Good Luck.

Being exhausted/burning out is a perfectly good reason to be signed off sick...

Your employer is causing this with their unreasonable workload and inflexibility.

You can self-certify for a week then make sure that you see your GP and be honest with them.

You should also speak to ACAS. You are entitled to annual leave like any other employee and they should not be constantly refusing all your annual leave requests.

If you go to GP and tell them what you've said here, you'll be signed off. Probably for 2 weeks initially, but they'll extend it.

I've never done it, but I've managed plenty of staff who have.

I see colleagues going off sick for weeks at a time then just waltzing back into the office! Hardly any questions asked

Tbf, you wouldn't be aware of any questions being asked, surely? What do you want - access to their fit note?

Following as in a similar situation.

Go to your GP and explain how you are feeling. A few years ago, I became very anxious, and I was unable to function. I was signed off for about 9 weeks. I am also a manager. Recently, another staff member made a similar comment about a colleague and her sick record, and the fact she doesn't get pulled up on it. She does, but no one knows as I wouldn't openly talk about a staff members sick record to everyone! That said, you do sound stressed, OP. Speak to your GP.

First thing to do would be to get your leave requests in quicker next year.

Then set up a meeting with your manager to discuss realistic targets and workload.

Check how much paid sick leave you get with your length of service. Go to the GP and get signed off with stress, it'll probably be 2 weeks initially but could be extended.

Beware any new job might ask for your sickness record or an occupational health assessment so you might want to think about that.

Good luck with the job hunting.