What to do with my (May be) 'Fit to work' note?

[Workisntworking]

I have had a very tough time at work this year. We are short-staffed causing me to work long hours and being on a constant level of high adrenaline. Staff levels are better (but not up to proper levels) but I have an extraordinary backlog. With the inflow of work greater than any possible outflow, the backlog increases.

I have told my own manager (Alex) who has been on sick leave herself for half the year, the managers of her grade (Harry and Chris), and the manager higher than them (Sam), that I have too much work. The work is such that if I make the wrong decision, or no decision, it has repercussions. I am frequently told that I can only do what I can do whilst also being told that I must do the one thing that the person speaking has asked me to do.

After losing it (crying-wise) with someone giving me more work despite me saying I had no capacity, I made an appointment with my GP. I sobbed with my GP and he wanted to sign me off but I wasn't sure about this because the work would not go away - it would be there, plus more, on my return. So he wrote me a Fit Note ticking the 'May be fit to work' box. It stated I would be fit to work if I had less work, less hours, changes to my work. To be honest, less hours is pointless without a change in the workload.

I emailed it to Sam immediately who took a week to speak to me about it. They did not reference the Fit Note but took me through a Stress Risk Assessment which didn't involve many changes other than potentially reducing workload by c.10% but that's going forward and the backlog remains.

The next day I had a meeting with Harry & Chris who had clearly spoken with Sam. The result of this gaslighting meeting was that my workload is to go up.

I am off with sick with flu now (I am never off sick and would usually work through). I'm stress that I need to be back tomorrow as I have some really tight deadlines. If I don't go in tomorrow, my head might explode next week because there is so much to do.

In light of the conditions put in the doctor's note, can I just call in and say that I am not in a position to return until I have less work? I am not sure how this would be actually done. I expect I'd have to find more time to train someone.

Tip on what to do with a 'May be fit note' would be welcome.

What a ramble! Although shows what a mess my head is at the moment!

What a ramble! Although shows what a mess my head is at the moment!

Honestly in my experience places like this never learn. For your own sake you need to quit. Whether you can afford to do that prior to having another job lined up is entirely your decision, but if not I'd put all my spare effort into job hunting. Your mental health won't thank you for sticking it out where you aren't appreciated or listened to.

Work to rule while you focus on getting another job lined up. Go on holiday before starting the new job. Good luck!

Oh my dear. You're poorly at the moment and between the flu and the overload from the unreasonable workload you don't sound well enough to be at work. Let the deadlines and the work drop. That's their problem to sort out. Concentrate on getting better and give yourself some breathing room and headspace away from work. If you had been run over by a bus they would need to cope without you. They sound toxic and not a decent employer. Start putting your wellbeing first and when you are feeling a bit better start searching for a new job as your current gaslighting dickbag employers are not worth the impact on your health and sanity.

I’ve been here! I also didn’t want to take the time off the doctor recommended because I was worried about the impact on my workload. My advice would be take yourself out of work for at least a week, then when you go back, make sure you have clear boundaries on what you can and can’t manage - eg no new work until the backlog is cleared, or I can do this work but it means xyz won’t happen. Prioritise yourself and your health, you’re more important than the job.

Thank you to those who answered.

Is the 'May be fit' note sufficient to have time off? I assume that Sam would argue that we agreed to a small reduction in work. Its really been put into my hands to train someone else up and Harry said, "With all due respect (always a red flag) if you were that busy you'd train x to do some of it."

I'm in exactly this position too so without hoping your thread, I am keen to hear responses.

I can't sleep because I can't switch off, the house is a mess as I wfh and am online at all hours and everything else is suffering but I'm not clearing the workload. I've also spoken out starting over a year ago saying this is too much, each account has doubled and it's just me doing this but despite promises of this that and the other, nothing changes.

I'm physically and mentally done!

I did apply for another job at the weekend. A sideways move to get out of this dysfunctional place.

Hogging not hoping. 🫤

Your mistake here is continuing to work as you were while they consider changes. This looks to them like you can manage as you are still there doing the work. Your employers are not seeing the huge toll this is taking on your health.

The GP wanted to sign you off sick but you declined. So she has said you are fit for work with certain conditions attached.
The conditions have not been fulfilled therefore go off sick, self certify for 7 days then go back to the GP and get signed off sick.

Then when you have recovered enough you can negotiate what changes will be made BEFORE your return.

Please look after your health and listen to your GP

@Workisntworking The stress risk assessment is an H & S requirement. It is appropriate in this type of case but does require action by manager’s.

Make sure you put in writing the conversations about 10% reduction going forward but no help to clear the back log. Followed by the conversation increasing your work.

My advice is definitely go back to your GP and get signed off with “Work related stress” for 4 weeks. Send the new fit note to Sam and state they need a plan on who will clear the backlog (not you) and that you need a 20% reduction in workload. After the 4 weeks get a Maybe fit for work fit note stating you need a phased return starting with 4 hours a day for first 2 weeks increasing by 1 hour every 2 weeks.

Whilst you are off - sleep and chill for the first week. If it’s your type of thing do mindfulness or meditation.

Second week continue take it slow, get out and walk. You will be amazed how tired you are. Update your CV and start applying for jobs. Sadly this situation is unlikely improve and they will take everything you can give.

The only thing that gets the message across is not delivering and essentially letting the ball drop. As long as you keep working yourself into the ground and delivering nothing will change.

This. I would keep pushing things to the managers eg "I don't have time to do this today/thus week etc and the deadline is xxxxx". On repeat.

If they send it back to you, push back again "what else on my list would you like me to drop" or "I can do this but I won't be able to do x, y or z".

Keep doing this while you look for other work. You need to set some clear boundaries.

Or just stay off sick (assuming you get sick pay?). Your sick note says that you are sick if the work load isn't reduced and they haven't reduced it. Tell them you will have to stay off until the workload is reduced. Ask about a referral to Occupational Health.

Hi just wanted to touch base and hear how posters in this thread, especially the original poster, are doing.

Here's for 2025 and new balance in life! Life is too short to stay in work place like this!