Sick leave

[Trac1707]

Hi All,

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong thread. I suffered a loss in mid November and I've been powering though work. I manage a team in the NHS. Lately, I've been struggling with my mood, I've been breaking down at work, sobbing in the toilets. Can't focus, no motivation.
I'm working during this Xmas week as I don't want to let my team down.
But I'm feeling too overwhelmed to face my team. I might self certify which i guess will include some of the bank holidays. I want to speak to my gp and maybe request for a couple of weeks to get my head together and feel like me again. Does it look wrong to ask for fit note so soon after new year?

Just so you know, I have a great record and have rarely taken sick leave. It's just this time I am struggling to hold it together

Who cares if it "looks wrong"? If you need signing off, and your GP thinks it's appropriate, then it is for the best.
Im sorry for your loss.

It's no better nor worse than any time. But I would strongly recommend explaining your circumstances to your own manager even before speaking to a GP. Not telling you not to go off sick, but if your manager knows you are struggling they can kickstart supportive resources like OH, counselling etc as appropriate. Especially since you can'y say for certain that a couple of weeks will be enough. If you are struggling this badly, time off isn't always the panacea it feels like, and so it can stretch out longer than you think.

NHS Director here. I'm sorry you're going through this - I've been there myself. You've gone back to work too soon. Don't worry about your sick record, a one off long episode of absence due to bereavement won't ever go against you. Going to work and realising you need more time off is fine. You tried to work and you're not ready. Go to your GP asap. They see this every day. Let them decide what you should do next and for how long. Be kind to yourself x