How do you take sick leave for stress?

[Accusedandclueless]

Sorry, perhaps a silly question but struggling and unable to think straight. I'm not sleeping and anxious to the max, worsened by an underlying auto immune condition.

I have a work investigation meeting at the end of the week and frankly feel I need to take next week off, this has been hanging over my head for weeks and won't improve for ages as the investigation will take time.

Do I just message my manager and say I won't be in for the week? Am considering seeing a GP to get a note if I feel I need longer. So do I say that?

You're planning to be off sick with stress next week but at work tomorrow, Thursday and Friday?

Yes, I don't want to let people down by stepping away from a couple of projects I can complete this week. Perhaps a bit mad

If you’re too stressed to work, that kind of starts now. You can’t schedule it for a more convenient time

What kind of investigation?

You would say you’re too unwell to work, whatever the reason, then self certify for 7 days. You would need sick note after this time.

I have the work investigation meeting on Friday, I think if I go off on sick leave now it will have to be paused. I can't bear to wait any longer for that step, although I know I will fall apart afterwards

So I'd say that on the Monday, that I'll be away off for the week? Actually it will be from Friday afternoon really

I didn't answer your question. A colleague has made a grievance against me, of harassment. It's not true, there's no evidence actually cited but it's been very upsetting and stressful.

You would need to tell your employer wherever it is you actually go off sick. Be that Monday or Friday. I imagine there’s a sickness policy/process for calling in sick?

Have you discussed with them the impact the grievance is having on you? They might suggest support, a stress risk assessment or similar to try and help you to remain at work.

If it’s a malicious grievance then this would come out in the investigation/case file and it won’t be upheld.

No, it's not a holiday

Treat it like any other illness and phone in sick on the Monday. Announcing in advance that you'll be off for the week does nothing for your credibility

Ok. I haven't really taken sick leave at all for years, always been the one working through, not letting anyone down. Thanks for the advice

The problem is that by going off sick it won’t make it all go away.
see how you feel after the meeting and if on Monday you don’t feel well enough to go in then follow the usual sickness absence reporting procedures.
Good luck op

Hope you feel better soon OP!

Formal processes in work are never easy. Hope that’s quickly resolved too.

It won't make it go away but the stress is impacting my body due to the auto immune causing pain and IBS, and not sleeping makes my symptoms worse unfortunately.

Will you have support at the meeting on Friday? I hope so.

If you need sick leave for the sake of your health, take it.

You call in sick on Monday morning citing this. And just follow your sickness policy. Mine is that you call management every morning, self certifying for up to one week, and a gp sick note is required after this. Hope you feel better soon 💐

I feel you, it’s much better to address the work meeting head on as it will just prolong the anxiety you are feeling.

Stress and anxiety is awful, especially when it manifests in the workplace, and especially when you are normally a good worker and care about what you do and the impact you have on your colleagues.

Firstly take a deep breath. Then book an appointment with your GP. If you need to call in sick tomorrow and say you feel run down/virus/metal health day what ever you feel comfortable with.

Thenjust tackle your feelings. You sound like you are being put on some kind of performance management at work, what’s the trigger for that? Is it work placed stress or something in your home life? If it’s work based, take the time to write it down and think of factual based evidence to take to your meeting, and some recommendations on how these obstacles can be overcome.

If personal, be honest and open in the meeting. You can potentially negotiate some reasonable adjustments like a shorter working week, short term flexibility re start and end times if you are unwell.

it can feel really overwhelming when you have stress and anxiety when it comes to work, the best strategy is to just be transparent and find mutual convenient strategies with your employer. Or if it’s a toxic workplace work in your CV, speak to your GP and get signed off to find a new job.

No support at the meeting although someone has supported me with pulling together a statement to present at the meeting.

Hr suggested I assess a support service available through work, they suggested I consider taking time off.

Have you talked to ACAS?

Our GP will give a sick note about working reduced hours if appropriate. I have a physical malfunction that is made worse by stress.

Some of us don't have the luxury of dropping everything and working through on limited hours can be helpful for mental health

It's not scheduling being ill, it's knowing when your body needs to recover

I have spoken to ACAS, not really much help. Most guidance is about how to lodge a grievance, not how to defend yourself against one. It's awful, having your character blackened like this, feeling like all of HR are thinking well there's no smoke without fire. But there is.

Are you in a union ?

If not

Join one

Whilst they generally cant help you with previous / current stuff
Youd have them 4 the future

Hi, I'm going through something very similar, please feel free to pm me xx