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At breaking point, should I get signed off?

4 replies

heronorstork · 27/04/2026 10:50

To give some background, I have worked for this organisation for over 10 years. It was truly a wonderful organisation until around a year ago when it was effectively taken over by another organisation, nearly all of the exec team were replaced by the other organisations’ and since then it’s just awful.

I’m in a senior role and so have responsibility for a number of teams, my teams are great individuals but struggling to adjust to the new culture and are looking to me for support and assurances which I just cannot give. My new director is awful, bad mouths people constantly, is a real bully, power mad and seems to get off on pushing people to their breaking point.

I was recently passed two extra teams to manage, but overnight the director is expecting me to know all of the answers about everything and is intent that I need to “sort them out” despite these issues being things that had been allowed to carry on under my directors eyes for years!

I just know it isn’t going to get any better, I’m actively applying for roles elsewhere but the market is tough. Every night before work I am tense and stressed. I’m a single Mum to young children with no financial support so quitting isn’t an option without another role lined up. I do get sick pay, I know that the moment I go off I’ll be seen as the new victim for my director but I just don’t know what else to do, it’s honestly making me miserable and I’m snappy with my children and not who I ever thought I’d be.

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totallybonafido · 27/04/2026 10:56

I had something similar and have been signed off for 2 months, definitely do it. You don't owe the company anything and you should look after yourself. I had looked for another job for 6 months so it's not like I hadn't tried to get out without resorting to time off. I now have another job starting in June (resigned during sick leave) and probably won't return to my current job at all.

heronorstork · 27/04/2026 11:24

Thankyou, and I’m sorry to hear you went through a similar thing @totallybonafidoreally pleased to hear you have found something new, best of luck to you!

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StandingDeskDisco · 27/04/2026 14:55

Of course.
And a couple of days before you go long-term sick, sneak out any personal belongings on your desk, just in case you never go back.

Burst into tears in front of your GP, lay it on thick. Aim for a diagnosis of anxiety. You should get a 'fit note' for 3 or 4 weeks to start with, then can go back for another one.
Spin it out for as long as possible before resigning - giving you sick pay is the very least that company owes you for what you have been through.

heronorstork · 27/04/2026 18:17

Thankyou. Thankfully we hot desk so no personal possessions in the office.

It wouldn’t take much for me to break down over this. As I say I’ve worked there for over 10 years with no issues whatsoever, but my new director is a bully and is expecting so much from me, it’s like they’re pushing me to my breaking point and I see it’s a game they like to play and I don’t want to be a part of it.

I was given advice by my former director (who has been amazingly supportive from the sidelines) to join the union as I’ll need support, not sure whether to do this…

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