Has anyone been signed off work for stress before?

[citronella]

How long for and how did your employers treat you?

How are you doing now Citronella?

Hi
Just joined so bear with me please. I was signed off work back in November with depression and anxiety. I also suffer from Arthritis and have a prolapsed disc and a trapped nerve which happened during an MRI scan in December which has led to muscle spasms and a lot of pain. I'm awaiting nerve block procedure on 4th March. I have now got a lot of OT equipment around the house to help me in the bedroom, bathroom etc.
Anyway still off sick and work want a formal capability meeting due to my ongoing sick leave. I think they're looking for a way to get rid of me on health grounds, I know they can do this legally if they believe I'm incapable of doing my job due to my health issues, but I'd like to hear from anyone else who has been in this position and how they dealt with it? Also are employers supposed to keep you up-to-date with work activities whilst you're off so you're kept in the loop for when you return?

Sorry you are going through health problems and now this new challenge with work.

Have you decided if you want to return to work. If in your heart of hearts you don't want to go back maybe you could suggest a compromise agreement if you reason with them that your health problems amount to a disability but you would be willing to agree on an amicable parting of the ways. Even if they give you, say 1-2 months plus a payment in lieu of notice and a reference that might be a way of moving forward. Better than them dismissing you for being unable to work through illness and having to consider if that amounts to unfair dismissal in a tribunal. Not when you have significant health concerns already ...

Really keeping you in the loop it dies depend on the nature of a role and the duration of absence. 2 weeks absence is very different to 3 months for example. People may not want to bother someone by flooding their mailbox with emails that may not be relevant.

If you feel you are not kept in the loop but want to be then it's best to request an update via your manager. But arguably if you are off with stress shouldn't you be resting and having a proper break from the office?

Sorry about the typos. Auto correct on overdrive today

DH had nearly a year off after he had a breakdown. It was after a 'perfect storm' year where I'd had a major injury and acquired a disability as a consequence (and had been off work for ages, lots of operations, big uncertainty), he had a new boss who undermined him at every opportunity, and a whole load of other stuff.

HR were brilliant. The OH dept got him funded counselling. His boss got sacked.
DH had a gradual return to work, hasn't had a problem since.

The trouble is that the OP seems to have ongoing physical problems that may keep them off work for some time to come. So it isn't about a 'problem manager' giving them hell as far as I understand it.

Great news re your circumstances CMOT!