going to docs re stress - bad idea?

[redundant]

I will try to make this as short as i can.

I was told last week that I'm being made redundant (dept restructure), as my application for a new role in the new structure was unsuccessful (as were those of a number of others). I'm actually exploring options for an unfair dismissal case as I feel I met all the criteria for one of the jobs, so think I should have been appointed.

Anyway, in between now and then employer has made it clear they expect it to be business as usual whilst leaving dates for everyone are negotiated. There is no garden leave option, but they are offering to pay in lieu of notice.

I don't feel I can take that option financially (as leaving early will mean I lose a years complete service redundancy pay) so feel I have to stay and work out my 3 month notice period.

In the meantime work (I have quite a deadline driven/pressured job) keeps coming. The first couple of days after being told I put my out of office on and directed people to my manager, but don't feel I can do that any more.

The problem is I really don't feel able to focus on work, am really struggling, and now I worry that they could use my under performance to raise a disciplinary or something. I don't trust them.

I have today emailed my line manager to ask if we can meet to look at workloads.

I am considering going to docs and asking them to say I am fit to work but employer should be sensitive to over burdening/pressurising me or something. Is that a bad idea?

I have an exemplary employment record up till now by the way.

thanks for getting this far.

I don't have personal experience of this, but would have thought the GP wouldn't be likely to sign you off with stress for the whole 3 months. So, do you feel that a shorter break to deal with the feelings would be helpful, if he signed you off for 2 weeks or something like that? Or would it just make it harder to go back? If you think a break would take the pressure off then maybe that would be a good idea, but if it was me I don't think that would make much of a difference, as the rest of the 3 months would still be there to face when I got back.

I would talk to the manager about the workload - it's not reasonable for them to keep piling on the work if it's barely manageable at normal times, when you know the job is going nowhere. They can still expect you to do a decent job, but very driven jobs need the kind of motivation level that comes from job security and a feeling that all the extra effort is getting you somewhere, so they ought to take it into account to some extent you'd think.

thanks - I wouldn't expect to be signed off for 3 months (and wouldn't want that as I think it would show on my employment/attendance record?). I am thinking a couple of weeks to give myself some head space. At the moment I am still struggling to work out all the sums re what I will get (not much!) and HR aren't being very helpful.

I think if I had a couple of weeks out of it (or at least out of the high pressure part of it) then people would kind of get used to me not being there, and taking their 'must be done yesterday' type stuff somewhere else! So when I went back it might be easier/better.
I know that probably doesn't sound very good but its me being honest!

I have emailed my line manager, explaining that I was just about coping before by working extra hours etc, but I don't feel in the right frame of mind to be able to do that now, and am struggling, can we sit down and come up with a plan. I don't hold out much hope.

My elderly dad had a fall on Friday and broke his hip so he's in hosp, so that's prob not helping.

Its worth bearing in mind lots of new employers will require medical history or ask for the amount of time off sick. Is it really worth having a blot on your record?

If your workload hasn't increased from what it was before and you are determined to stick out your notice it may be worth just getting it over and done with.

Thanks LF. I've been recommended a very good solicitor but for financial reasons I have to pursue getting a solicitor through my house insurance, which is taking some time.

HMofOne - but would new employers not take into account that i was in a redundancy situation when off, and had an unblemished record till then? or do they not get that level of info? It seems a bit unfair, but maybe that's life!

my workload hasn't increased, but my ability to do it has decreased, and I think its unrealistic of them to expect business as usual in the circumstances to be honest.

redundant If you are to be made redundant then it is your role that is being made redundant and I am surprised that you are so overworked.
Also you say they have offered to pay you in lieu of notice so again if you were to go you would not be there to do the work (IYKWIM).
You say that you can't take PILON as you will lose a years service, I am not sure that this is correct.
You do need to get your facts checked by a solicitor as there are somethings that you are saying which seem wrong to me. For instance you should have been told all the details of your redundancy package and notice period when they officially told you that you were being made redundant.
It is often procedures that have not been followed which allow for claims of unfair dismissal, talk to you solicitor.

thank you - I have to wait for the insurance co to assess my case before they will appoint a solicitor for me, so any advice in the meantime is really helpful. Its really hard not having advice at the mo - I have rung the legal helpline but they're not much use.

I agree re the work - they're on a bit of a sticky wicket with the whole thing I think. Since this has all happened, I have discovered they are well known to the local solicitors and seem to be repeat offenders!

I could take PILON, but because I started work with them in the summer (sorry don't want to put exact dates etc in case someone identifies me!) and my 3 months notice takes me to the end of the summer, if I leave before the end of my 3 month notice I won't accrue an extra years service, if that makes sense.

They have been truly dreadful re telling us about our package etc, and initially misled a few of us by talking about taking requests for gardening leave, and it was only a few days later we discovered they actually meant PILON. Just extra stress that could have been avoided if they had prepped and got the facts and figures for each individual ready.