I've tried to persist with my job for as long as I can take it however I've really had enough now. as it is really affecting my health, I've decided to quit.
The problem I have is this - I called in sick today and told my manager that I was in no fit state to work, and that I was suffering with stress (which is the truth) and I was looking to see my doctor today (to get signed off work). Unfortunately, I can't get an appointment until next Monday. Luckily I have this Thursday and Friday already booked off so tomorrow is the issue.
What do you advise that I do? Do I call in sick again tomorrow, wait until Monday when I get signed off and hand in my notice at the same time?
The only reason I ask is because I have been in this situation before and I would really appreciate your help.
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I would also also ask the question why you feel the need to hand your notice in so quickly?
yes, the job is a major factor in the stress but not having a job or the income can also be stressful. Are there any other issues that are contributing to the stress that can be addressed separately from work?
If you don't feel happy in a job then jack it in but I'm concerned reading what you have said that you are making a serious decision when stressed and unwell and that is not always the best time to do that
Dependent on your job terms & conditions and how long you get sick pay for, you can continue this on a monthly basis.
If you get 6 months full pay, then 6 months half pay, the financial opportunity to keep earning is available, whilst you look elsewhere for employment. If you're signed off, you're signed off.
The downside is would an employer be looking to take someone on, who has been off ill for a long time with stress ?
It's a judgement call by you.
A friend of mine did this for 6 months.
I handed mine in this morning. I'm not sick though.
I am speaking from experience albeit many years ago now.
For 6 months I have felt stressed at work due to a lack support and training by my colleagues. I have raised the issue with my manager twice however nothing has been done to help me about it. It all came to a halt last week and yesterday was the worst I have ever felt at work. I felt sick and I haven't eaten or slept since then.
My notice period is six weeks and there is no way I am going back there. From reading the responses on here the best thing to do would be to get signed off work for a month and at the same time hand in my notice,
You can continue getting signed off monthly on full pay (if your terms allow and your GP is sympathetic) and this gives you the chance to look elsewhere for a job, whilst on full pay.
This can continue for as long as you are being paid.
Good luck. Horrible situation but most of us have been there if that's any consolation
I'd echo their advice 100%
See you doctor, get signed off, but more importantly get 'next steps' advice. Don't just sit at home for x long either hoping the issue will go away or ignore it, actively set about whatever advice they offer. In a week or two, dealing with the work situation may view a little different. Most things can be overcome.
As HI insinuates, don't just automatically think the opt-out will improve things. There is a good chance it might not.
Good luck
@L Block - It's important to know you're not alone - this is more regular than most people think.
Agree with this and what Covered End has said.
Don't rush into a hasty decision
Just to wish you all the very best now, and in the future.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/furtheradvice/legalresponsibility.htm
Call in sick again tomorrow, even if you just want to say you have a stomach bug and then go see the doctor on Monday. Get signed off for a month (I was off 3 months in the end) and look into how you can solve your stress problems.
Even coming on here to talk about it, all helps in the long run
Why can't you flag moderators blah blah wibble.
Obviously if you have found you can no longer tolerate your work place as it is effecting your health, then it is the right thing to do to look elsewhere.
Just out of interest, have you (or was it possible) to go over your managers head for help with your issues?
I've been doing the same thing for 8 years now. Outbound telesales. I'm pretty brain dead and clock watch for a large part of the day. I spend far too much time on this site;-) I know it needs to change but I don't know what I want to do.....
Don't let the bastards grind you down is what I'm saying:)
I have been lucky, I handed my notice in this morning, I took the job 1 month ago, but its not what it said on the tin, it has been massively stressful, seriously a pain for many reasons. But my old employer called me and offered my old job back there on a permanent basis (its a great place to work), and I have only had to give 1 weeks notice (due to probation deal on the contract) which means I dont have to worry about this place. However my boss here has asked me to give more notice!! Which is not going to happen, they dont get it do they!!
So, as others have said, hold on in there, get a few weeks off sick, dont make rash decisions, write down a plan of action (seriously), ie what is stressing you, what can be done to negate the stress (if anything), maybe change your career, apply for as many jobs as you can etc etc, when YOU are happy follow the plan. It will help.
Good luck.
It was a combination of work stress and my wife being pregnant and I was a mess (they wanted me to go to Australia at the same time as my first child was due to be born). At one point I stood up in the office and called out to my boss with the view to telling him I was leaving but I opted to go to the Doctors instead.
I saw a doctor, she asked what was wrong and I fell to pieces. Absolutely blubbing like I haven't since I was a child.
I was signed off with "Moderately severe stress, anxiety and depression". Signed off for two weeks.
I told my employers who were really good about things, acknowledging they had contributed to this in a big way and they even got me on to a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at The Priory in Chelmsford.
In total I was signed off for 8 weeks I think, maybe 10 - then I returned to work gradually working up to full time. I took every email I had received in that time and binned it - never to be read by me. I switched to a role that didn't demand I travel and I continued to look for other work. The new role was easier so I knew they would try to get me out - and they did - but I got a pay-off and now couldn't be happier at my new job.
in summary - I strongly suggest you deal with the health issue first. DO NOT EXACERBATE IT by resigning now and giving yourself an additional stress. It may be that you can enter into dialogue whilst signed off about a mutual termination (and maybe a pay-off) but the most important thing is your health.
One other thing - I was petrified about perspective employers checking my sickness records but not a single person has ever asked about it.
Different organisations may have different provisions and though there is a lot of very sound advice above, it's always best that you know what your employers' policies are when it comes to sickness absence. Whilst some can be reasonably understanding, others (particularly in the private sector, but not exclusively) can be real bar stewards if you make the slightest step out of what the policy states and they can make things very awkward, particularly when it comes to providing 'factual' references for your next job.
For example, if your sickness absence goes over the firm's trigger points in the given period, some companies will start sickness absence procedures, irrespective of the reasons. They could then, if asked by a future potential employer whether you have ever had any disciplinary/absence procedures started against you, say that there have been. Suddenly that job you thought you were nailed on for suddenly slips out of your grasp to someone with a 'clean' record.
I know it sounds extreme, but it does happen.
lots of wise advice above ...be interested to know how long you have been with your employer and whether you have mentioned to them if the job makes you stressed in anyway and if so what steps they have taken ? The 6 week notice period suggests that you have accrued length of service and your employers will have some duty of care towards you
for the time being your default position should be sick leave .I wouldnt advise you to resign whilst unwell best to make decisions like that when you feel in more control . Hope you feel better soon ..
I'm saying that grammar school education was wasted on AFKA : - )
It is very difficult to go in to detail with my situation as there are a couple of Charlton boys & girls who work at my company and may come on this site, so I need to be careful what I say.
In short I have worked there for 6 1/2 years. I moved departments in May due to the previous department I worked on being relocated (I was cherry picked by my current team to stay as they heard good things about me).
I work on a small team of 5 people (including 1 part timer), and everything was going fine for the first month. Since August we have taken ridiculous amounts of extra work and judging by the stats we need a team of 12 to function effectively. The worst part is we were not trained on anything we took AND STILL HAVENT. I turned around to the two people I sit with who have 40 years experience between them in this field of work, and even they said they struggle and don't know what to do. Also the fact we are so busy means I can't even ask for help either.
On two occasion I have raised the issue with my manager that Im struggling and need help, but nothing changed.
To make matters worse, a member of the team was sacked last week for poor performance even though she asked for help on numerous occasions. It came to light yesterday by her close friend that she was actually being bullied by a couple of senior members of staff.
ive been in a number of jobs in the past which I hated, but I stayed until I found a new one because I KNEW how to carry out the job. This situation is totally different. I've never quit a job in my life but when I'm asking for help and support so I can carry out my job and I'm not receiving it.....well that is why I'm so stressed. I've lived in hope over the last 2 / 3 months that things would Improve, but inf fact they've gotten worse.
Sorry for the essay but sometimes it's good to get it off your chest ; )
I definitely wouldn't recommend taking a course of action just to make some money out of it - I just think you need to address the health matter. Whilst off work I spent much of the first fortnight bricking it about "What are they thinking of me" or "What are they saying about me" but - in reality - they were wrapped up in their own lives and within a few days I was old news. I will admit it took me 4-6 weeks before I was even close to being in a position to return to work.
Mental health is a strange thing and everyone is different - so speak to a doctor, don't try to take the piss with your employer and see how it pans out.
As an aside - it sounds like your colleague has a case for constructive dismissal. She should speak to Citizens Advice
Good luck - and if you need anything just PM me
First off, no job is worth sacrificing your long term health for.
As others have said, my gut feeling is not to hand your notice in just quite yet. See how you feel once you've seen the doctor - s/he will probably sign you off for a week or two - use that as breathing space.
Is there any possibility of your organisation seeking redundancies any time soon? This would look less bad on a CV than a resignation / being dismissed on health grounds.
The other question (which you need to ask yourself but I really don't expect you to answer on here) is what will you do if you do leave? In terms of finances.
Broadly speaking, if you resign from a job, you aren't eligible for job seekers' allowance (in some circumstances you may be entitled to a 'hardship payment' which is like the dole only even less. At one time they would tell you this, these days I think the job centre staff are expected not to)
I'm not quite sure where you'd stand in this respect if you claimed 'employment support allowance' (the benefit you claim if you're too sick to work) if you resign. And the assessments for ESA are not exactly helpful either.
I'm inclined to think the best long term answer would be to concentrate your efforts on finding another job. This is easier said than done at the moment in any circumstances, and as others have said, some employers (despite equalities legislation) are reluctant to take on someone with past health problems, and anything 'mental health' related will frighten some potential employers.
Hope things get better for you soon.