What's the procedure for going off with stress?

[losing-it]

I'm normally a really upbeat chap, but due to some issues the past 18 months have been really tough.

Luckily I've never had any mental health issues before, but that means I'm clueless.

For the past few months I keep thinking I'll take some time off when the next crisis happens, but then a week or two later another crisis happens and I just plod on through and repeat the process.

Last year a load of issues happened at once, I asked for a couple of weeks unpaid leave, but was told no.

I'm just mentally exhausted, barely smile anymore and am constantly forgetting things.

90% of my stress isn't work related, but there is some difficulties with a manager which normally would just add a bit of stress, but at the moment my life is so full of other stress I just can't be dealing with it.

I very nearly walked out of work today, but realised I've no clue how any of this works.

Do I need to book a GP's appointment first?

Can I just tell a manager, walk out, then and book a GP later?

Is there a normal amount of time to be off with stress?

I'm not on any attendance stages, and have been an OPG for several years.

[chickenwittle]

Tell all this to your gp and go from there.

[Cedar_Room]

Call in sick,book in with your GP & tell them how you are feeling. Tell them everything. Chances are you will be signed off & the chances are they will ask you how long you think you will initially need to be away from work. If you need longer then the first sick note,then you’ll get another. I was in your exact postition around 3yrs ago & the doctor I spoke to could not have been more sympathetic,she was was fantastic!

I ended up having a few months off,made some lifestyle changes & (touch wood) - got back on track!

Good luck!

[sindba]

Mental illness is no different from physical illness.

If you don't feel well enough, ring in sick. You can self-cert for 7 days, need a doctors note for longer.

So go sick, and see your GP in the meantime, and follow their advice. Be honest with both work and your GP.

[postslippete]

What you are going through is valid and the first step is to book a GP appointment because stress related absence requires a fit note from your GP if you're off more than 7 days. You don't need the note before you go off but the sooner you see your GP the better and you tell them everything that you have said here.

Next step, stop working, if you are at breaking point you can go off sick immediately by simply telling your manager that you're not well and going off due to stress and mental health. Simply say "I'm not coping right now, I'm going on sick and will be speaking to my GP". You can be off up to 7 days without a doctors note via self-certification but after then, your GP will usually provide a fit note.

Thirdly, you stay in touch - but only on your terms. If you get a call from a manager then you don't have to go into detail about personal matters or justify your feelings. You are entitled to RM sick pay, not just SSP, it only becomes SSP on a 2nd or 3rd absence within a year. However, your goal is recovery and your GP will help judge what is appropriate and can review your fit note regularly. Some people take a couple of weeks, others like my missus needed a month or more from her workplace.

[grimshaw]

And this week is mental health awareness week, supported by Royal Mail

[Mick100]

Some at my place have been off a year with stress

[losing-it]

Thank you all for the advice and information.

I texted work know this morning, and have phoned my GP reception (haven't heard back yet).

I felt a huge sense of relief as soon I texted work.

My manager has asked me to call him tomorrow morning. Really I'd rather just curl up in a ball for a couple of days then look for a therapist (unless the GP suggests something different), but speaking to the manager seems fair.

[jagger]

If it’s anything like those at our place who’ve gone off with stress, the doctor will continue to sign you off without seeing even seeing you.
You tend to find that they are all cured after six months and a day, when they go on to half pay.
Amazing

[Perseus]

.

[Subman]

Thank you all for the advice and information.

I texted work know this morning, and have phoned my GP reception (haven't heard back yet).

I felt a huge sense of relief as soon I texted work.

My manager has asked me to call him tomorrow morning. Really I'd rather just curl up in a ball for a couple of days then look for a therapist (unless the GP suggests something different), but speaking to the manager seems fair.

Just want to let you know, that many of us out here understand how you feel. Many of us have felt the daily grind from managers wear us down.Many of us know the helplessness of the current work environment where respect for the individual is lost. You aren't alone and if the manager you have to speak to is a manager who contributes to your stress then it would be reasonable to be allowed to speak to a different manager.

[RyanH]

Thank you all for the advice and information.

I texted work know this morning, and have phoned my GP reception (haven't heard back yet).

I felt a huge sense of relief as soon I texted work.

My manager has asked me to call him tomorrow morning. Really I'd rather just curl up in a ball for a couple of days then look for a therapist (unless the GP suggests something different), but speaking to the manager seems fair.

I was in exactly the same boat as you by the sounds of it...

Loads going on outside of work but work was definitely not helping my situation

18 years service but felt like I was the dirt on the bottom of the managers shoe..

One day, after being moved from pillar to post after my walk was taken out, I decided I needed to remove myself from that particular situation..

I told my manager I was going off with stress, booked an uber and went home...

That was actually the last time I was in the building as a paid employee, as after being at home and having chance to think and piece my head back together I decided it would be best for me to start a fresh somewhere else..

I was actually on the sick for 6 weeks, and on the advice from my line manager handed my notice in with a week left on my fit note before starting my work life away from the daily stress and politics of royal mail deliveries..

I'm nearly 2 years clear of the place, working 5 days a week mon - fri on better money with decent overtime if I want it and couldn't be happier... my mental health has drastically improved and I wish I'd done it years ago tbh...

I really hope you manage to get yourself sorted, maybe think about a change too.. you never know what you might find! Good luck

[nightcrawler]

In my 30+ years as a postie I’ve been off sick twice with stress. Once was 20+ years ago, was entirely work related, and was for about 9 weeks. More recently - during the pandemic in fact - I had 3 weeks off for stress (wish I’d taken longer). This was partly work related- anyone who worked during the height of Covid knows it was worse than Christmas, a lot worse. But there were also external factors at home which contributed to my stress. Put all these things together and I was at breaking point and had trouble sleeping, which in itself makes you irritable and prone to making mistakes. I simply phoned in on a Monday morning and told my (then) manager that I was taking some time off for stress and didn’t know how long I’d be off for. Near the end of the first week I went to my doctor and he signed me off for a further 2 weeks. When I went back my manager was very understanding and didn’t even put my time off on my sick record. Obviously not all managers are the same and it’s down to their discretion, but with mental health sickness they are often more lenient.