taking time off work

[Joan J]

Thanks all. I guess I just don't want anyone from work thinking I'm weak for taking some time off. It just seems easier to have something they can see like a broken limb. Hopefully I'll feel better soon.

I got so frustrated I yanked up my jumper and showed my manager my back - which was absolutely plastered!!!  It is good that you have recognised that you need a break before you get too down.  Most people  have suffered from feeling low at times and will understand - often we imagine what people are thinking when the opposite is true.  You have a rest and look after yourself
Joan

[Jamie..]

Good luck elgrande, I understand how you feel. I feel the same as the pressure is growing at my work since the company was bought and the resources have not been increased, but the work load doubled. My boss is just as stressed as i am so am struggling to work out what to do myself. Have raised the issue with our H & S advisor and he is speaking with the owners HR rep, but still doesnt look like we will get the resources we need. I worry about having time off as know it would be more of a nightmare to come back to after

[elgrande]

Yeah just spoke to my manager at work but she seemed a little bit annoyed. I said that I have been feeling a bit low lately, sleeping poorly and my psoriasis has flared up. She asked what the doctor said and I said I need to go back on Friday and I might get signed off. She asked if it was work related and I said not really it was a combination of things to which she kind of sighed and said she would speak to me when I got back. 

[Joan J]

Yeah just spoke to my manager at work but she seemed a little bit annoyed. I said that I have been feeling a bit low lately, sleeping poorly and my psoriasis has flared up. She asked what the doctor said and I said I need to go back on Friday and I might get signed off. She asked if it was work related and I said not really it was a combination of things to which she kind of sighed and said she would speak to me when I got back. 

Biatch   Great people skills - I bet that made you feel a whole lot better!!!! Tell your Doc about the attitude so he/she understands

[babyblue]

Yeah just spoke to my manager at work but she seemed a little bit annoyed. I said that I have been feeling a bit low lately, sleeping poorly and my psoriasis has flared up. She asked what the doctor said and I said I need to go back on Friday and I might get signed off. She asked if it was work related and I said not really it was a combination of things to which she kind of sighed and said she would speak to me when I got back. 

Sorry that you've not had a more favourable response Elgrand.  Your manager probably doesn't know how to deal with it given that you have written; they rely on Doctor's reports etc at this point.  She may also be under pressure from her line manager.  When you see the Doc, be honest about your current capabilities and bring letter round to work, then take some quality time out for you, relax and try to get well without the pressure of work.  And when you're ready .. and Doc agrees, you can pick up where you left off.

Hugs
BB

[cymraes]

I suggest you get your bosses etc(maybe doctors as well) to log into this forum and read the posts. It has helped me to understand my son's condition, which I was completely ignorant of before. It also helped me to understand the emotions involved as well.

[Ana]

Hi,
Just been reading your posts Elgrande - really sorry to hear what you're going through and hope that you can take this time to look after yourself. Don't worry about work at the moment, your boss was being insensitive and she was probably straight away thinking about how to manage your work load when your rang so didn't take time to think of you as a human being, which you are. Hope you feel better, and just chill out now. I've been sined off before, and for me in the end it was that the job wasn't worth it to go back too.
Ana

[TJB]

Elgrande, know exactly how you feel about not wanting to seem weak for having time off.
I sometimes think i push myself too much where works concerned.
I had a hospital appointment in Jan and the nurse took me to ine side and said " No one will think any different of you if you give in to it once in a while and rest" so i took a week off work, and i felt so much better for it.
My manager doesnt want to know about all the details my illness,(men!) but he said i can take off as much time as i need.
Take care of yourself
Tracey

[elgrande]

Hey guys, met up with my parents last night for some dinner and told them what’s going on. Although sympathetic, they both felt I should get back to work as soon as possible and being off will only cause me to dwell on things. I explained that how I felt at work was part of the problem and that the anxious feelings I was experiencing whilst there was draining and getting me down but their view was that I'll only worry more about being off. I can see their point to an extent but they do tend to have an old fashioned view about getting on with things. I'm filling out a job application today for something I spotted which is keeping me busy but maybe I should try and get back in before getting signed off. Going to give it some thought today.

[kat.chloe]

Hey guys, met up with my parents last night for some dinner and told them what’s going on. Although sympathetic, they both felt I should get back to work as soon as possible and being off will only cause me to dwell on things. I explained that how I felt at work was part of the problem and that the anxious feelings I was experiencing whilst there was draining and getting me down but their view was that I'll only worry more about being off. I can see their point to an extent but they do tend to have an old fashioned view about getting on with things. I'm filling out a job application today for something I spotted which is keeping me busy but maybe I should try and get back in before getting signed off. Going to give it some thought today.

Hi elgrande

I can see both points of view on this.  Working is really healthy as it takes the focus off you, it keeps you busy and gives a sense of accomplishment.  However, sometimes I think time out is a good thing too, time to regroup, figure out where you are at and where you want to be.  I think when working we just keep going on, one foot in front of the other if you know what I mean, and ignore some of the bigger issues.  Time out can give you time to explore what you need to make you well and whole as a person.  Sometimes it forces you to take stock of your life.

Whilst I was working, I literally kept getting sicker and sicker.  I was in and out of hospital and surgeons' consulting rooms.  The time off required was becoming a nuisance to my workplace and they werent tolerant by the end.  The other thing, for me, is that I had spent a long time building up a really good work reputation but the last 14 months really hurt that reputation as I wasnt up to performing at my best. 

I honestly dont regret taking the time out.  I wish I hadnt had the health set back that I have had during this time, but that too was easier to deal with when not having to go to work.

Good luck with your decision, it really isnt an easy one to make.  If you need to talk, please dont hesitate to PM me.

Kat