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Stress induced illness -advice pelase

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Imperfect27 Tue 12-Jan-16 10:00:44

Without going into too much detail, I have been signed off work since Dec 4th. Work management is going through a transitional phase and whilst being regarded as a successful middle manager 18 months ago, after 4 new managers within a year and no proper performance management I find my face no longer fits and I am perceived as underperforming. I am not alone - 3 other colleagues have been off with stress at the same time as me. I have now handed in my notice and should finish mid-February. My current sick note runs out on Thurs and whilst I have been better - was having severe panic attacks , very interrupted sleep and emotional meltdowns - I am beginning to feel stressed all over again as the return to work date looms. I am not at all encouraged by one colleague who had a back to work meeting recently. The manager did not even ask 'how are you', but simply told her she was referred to occupational health and had to make appointments. Five minutes into the meeting she was talking targets at her! I also know that all the things that have stressed me are simply not going to go away and cannot be resolved and that during my absence the sense of morale at work has hit an all time low. I am a deeply conscientious worker - which adds to the situation for me. I am just not sure what to do. I have drafted several emails to my boss, but each time the list of 'what is wrong / needed ' to help me successfully return is so long I give up. Part of me thinks I only have 4 weeks to go, but it is so stressful I think I will quickly be unwell again. Has anyone else here been in this situation? Is it reasonable to ask my doctor to continue to sign me off? I am so sad - I worked happily and with success and 2 promotions in my place of work over the past 7 years and it is heartbreaking for me that everything is so broken now. ADVICE PLEASE!

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Jaxie Thu 14-Jan-16 19:28:07

I was an FE teacher who loved my job and was appreciated by colleagues and students alike. Then,with incorporation, profit drove decent management out and a bullying regime took over. I spoke up against some if the injustices perpetrated against teaching staff: immediately I was subject to bullying attempts to get rid of me. Lots of staff left but I stuck it out. The stress was awful; I wish I had left before my health was badly affected. I had to be signed off by my GP for weeks. I returned to my job, but my autonomic system failed ( owing to living on adrenalin) and now, in retirement I have to cope with symptoms that negatively affect my everyday life. Leave your job before it wrecks your mental and physical health completely.

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Imperfect27 Thu 14-Jan-16 19:52:44

Thank you Jaxie, - that is a salutary warning that I am heeding smile. I am sorry you have had a similarly bruising experience. I know //I need to self - preserve.

x

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Elrel Fri 15-Jan-16 01:52:15

There is a teachers' support telephone line. I don't know whether it existed when I needed it and don't have the phone number. Apparently they get a lot of calls, you won't be surprised to know that!
That line, or your union, should be able to advise about the 'unfit to teach' situation. I always thought that term only applied to people who had to leave the profession for misconduct of some kind, not illness.

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Imperfect27 Fri 15-Jan-16 07:39:01

Thanks Elrel. I have consulted my union in the past as we were having a very high amount of unannounced walk-in observations and poor feedback that was only ever negative. They were helpful in pointing out my rights then and I have intended to ask them about my exit plan. What is emerging is that my boss will not let me know if I can leave on Feb 12th - according to HR , she is hedging her bets because there hasn't been much take-up over the job applications. Interviews are not for another week yet, but I am beginning to need to know so that I can apply to agencies / other jobs. I am wondering if I have any rights in this matter as I am asking to go early.

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