Hello All,
I have been in stress due to work for months and have decided to take stress leave. Have never been in situation before so want to seek help if anyone has taken leave from workplace. I went to my GP and he gave me only one week. He told he can give only one week at a time. I wanted to get 6 weeks. Is there anyone I can visit that can give me upto 6 weeks. Is it too much for stress leave or it is normal to take. I have enough sick leaves, I may as well use it when I really need to rest.
TIA!
Stress Leave: How Many Weeks Is Normal
kthara on 29/08/2020 - 14:07
Comments
Edit - I do wonder if there's a loop hole where you can mix it with recreational leave, add seeing different doctors and you might get your total 6 weeks.
Not at one you won't, also that is kind of rorting it. Would not look favourable on you at all.
Go-to another gp if he or she the same thing perhaps that's the usual thing. Sorry to hear about your issues.
Do you mean stress leave under work cover or from your sick leave balance?
Read the post, he said stick leave.
Have you thought about talking to your workplace about your stress? See if there are other alternatives (4 day week, lesser duties etc?)
If I had an employee come to me with such concerns I'd be sure to help them out as quick as I could. But if I had an employee just up and take six weeks of leave because "work is too stressful" then I'd be pretty annoyed and I'd be weighing up my options.
I'm not saying your stress isn't work related or real, but you need to sit down and talk with your boss.
Otherwise you'll go back in six weeks and nothing would have changed… Or the only thing that will change is the boss and management looking if you role is actually required which will no doubt just increase your stress levels.
"I have enough sick leaves, I may as well use it when I really need to rest."
Sick leave isn't rest leave. That's annual leave.
Considering that OP wants to quit their job, I doubt they're going to chat to their employer about their mental health …
The OP actually states they plan on depleting all their leave and then leave the company in that post.
Agree with your entire post, aside from the idea that you shouldn't use sick leave for a mental health day if it's actually necessary. Surely the point is you're not well and working would make you more sick? I'm talking about a day though, not 6 weeks.
Is stress leave a new type of loophole to get paid leave without using annual leave and sick leave?
It uses your sick leave doesn't it?
Accidental neg btw. Won't let me undo it
You can undo a neg on a comment, by clicking "votes" under the comment, then clicking the "x" next to your name.
Things you learn. Thanks!
Is it possible that the OP's doctor sees it as a mild case of stress and prescribed accordingly?
OP 6 weeks is a big break. What makes you think 6 weeks is the appropriate period?
That is a huge cost to your company
Indeed. In my place, someone just took up the stress leave (no such leave so most likely combination of sick leave, AL, and probably LSL) right at financial year end… the busiest time of the year and now on week 8-9.
Although I think there should be constant dialogue but from experience taking "stress leave" is a career ending step.
So if OP wants to take 6 weeks, then be prepared to be "managed out". 1 or 2 weeks I think is fine although depending on timing.
Good luck OP.
Because they stated in their other post that they have that much leave left and they want to quit thereafter
I was fortunate enough to have a GP who was helpful with my mental health issues, but I think the psychologist I am seeing right now helped me the most.
So I'd recommend talking with a psychologist, they'd probably walk you through some of the ways that you could manage your stress better as well as many other things that might be helpful.
Talking with a GP about mental health care plan can take some of the financial burdens away as well.You see them for longer (55 minutes for normal consultation if I remember correctly), so you'd be able to talk to them about your problems without feeling you are rushed.
Anyways, good luck with your problems and hope you are doing fine.Yup what would trained medical professionals know, fight the power 🤣
GPs can be… hit or miss with a lot of things. Mental health issues in my opinion are one of them, since it's not just, here is readings on your blood and it says this.
Not saying they have no knowledge on it or they are not professionals, I am just saying that mental health issues are finnicky things that you can't normally rush in and get diagnosed. Even just starting on a mental health care plan with a GP, where they just do questionaires and assessments, they recommend double sessions. And then you do sessions with a psychologist or someone, then spend about a session on assessment.
Anyways, second opinion wouldn't be a bad choice is all I am saying.
Nothing wrong with 2nd opinion, going in demanding or expecting 6 weeks 🤣
Should of also asked for an oxycodone script too
I don't know what kind of environment OP went through, I don't judge him/her for wanting to take a long break.
Burn-out syndrome is a thing for a reason.@iridiumstem: If OP actually needed the 6 weeks, the doctor would of given them 6 weeks
Going in and asking for the 6 weeks, just means youre trying to cheat the system
OP scum af 🤷♂️
@[Deactivated]: GPs can be very hit or miss as I said before.
Yes, they are trained professionals, but they see you for 15 minutes, they are rushed and overworked right now (COVID 19 and all).
I had issues with one of mine, had to change my GP to my current one who I think is good.As I said, mental health issues, bit finnicky. Hence why I suggested OP should see a psychologist.
OP might feel like they need 6 weeks, and the psychologist might agree, or might not agree.
At least OP would be seeing someone who's actually specialised in the field about the issue for a reasonable amount of time.
I took stress leave from my job several years ago. The doctor suggested 7 days. I took a week and then went back, but the doctor was annoyed - she meant 7 working days. In the end I was diagnosed with Major Depression and Anxiety, quit the job, and have never worked since.
My point is there is NO blanket answer to this. Everyone is different. One week may be plenty, but six weeks may not be enough. If you are suffering with mental illness, level with your GP and get a referral to a psychologist. I hope you are luckier than me…
Consisting that there's thousands and thousands of people without work atm you should consider yourself lucky you even have a job and maybe suck it up?
I'd love to be stressed out from working but some of us don't have that privilege.
I hear this a lot. ‘Suck it up’ is never helpful advice, especially where mental health is concerned.
What about where you spill all the topping from a microwavable sticky date pudding?
check out doctors who bulk bill and handle worker's comp claims. a gp can give up to 2 mths I think, a psych can give 3 months. get a good worker's comp lawyer. the HR do not like stress leave cases and the chips are against you if you trust HR to act in your interests and not the company's. some unions have welfare oficers who may finally get a lwyer or you, only to make you settle the case, as they do not have funds. be careful. life is better than a job which may kill you in the end. get psych and psychological help and prepare your legal case . we are lucky? when we have a job which dehumanises us and live in society where we cannot have other options? respect your self. our capitalist society and the businesses they support are flawed and exploitative. seek balance. it is hard to fight without professional support. get it, medical, legal, etc.
Take your sick leave. See the doctor every week to extend it as you need to, it will be a short 10 minute appointment.
This the correct approach.
OP sounds like they just want to get paid out sick leave entitlements before they leave, which stinks of bad attitude. (Especially when this is a follow up post to "how do I leave job".
I've known people who legitimately have taken stress leave, which has continued until all leave entitlements are consumed, then eventually resigned. Unless something changes on the employer's side, the stress only gets worse so this is the inevitable conclusion.
And it's a better solution btw. I was in a stressful job some decades ago, so I found a better job. But because I didn't seek medical attention, I am still dealing with the neck issues that resulted from the stress.
I would agree with the doctor's approach here as an uninvolved observer. If one's stress does not reduce after 1-2 weeks of leave it will likely require more and different kind of help rather than just taking more leave (i.e. mental health appointments with qualified professional, which are nothing scary, but not GP field of work). OP, I understand that your employer does not treat you exactly right which caused this stressful situation, but trying to game the system in return, by taking all 6 weeks on one go, for example, even with good intentions is not the best solution here in my humble opinion. Try to find your inner peace and calm with smaller steps for the better. I've put some suggestions in my previous comment, hope you had a chance to read and think about it. Sending you virtual hugs and wishing all the best.
6 weeks straight up is unreasonable, if you are not seeking help from GP/Councilor. It’s is likely he only gave you a week at a time to force you to see someone while you are taking leave.
You mention the stress is due to work. From the limited information it's hard to know if this is "normal level of expectations at work, but you find it stressful where others would not" or if this is "work that is way above expectation which any person would find too stressful".
If it's the latter this should be addressed to your manager or HR Dept at work to discuss the situation and may well end up as worker's compensation along with the amount of time off you need to recover. When you return the result should be that your job has been adjusted to remove what is causing the stress. Based on the fact that you said you have at least 6 weeks of sick-leave available to you it sounds like you have worked for your employer for many years so should be in a good position to have such a conversation as you and your employer should know each other very well.
If it's the former and it's no fault of your employer that you are stressed about your job and they have not done anything wrong, then I think there are two things you need to do:
1) See your GP and explain the situation and possibly see a counsellor to help. Take off the time they suggest and follow their plan of action.
2) Assess whether the job is really a job you can handle. Without knowing what the problem is there is a chance you are in a job that is just too difficult for the type of person you are or the skills/experience you have and you may need to quit the job and find a more appropriate one. Although that may not be easy, it may make a big difference to your health.Good luck.
Thank you very much for your advice Brendoo,
My story:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/560440#comment-9181836
Would probably have to see a specialist IMO, psychiatric doctor or other?
And honestly I can see why this is the case, if the doctor felt you need more then a week they'd need you to either come back to see how you're going or to see a specialist.