Signed off with Stress/Depression



Headingley Slog Fest said:
Ive been signed off with Work Related stress and depression for 3 months now as the pressure within the job got too much and it began to affect my working ability and personal life.

In the last few days I’ve had a job offer given to me by a company I’ve attempted to get into for years and finally I was offered a role within the company of which i feel is right up my street and plus the hours are better and the money is also better, so I’ve sent my notice in and stated for the benefit of my health that I don’t return to work.

My only worry is that my time signed off sick may come back and bite me when my new employer finds out about it, I’ve stated on my health questionnaire that I have suffered with depression but I’m sure my current company will inform them during the reference stage. My question is can it affect future opportunities having been signed off for a period of time?
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Others have quite rightly pointed out the legal side of it but it's also worth thinking that if a new company would look upon you unfavourabley for having depression, is it a company you would want to work for? I don't think it will be an issue for all the reasons stated above so go for it and good luck.
 
Headingley Slog Fest said:
Ive been signed off with Work Related stress and depression for 3 months now as the pressure within the job got too much and it began to affect my working ability and personal life.

In the last few days I’ve had a job offer given to me by a company I’ve attempted to get into for years and finally I was offered a role within the company of which i feel is right up my street and plus the hours are better and the money is also better, so I’ve sent my notice in and stated for the benefit of my health that I don’t return to work.

My only worry is that my time signed off sick may come back and bite me when my new employer finds out about it, I’ve stated on my health questionnaire that I have suffered with depression but I’m sure my current company will inform them during the reference stage. My question is can it affect future opportunities having been signed off for a period of time?
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Thanks for this lads. I have been struggling badly for a while with work place stress and been scared to be signed off for fear of the stigma. Some of the responses on here have made me realise it's not just me suffering.
 
I’ve mixed views on the subject, I feel for those with genuine cases but there are a number of arseholes who just take time off and waste GP’s time when there is nothing wrong with them.

Before anyone says anything I’ve had people tell me personally. It’s the new bad back for some but a whole lot better.
 
In your shoes I would go with my instinct. Which has already been shown by going for and successfully being offered a new role.

Employers are a lot more genned up on mental health and the effect it has. Not on the individual per se (though that is often the case) but potential repercussions for them if they look unfavourably upon someone with the condition.

Hopefully you will feel all the better for it and also get help and support with your job. We are also open here 24/7 with a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Best of luck in your new job and hopefully it's the beginning of feeling great about yourself again. Be kind to yourself.
 
joemcdokes said:
I’ve mixed views on the subject, I feel for those with genuine cases but there are a number of arseholes who just take time off and waste GP’s time when there is nothing wrong with them.

Before anyone says anything I’ve had people tell me personally. It’s the new bad back for some but a whole lot better.
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its also f***ing horrific if you do have it. My sister in law has just gone through 18 months of cancer treatment and has said she would rather have cancer than depression.
 
The Hesford Diet said:
In your shoes I would go with my instinct. Which has already been shown by going for and successfully being offered a new role.

Employers are a lot more genned up on mental health and the effect it has. Not on the individual per se (though that is often the case) but potential repercussions for them if they look unfavourably upon someone with the condition.

Hopefully you will feel all the better for it and also get help and support with your job. We are also open here 24/7 with a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Best of luck in your new job and hopefully it's the beginning of feeling great about yourself again. Be kind to yourself.
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Aye I feel the SMB is a better counselling environment then any specialist, it’s always better to talk to other people who have suffered with it.

joemcdokes said:
I’ve mixed views on the subject, I feel for those with genuine cases but there are a number of arseholes who just take time off and waste GP’s time when there is nothing wrong with them.

Before anyone says anything I’ve had people tell me personally. It’s the new bad back for some but a whole lot better.
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It’s the feeling that you think there’s nothing wrong with you then you realise there is, the main symptom for me was having a split second of motivation and then it suddenly disappears into thin air, I spoke about my discontent about my job on here and how I felt that was a main factor teamed with other things, but with this new job offer and the prospect of having my first Xmas off without work for 6 years, it’s given me something to aim for and get me up and motivated for.
 
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Headingley Slog Fest said:
Aye I feel the SMB is a better counselling environment then any specialist, it’s always better to talk to other people who have suffered with it.


It’s the feeling that you think there’s nothing wrong with you then you realise there is, the main symptom for me was having a split second of motivation and then it suddenly disappears into thin air, I spoke about my discontent about my job on here and how I felt that was a main factor teamed with other things, but with this new job offer and the prospect of having my first Xmas off without work for 6 years, it’s given me something to aim for and get me up and motivated for.
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I adjust my tolerance levels daily, thing is if I have an issue I tell them, even if nothing gets done it makes me feel better.
Bottling stuff up at work just sticks fuel on the fire.
 
Apologies to the OP for taking this on a slightly different direction but... On this subject how have people got on with the trade-off between career progression and extra stress?

Even though mentally I'm in a good place I have a stress-exacerbated condition that sometimes kicks off when I have a series of long hours and tight deadlines (Over weeks not days, I can handle the brief peaks fine). My concern is that if I get promoted there'll be tighter deadlines and longer hours again.

Without sounding too arrogant I'm confident in my ability to be able to do the next pay grade and am well regarded by those above, I'm just afraid that it could have a health impact if I do make the leap. Has anyone else been in this position and had to make the same choice?
 
NorthCountryBoy said:
Apologies to the OP for taking this on a slightly different direction but... On this subject how have people got on with the trade-off between career progression and extra stress?

Even though mentally I'm in a good place I have a stress-exacerbated condition that sometimes kicks off when I have a series of long hours and tight deadlines (Over weeks not days, I can handle the brief peaks fine). My concern is that if I get promoted there'll be tighter deadlines and longer hours again.

Without sounding too arrogant I'm confident in my ability to be able to do the next pay grade and am well regarded by those above, I'm just afraid that it could have a health impact if I do make the leap. Has anyone else been in this position and had to make the same choice?
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Always hard to advise mate but what's made me ill has been the step up coupled with moving to a new place with a totally different way of working. I think the step up on it's own would have been ok. We're all different though I suppose.
 
lawe toppa said:
Don't think they can mate as stress/depression is classed as a disability which they can't discriminate against. To be honest most of references are just bog standard...I.e so and so worked here from....until....

I'm in the same boat at the moment but have applied for lots of jobs just havnt got 1 yet. Hope all goes well for you mate
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Does a prospective employer have to tell you why you have not been successful in your application?
 
Sir Humphrey said:
Thanks for this lads. I have been struggling badly for a while with work place stress and been scared to be signed off for fear of the stigma. Some of the responses on here have made me realise it's not just me suffering.
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It’s a massive issue for a massive amount of people.

I’m going to stick my neck out here and I’m expecting some shite. It’s ok quoting the law but how many on here would employ someone who is experiencing mental health problems ( any type) or has a significant history? It’s a totally different situation if you start to have problems when you are employed there than when you go for a job. I understand that it might be accepted in some roles but there not many employers imo would want to deal with it. I might be very wrong but I’m sure I’d find something else to justify not employing someone, mental heath or even a physical issue if I felt it could hurt the company.
I’m sorry if this is wrong or touched a nerve
 
cornish mackem said:
It’s a massive issue for a massive amount of people.

I’m going to stick my neck out here and I’m expecting some shite. It’s ok quoting the law but how many on here would employ someone who is experiencing mental health problems ( any type) or has a significant history? It’s a totally different situation if you start to have problems when you are employed there than when you go for a job. I understand that it might be accepted in some roles but there not many employers imo would want to deal with it. I might be very wrong but I’m sure I’d find something else to justify not employing someone, mental heath or even a physical issue if I felt it could hurt the company.
I’m sorry if this is wrong or touched a nerve
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It’s a fair comment. As a manager, you rely heavily on the contributions of direct reports, obviously. I’d be surprised if it wasn’t considered as a negative, off the record at least. If someone was a stand out candidate it may not be a stopper but if everything else is equal, it potentially would be. Just my view on the current harsh reality.
 
cornish mackem said:
It’s a massive issue for a massive amount of people.

I’m going to stick my neck out here and I’m expecting some shite. It’s ok quoting the law but how many on here would employ someone who is experiencing mental health problems ( any type) or has a significant history? It’s a totally different situation if you start to have problems when you are employed there than when you go for a job. I understand that it might be accepted in some roles but there not many employers imo would want to deal with it. I might be very wrong but I’m sure I’d find something else to justify not employing someone, mental heath or even a physical issue if I felt it could hurt the company.
I’m sorry if this is wrong or touched a nerve
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I was going to post similar but didn't want to depress anyone. That's not a wisecrack by the way.
 
cornish mackem said:
It’s a massive issue for a massive amount of people.

I’m going to stick my neck out here and I’m expecting some shite. It’s ok quoting the law but how many on here would employ someone who is experiencing mental health problems ( any type) or has a significant history? It’s a totally different situation if you start to have problems when you are employed there than when you go for a job. I understand that it might be accepted in some roles but there not many employers imo would want to deal with it. I might be very wrong but I’m sure I’d find something else to justify not employing someone, mental heath or even a physical issue if I felt it could hurt the company.
I’m sorry if this is wrong or touched a nerve
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Thing is mate poor mental health affects about 1 in 4 people so unless you only have yourself and 2 others the chances are you are already employing / managing somone with mental health difficulties. Is it not better to know how to support people?
 
Sir Humphrey said:
Thing is mate poor mental health affects about 1 in 4 people so unless you only have yourself and 2 others the chances are you are already employing / managing somone with mental health difficulties. Is it not better to know how to support people?
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I fully get that. Having 1/4 of your grafters off sick if you employ a small number could break some firms.
 
Sir Humphrey said:
Thing is mate poor mental health affects about 1 in 4 people so unless you only have yourself and 2 others the chances are you are already employing / managing somone with mental health difficulties. Is it not better to know how to support people?
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Ideal world yes. Real world, we aren’t there yet
 

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