[Closed] Going off work with stress

That's a hard questions to answer! luckily I'm a genius so I should be able to 😉

are you a civil servant?

it seemed to be positively encouraged when I was there.

Just joking, I was in a lot of pain for a long time, infact I'm still in a lot of pain and my life is ****ing tough.

I need to work to pay for the treatments on my back and I need to rest and take it easy to recover mentally and physically from my injuries and the trauma of being in pain for so long, over 6 years 😯

So I come up with inventive ways to make myself feel better, I can't change what I have to go through but I can change how it affects me. There are a few things I do that help.

One is dancing, sometimes very energetic, sometimes just silly, sometimes corny, basically I just do what ever I want, as long as the music is good I find it relaxes me.

Another thing is to take time away from everything to sit or lie comfortably and relax, give yourself time to think things through and come to understand why they affect you the way they do, don't distract yourself with TV or computers or anything really, just quiet time for yourself.

Laughter is also very important, try to find the funny side in things and have a laugh when ever you can, stupid films or comedy DVD's.

There are a lot of things I do for stress but the bottom line is, all that is relative is what works for you.

If you harbour any ambitions with your current employer then no it's a bad idea

However if you've got to the point where it's making you ill do you really want to work there anyway.

Go see a doc, speak to your partner or mates, listen to what your mind/body is telling you and take the appropriate action.

Do it tomorrow

I don't know your situation, but i got made redundant early last year, got a new job fairly soon after. Put briefly, late summer the permanent job was still on a temp contract, spoke to boss again and again said it would get sorted, made decision to go. Started to look for work, had a few interviews( holiday booked to cover), i was also genuinely ill with a nasty cold and took a few days off. Bosses attitude was abusive unhelpful, even to the point of obstructive, i was getting down. Came to a head just before christmas and i walked out.

I am now owed a weeks pay which they are refusing to pay which is a pisser, and am rather at a loss as to what to do about that.

Anyway I feel a lot better now, i had no work for two months which basically finished off my redundancy cheque but am in a temp job now which is just about keeping my head above water. But mentally much happier, nicer boss, less stress etc.

If you are getting down, i would say at some point you are going to have to jump, the question is whether you have a job to go to first. In the current market place there are alot of candidates and not alot of good jobs. But mental health is worth a lot more than money.

Honesty is always the best policy generally, but perhaps 2-3 days with a bad stomach, have a think about things, relax a bit, talk to friends for some advice. Do you have any kind of employee counselling service ? Try not to accelerate things if you don't have to. You boss may not even have noticed.

Get yourself signed off and have a break. No point in killing yourself in a job.

What doctor will sign someone off with stress just because they can't do their job?

And of course they may put you on SSP which won't help you...

Go to work. Anything less is theft. You can always quit if you don't want to work.

Fire me an email it's in my profile not talking on here.

What doctor will sign someone off with stress just because they can't do their job?

Thats rather ignorant, of course your GP will sign you off with stress especially if it makes you feel unwell, happened to a friend of mine, I arranged to meet him for coffee and a few beers and to go out on rides to help his recovery, he wanted to go back to work but his GP wouldnt let him until he was satisfied.

You need to speak to your HR representative urgently. Under normal circumstances most people would talk to their boss, but understandably this isn't an option for you - don't forget though that your boss is still human and would probably be mortified if they knew you were feeling like this.

You have nothing to lose by speaking to someone else - they can't get rid of you for making mistakes. Just make sure your nose is squeaky clean when it comes to things like internet/email usage etc - don't give them an opportunity for using it as an opportunity for sacking you for "gross misconduct" (i.e. an excuse).

Stress is a recognised industrial illness mf all employers have a rsponsibilty to monitor for it, don't be so flippant. It's comments like oh you can't do your job boohoo and such pathetic remarks that just make it worse.

Shakes head at M_F. There is a place to troll and this thread isn't it.

Sorry but I don't see it that way - he has issues with a new boss and a new working practice. It isn't stress (unless I am mis-reading the OP) he is just wanting to use it as an excuse not to go in.

I appreciate stress can be brought on by your work and yes an employer has a responsibility to ensure they do what they can to help. But the OP isn't talking to anyone at his work, just wanting to walk away.

And apologies to the OP if I HAVE mis-understood what they are asking.

Sorry but I don't see it that way - he has issues with a new boss and a new working practice. It isn't stress (unless I am mis-reading the OP) he is just wanting to use it as an excuse not to go in.

I appreciate stress can be brought on by your work and yes an employer has a responsibility to ensure they do what they can to help. But the OP isn't talking to anyone at his work, just wanting to walk away.

Which is causing him stress same as my friend his boss was coming down hard on him even though his team was preforming as they should, friendly chats with his boss and meetings did no good and added to his stress levels. What the heck do you think stress is you idiot.

Cobstructive use of insults - I'm impressed with your eloquence 🙁

To be fair to M_F, the original post does sound more like a whinge than stress and I took it the same way. However, I didn't want to make the remark that M_F did in case I'd misunderstood/the OP hadn't really explained it very well.

Looks clear cut stress to me.

The STW forum can always rely on druidh to speak 100% sense...

Fair enough drac - didn't come across like that for me.

Thanks all. First step is going to take a few days hol. Have just come to an end of a major job am working on. So shall take advantage of some time to think things through and decide a course of action and do enjoyable stuff like riding. And then see if I can face work or not and whether I should go to the docs.

I know I can't carry on like this. As just dealing with the usual ups and downs of the job is getting to me.

Whilst I see the point about my boss not realising but I am a believer that even if inexperience you still have a natural way with people. And they haven't. First managerial role and they are more concerned with further career progression. So any failings on my behalf and a whiff of me not achieving my objectives will somehow affect them.

Anyway thanks again as it's just nice to hear some support and the going to the docs is not such a bad thing.

Being in a not dissimilar situation right now, I'm tempted to say that if it's a considered option, maybe taking time off with stress isn't the best idea. It can be difficult to get your current employer to see past it or explain it away to a new boss.

The wife is currently telling me it's something I should consider as it's easier to explain away than planting one on your boss.

It's a tough call to make simply because once you cross that bridge, it's really difficult to come back over it.

Difficult one......but it sounds almost intollerable so could be best to save what sanity you have left.

I did something similar years back and it was the best thing i did BUT it makes it almost impossible to go back and difficult to explain to perspective employers why you left, etc

Whatever you decide, i hope it goes well and all the best for the future.

There really are some sanctimonious characters on here, Op has a new boss who has changed his working practice and causing him grief and added pressure to his working life so he's made mistakes that has led to stress, he needs time to sort himself out, that's not unreasonable, unlike you supermen 🙄

It is a difficult one. Work should not make you ill either physically or mentally. However time off sick with stress never looks good on a CV.

I have been stressed out in jobns and quit - and boy did I feel better immediatly.

If you can avoid going off sick then I would thenk that for the bnest - but you must do something to get the stress under control.

How long are you in post for? - more than a years service gives you some protection. Do you have an HR dept? Can you take a weeks holiday immediatly?

Stress is something no-one can comment on unless it has affected them IMHO.
I seriously hope anyone who is negative towards it never has the misfortune of it happening to them.
Its frigging horrible, how do I know? Its currently got me! Mine isnt work related though, I have had a sheer amount of personal tragedy hit me in a matter of a week. Its knocked me for 6. I have gone
from captain happy go lucky to an anxious mess. Hopefully time and family support will get me through it.
Dont be afraid to admit your broken, I left it too late and regret it now.

are you a civil servant?

it seemed to be positively encouraged when I was there.

hmmm, that explains my brother in laws tendency to go off with his version of stress......strangely it also coincides with his wife's holidays from work (she's a teacher) 🙄

Unfortunately I had a bad experience with stress/depression, most people were supportive however the a'hole of a boss I had didn't see it the same way and my contract was terminated.....all i'm saying is that everyones experience is different, just make sure you back yourself up to the point of being bulletproof. Also as you'll no-doubt be looking for another job, they'll want to know why you were off sick. Best to be 100% honest to cover your back

(i may be a little more suspicious than most, but bad experiences made me this way, don't want to scare you but it's best to have all the facts, we live in a poo society unfortunately)

The thing I find hardest in that situation is searching for another job. It's possibly the hardest thing to do when you're feeling so down trodden. It does leave you feeling horribly trapped. Made worse by the fact that my boss who's the problem, is sleeping with his boss, who's also a problem. Oh yeah, the guy above those two is spineless as well just to make matters worse!

I have no hesitation in taking time off with stress, but it is not something I take lightly.

I had my first full on "nervous breakdown" 5 years ago, the result of chronic stress. I was off work for 9 weeks. I have never properly recovered and the episode triggered bi-polar disorder. Not typical for a 40 year old, although perhaps there were signs in my teens and mid to late 20's.

Since then I have had two further major episodes where I have been too ill to work and taken time out typically 4-6 weeks, but really every day is a major struggle.

Bottom line is look after your mental health. The mind doesn't seem to heal as well as other organs/limbs etc.

A few things I would comment on from my own experience:
1. Go speak to HR and make them aware how you feel, be constructive and positive and ask for their help (rather than make it a whinge about your boss - they're more likely to support you)
2. Consider chatting to the doc, if only to see what he/she says - they may or may not sign you off but you can bet your bottom dollar they've seen more of this than you have and will be able to offer sensible advice. Mine said quite bluntly 'it's only a job' which was really quite helpful...
3. You're not required to put time off for stress on your CV - it's your document. Mine simply shows that I started with that company in November 2004 and left Feb 2007. The fact that the last 2 weeks of October 2006 were spent signed off sick doesn't appear... and why should it really if it was in response to a sh*tty situation in one particular job?

Hope it all works out. Stress is often misunderstood IME

From reading your first comment mastiles_fanylion you seem to be living in a different world from me, have you ever had a boss ? Or are you self employed / always been the boss ?

I was actually just wondering how many STW forumites were/ever had been a team leader/manager/boss?

Ever been in the situation when you've had to introduce change and there's always the "we don't do it that way" faction?

Or taken over a department and been met with "that's not the way XXXX used to do it?

Or the previous manager was "one of the lads" (usually having been promoted from with the department).

I'm not saying the OP is guilty of any of this (in fact I considered starting another thread) but there does seem to be a lack of ability to see both sides of a situation and the default STW reaction is to consider anyone who has risen above the level of the shop-floor to be some sort of evil dictator.

I was actually just wondering how many STW forumites were/ever had been a team leader/manager/boss?

Me and that's why I recognise the importance of recognising stress and that change is one if the causes.

It's a valid question. I can't remember the number but the percentage of people who manage other but have never been taught or trained to do so is frightening.

My wife got signed off work with stress this morning, The doctor has told her to take a week and then come back for another appointment. She has spent the last 4-5 months getting barely any sleep, struggling to find any way to switch off and arriving home from work in tears and shaking most days basically down to crap conditions and management (she's not the emotional type usually). Bottom line is, yes she could just try to battle through it for the sake of future work stuff but the reality is, the best gift she can give both me and any future employer is a whole, healthy person.

To the OP, if you're stressed, take the time out. Chances are you aren't doing your job to the best of your abilities anyway. And for what its worth, My wifes company are properly panicking. Not that we're going to but companies have been sued successfully in relation to stress related illness.

boohoo

druidh - Member
I was actually just wondering how many STW forumites were/ever had been a team leader/manager/boss?

Me - I have had several bosses jobs up to quite senior roles managing many staff.

I had to introduce change but managed it reasonably well. I hated being a manager tho so quit.

me hated it climbed back down the ladder. It is not easy and was a real eye opener being on the other side. i was not that good [bit lazy tbh] at it but I was good at recruting people who could do what was required and leave me alone whilst doing it.
Winning bids and generating new work was very stressful and let to constant change whihc is hard to manage as the staff wanted stability and the company could not offer it.

Good call, druid. People get stressed by the strangest things, especially if it spoils their 'h'aspirations. 😀

Stress is a dangerous situation that can tear you and your life apart,take it seriously.

Had a situ once where i managed a butchery dept cash n carry ,excellent t/o profit ,good relationship old style manager had salary so no over time option for pay, in summer we had to open 6 weeks of summer hols on sunday mornings for 4 hours.
Old manager was happy to give time in lieu on mon /tues afternoon as long as all was tidy n up together orders etc, n cutter to cover n be on call my self for advice /phone back up.
New manager/jumped up P k came in no people skills ,total ar.. e lickr and said your contract states you will work hours as required ,i want you in all six sundays and you will not get any time in lieu your on salary do it .
I said no not doing ,so went up to mngrs office shut door ,followed by colleages who filled buyers office next door ,listening intently.
Sat opposite and him n calmly stated my case n good record and said ok of course if there are any probs issues i would sort out ,had always been happy to help out stock takes etc ,no overtime etc etc. He sat back and said no you will do as i say i'm the manager now.
So i replied right ok then "YOU CAN TAKE THAT CONTRACT AND STICK IT WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE " AND JUST WALKED OUT ,closeing the door behind me ,to a cheer from the buyers office of" good on you Butch".
got my coat and collected my kit n went to the town n home.this was 11.30 on the monday morning and orders to depot etc had to be in by 12.deadline etc.
Following day tues went iN to be met by area mangr//area butcher mngr,
right we are doing a stock check ,you are suspended pending investigation,so i went home called union up arranged meeting,was called back for meeting 2 days later n told you have big losses on your department we are sackin you for gross misconduct.
I took to tribuneral n won my case for wrongfull dismissal,defamation of character as they accussed me of theft of 15k worth of meat.
The last laugh i had on them almost immeadiatly as the day following my suspension ,i had knock on my door n job offer from local turkey farmer to run a catering wholesale outfit for him and took most of their customers as i had all the local knowledge n customer trust/respect from the local hotel/pub trade.And the guy they hadput in to do my job knew no one and takings dropped for c&c from 12k per wk to barely 2k for that department .

All because the ar--li--k school of management doesn't teach PEOPLE SKILLS. 🙂

Stress is real.

Unfortunately in my own case I could not go off on the sick as selfemployed. Getting throught it now but I realise now that a month off a year ago would have saved me from the many hellish months over the last while.

My dad was a head of dept teacher and retired slightly early due to stress after collapsing at work. He is fine now also having to deal with cancer treatment (successful)

I am pretty convinced that he would not still be here if he had continued in his job.

There is a time when you need to take a break and recover.

Pault - with respect, your case isn't one of stress, just one of bad management. He was foolish in his actions and suffered because of it. Perhaps he went off with stress because of it though...

Stress is very real, I've been experiencing a lot of work based stress recently, but thankfully it seems to have calmed down a bit. I've never been a manager, but made a semi-conscious decision many years ago that I didn't want to progress down a management route. Glad I didn't now.

@ the OP, do you have access to an occupational health department via your employer?

Wife has had several episodes of stress/mental health related absence in the last couple of years mostly due to my illness, and her line manager was realistic enough to recognise that without help & support that they'd end up losing her for good - so they referred her to their occupational health provider, who in turn were able to refer her onto a service offering cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to see if she could cope with the stress better - 6 months down the line and the answer seems to be yes.

Count yourself lucky you have a job. If you sign off for 'stress' (I put it in inverted commas, as it's a hard illness to actually prove... and easy to fake/exploit) the when it comes to redundancies.... you will be the first on their list.

There will be 20 people willing to take your place, as they would put up with the 'stress' to support their families.

Seriously, MTFU or let someone else have your job.

xiphon - you are right "stress" is not an illness. It is generally a term GPs put on sick notes as an alternative to stating Depression/Anxiety. Check the NICE guidelines Depression and Anxiety are real illnesses.

IME experience people do not take time off work for stress, they take time off work because they are severely depressed and/or highly anxious, often the result of chronic stress. It doesn't take too much googling to see that there are clear physiological links between chronic stress and clinical depression.

They are ill. So ill in fact that they are not only unable to work, but they are unable to do anything. They can be unable to wash and shave, unable to eat, unable to do the simplest of tasks without becoming so exhausted whilst also acutely anxious.

Think of a being in a permanent state of panic 24 hours a day, no rest bite, where jumping in front of a train seems like a completely rationale choice as a means of putting and end to the intolerable pain that you are suffering.

Clearly you have never suffered in this way and I hope you never do, but to say things like consider yourself luck to have a job or MTFU just shows you up as being ignorant.

If its pressure in the work place, as opposed to stress, you can be in the driving seat with pressure. Break the situation down, work through it(maybe take some leave) or work with it if you love the job, or make the usual constructive steps to move on(esp if your boss is tool and you will be stuck in this relationship and you dont have a good team of co-workers around you). If it is stress that is staring to really have an impact on your general mental health start looking after yourself now. I've ignored it, and like GJP, have seen the hell of 24hr panic. No ones cv is more worthy than good mental health.

I think a lot of people are in the wrong job (I know I was).

Companies have a habit of turning the thumbscrews, but hoping nobody will pipe up and complain when they squeeze that bit more out of you for nothing in return. A few years of this equates to a real drop in income. We all thrive on a healthy balance of work pressure, but when the line is overstepped, then people start to feel the strain. Perhaps not straight away, but at some point down the line.

This sort of treatment kills loyalty and goodwill. An unhappy worker is damaging for business in many ways.

Competition is fierce and so it's par for the course for workers to be expected to make sacrifices to keep the operation viable. It's such a shame that there isn't a more equal pay structure and the minions were treated with more respect - terrible man management is commonplace here.

Business owners and managers take on a greater responsibility and their worries extend well outside 9-5. We have to bear this in mind, but when your years of mediocre pay and unwavering loyalty culminates in you being drop kicked out the door, it's difficult to get you head round the fact that all that effort and commitment was in vain. It's a deep insult!

Going forward, you adopt a "what's in it for me" attitude, which just isn't going to set your new employer on fire at the thought of retaining you in hard times. All rather unhealthy!

Then, years after the job has gone and you haven't been able to find any worthwhile job, you do wonder if you should have adopted a different approach to hang on to that high pressure thankless occupation.

Some people are just unlucky, in work, or without work. It can't be a bed of roses for us all, there's always a crock of sxxt to deal with and some get far more than their fair share.

It's symptomatic of an economy which presents too much red tape to business, too much taxation and when it is almost impossible for us to compete with the diminutive wages paid to people making things in the developing world.

We are in a proper mess caused by profligate public spending over a protracted period and reckless lending. Before that we were exposed to a big sell off and washing of hands of the responsibility of sorting out complex issues with our industry and utility companies. There was an obsession with the ideology that market forces would always prevail, but then we let any Tom Dick or Harry put in their bid and with no checks and balances regarding the longterm impact.

The coallition need to lower taxes, but they simply can't afford to. The UK is part way into a very long period of austerity and negligible economic growth. If you do have a job, you ARE in a better place than the unemployed millions who are suffering terribly. They are suffering feelings of no hope and desperation and face loosing their homes, marriages and worse! Life certainly isn't easy these days!

I really must keep off this site. Up until tonight, i've been doing quite well lately!

spongebob - what all that drivel has to do with stress related illness I know not

just ask tho how germany with its higher taxation and higher public spending than us is doing so much better? More red tape and more "barriers to business" as well

A contented worker is one that produces, a stressed and unhappy worker does not. Want high productivity treat your staff well. Thats the german lesson.

Xiphon are you stuck in the 80s along with MF, stress is very real. I've been doing my job for over 21yeaes now I can do it with my eyes shut. Yet here I am week 3 of being off with stress, I've worked on through for best part of a year. Now I really have little energy, I keep loosing my temper for the tiniest thing I'm crying over stupid things or when I feel like a looser.

I've taken time off work as I was not concentrating properly, becoming impatient with my staff and clients. It was a matter of time before I did something that got me into trouble. I'm lucky I have good support from my family, as soon as I told a few friends they started dragging me out on the bike. Add that my employer provides counselling I know will get there ebentually.

A company who makes reduntant someone who is/was off with stress has to be very carefull. And your wrong it can be diagnosed and the fake ones spotted. Get up to date will you it even comes under HSE now.

So much for not saying anything on here.

Drac - despite what I have said, you continue to think I don't think stress is real. I know it is but I was simply questioning the OP motives - WERE they really stressed or using it as an easy excuse to duck their responsibilities as an employee.

Aye sorry MF you did explain later on, kind of forgot whilst reading xiphon's bullshit.

I'm not sure getting signed off with stress is your solution for this one.

If you do that you're going to have a nice break, enjoy the first part and start panicing about returning about half way through. Nothing will change this way.

Take a break with your holidays now and when you return SPEAK TO SOMEONE.

Your manager is obviously new in the job and trying to impress. That's understandable but they obviously are going about it the wrong way. When things settle down they'll probably look back and realise that.

If you can't speak to your manager, speak to their manager. If not them then HR or your union. You never know, they might be able to move you to another team. It is of no benefit of them to have you underperforming and off sick.

Get it on the record that you feel like this then if it doesn't get better and you're off sick they are completely to blame.

I know how difficult it can be to speak up sometimes but with the way it is now, what harm can it do?????

Loads of info here too.

And yes going off can mean it's hard to go back.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/

kind of forgot whilst reading xiphon's bullshit.

Stevenmtb is spot on, you need to raise the issue with someone if you can't talk to your line manager then his or HR. That way there's records, I made the mistake of not but that's what came with working on so long in the end I just had enough. I'll be going back though as I do enjoy my job but not of late.

I think that there is a very fine line between being pissed off and being stressed, and I guess sometimes the two are easily confused!

It is a hard subject to debate.

Take the time for me. You shouldn't have to tollerate this #### culture.
If I could I would have, but being self employed meant I couldn't. For the last year I've been fighting bankruptcy and bailifs, looking after a very ill and demanding wife, looking after two kids,generally fighting to keep my home and familly.I worked day and night to pay the 98k stolen from me, even suffering a nasty accident at work and not taking s single day off except sundays
I'm one month away from being totally sorted and totally debt free. So do what needs be, the system is ####.
Take care

It can be faked quite easily, and I know this from experience. As a test to see how easy it can be, off I go to the doctors, and tell them an imaginary story about how I feel, and how work is building up so much 'stress' within me, etc etc.

10 minutes later, I have a sick note for 3 weeks off.

Do I take it? No, but I could have had a nice holiday in the sun.

So I'm not stuck in the 80s, but in the 10s, where people have an attitude to do as little as possible - any opportunity to [paid] time off work, and they would grab it.

Forgetting those who would work night and day to support their family, in times like these, where they could be made redundant tomorrow.

I stand by my original post - MTFU (and be thankful you have a job) or quit, and give someone who actually wants to work the opportunity.

Hmm I know of people who confuse tiredness with stress. I know someone that takes a lot of time off due to stress. But as I said to him, you take weeks of due to stress, you have a very generous holiday entitlement, you work reasonably short hours, you can stop everything for lunch and yet when your not there no one misses you and your work gets done, so are you sure it's stress?
Edit: Ooh I ranted a wee bit in my previous post.

Xiphon your talking utter rubbish or your Dr isn't too great, have you seen a sick note of late and what it actually says?

I think not.

have you seen a sick note of late and what it actually says?

EDIT - and of course you are kinda backing up one of my original posts where I said a doctor won't just sign you off because you can't do your job - unless the patient is very clever, the doctors can normally work out who has stress/depression/anxiety and those who are just swinging the lead.

Another for M'ingTFU here I'm afraid.

Well yes MF I'm not denying there's those that will try it on but that doesn't mean we tell those that need help to MTFU no matter how cool it makes you think.

They're more descriptive then they once were as it explains if employer can do an alternative duty rather than just be off.

They are called "Fit Notes" now - keep up !

Or Statement of Fitness to Return To Work. It is supposed to herald a whole new attitude of wellness.

Well yes MF I'm not denying there's those that will try it on but that doesn't mean we tell those that need help to MTFU no matter how cool it makes you think.

They're more descriptive then they once were as it explains if employer can do an alternative duty rather than just be off

As a Line Manager MF I deal with employee side too so know where your coming from, I'm also at the worst position as as I'm a first line manager. Neither one of the 'lads' or a manager it can be pain trying to do the best of both. It's the work load, management side of disciplinarys, being a good guy and a bad guy, pressure at home as I look after the kids on my days off and then there was the carry one with my Father last year which is slowly settling although he's still not and never will be well. It all got too much for me I MTFU as long as so I could to assist other members off staff with problems and to get through the winter as the weather put huge amounts of pressure on the service.

I didn't want to go off but felt I had no choice if I was going to get my self sorted and that's where I am at getting self sorted, work will wait for me to get back and they will offer me support where I need it.

🙄

Do you think there are more cases of people going off with stress in jobs where there is a nice structure to give you xx weeks of paid time off?

I work for a small company that couldnt support me having 6 months off with stress so it would take alot for me to get to a point where I would let them down.

Perhaps in bigger organisations or public sectors there is more oppurtunity for people to play the system which kind of tars genuine people with the same brush.

Hard to say Maxray but possibly yes but that goes for any illness.

I work for a small company that couldnt support me having 6 months off with stress so it would take alot for me to get to a point where I would let them down.

Perhaps in bigger organisations or public sectors there is more oppurtunity for people to play the system which kind of tars genuine people with the same brush

If I get stressed I take a holiday. If the job is too much for me I'll find a different job.

I don't understand the concept of going off sick/signed off for long periods.

Thats not me being insensitive.

There's a bit more to than than though Hora, yeah holidays might work at times but not always.

Probably a first but I sort of know where you are coming from there Hora.