Whats your opinion on mental health rest days off work as opposed to physical reasons to call in sick?

[Crimsyjo]

I rarely get physically ill but every couple of months I want to recharge and reset, deal with stress or just have a day. But I have to tell work I'm sick or flu. Do you think work places should be more understanding? Is it OK to take days off just because?

I actually do get paid sick pay in current job but I never used to but I'd still take a day or two off unpaid when needed.

[Lynx122]

I wish it was a thing. I had to make things up too when I was working because they didn't accept that I was mentally exhausted as a valid reason. And in the end it lead to a burnout and I had to quit the job. I knew that I wouldn't make it through the week if I went to work on a certain day I could feel it with 100% certainty so I called in but it was always a struggle to talk to the boss. People don't really care about your struggles you have to find a socially acceptable way to get what you need. So sometimes I'd have to take the whole week off and say I'm sick because she found that more believable than just 1 day. It's a joke. I'm glad I don't have to play those games anymore now that I have disability.

[Crimsyjo]

Yes exactly!!! I often think I want just one day bit then feel like if your gonna do it you have to make most of it because they not going to believe you were ill or that it was worthy of a day off if one day your pale and exhausted then next, after a day off, all bright and bushy eyed again.
It's terrible lying. It's like when I broke with my boyfriend and spent two weeks crying I had to take one week off. And couldn't say why. Even when I went back it was like another month before I even said I has broken up with my boyfriend as I didn't want them tracing the incident back to my time off.

[Lynx122]

that sucks :(

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

My opinion is that maximum productivity is the world's mission since a century and more, as in constantly offering more products and services, apparently because running out of trinkets is unacceptable. Maintaining productivity at peak levels creates all sorts of mental health issues, which in turn decreases productivity.

Then productivity gets angry, rarely at itself though, most probably at its puppets. Well, I suppose productivity isn't able to think reasonably, much too passionate for that.

[Abbycado]

I don't think that should be an issue, especially unpaid as you mentioned.

[AI Opinion]

Taking mental health rest days is important and can be as vital as taking a sick day for physical health reasons. Regularly addressing stress and mental fatigue can enhance overall well-being and productivity. Workplaces should indeed be more understanding and acknowledge the importance of mental health. Open conversations around mental health foster a supportive work environment, allowing employees to recharge without stigma. It is acceptable to take days off to manage mental health, as it contributes to long-term efficiency and satisfaction in work and personal life. Prioritizing mental health can lead to happier, more engaged employees.

[talentedclock]

That's what the sick days are for. As long as you aren't taking more days off than you have available, there isn't a problem.

Some companies will try to get in your business, but that isn't their concern. Every time I ever called out, whether it was for physical illness or just stress relief I always keep it brief "I'm too sick to come into work today. Goodbye." That's all they need to know.

Ideally, what would be best for both of you is to ask for the occasional unpaid or paid time off spaced out every month or two in advance. This way you get the occasional 3 or 4 day weekend to relax and your company doesn't have to deal with trying to find people to cover for you. I've been doing this at my most recent company and it's done a great job at keeping me from getting burnt out and my boss appreciates that I haven't called out sick once in two years.

But I can't stress enough, use your time off, it's part of your total compensation. If you are sick, call out sick. If you want a vacation, take a vacation. If you want the occasional unpaid 3 day weekend to unwind, ask for it off. The boss will whine, but 99/100 I've been given every bit of time off I've requested, no questions asked. And if they're being unreasonable, find a job that will be reasonable.

[Purpleronnie]

I quite agree that what you’re stating as the reason is arbitrary as it won’t change the outcome. In my opinion employers know this too but there is a stigma and lack of awareness / realization / acceptance around the need to change the language used because of the effect it may have the trend in workplace absence which would likely only increase the cost burden on the company and likely the overall productivity of the team.


Just play the game like everyone else does. Little point pushing an agenda for change in language which is completely trivial when the net effect could be very negative for both the company and the employee. I. e paid sick days are good 👍, people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones 😂

[DryGermanGuy]

It's very slowly changing, but from what I hear, most companies still don't react too well to any hints of mental health problems. So it's better to feign something physical.

[Crimsyjo]

Agreed! Especially as my manager lacks any empathy what so other. She made someone come back to work after going hospital with an eye condition that caused sudden blindness. Obv that employer should have refused but still.
She also accused an employee who had worked at the company for about 20 years of maybe getting dementia and forced her to go for tests. The woman was menopausal and not very high I. Q but had been a cleaner in the job and very helpful many years. She just struggled with new I. T systems coming into play and the stress was making her memory worse. She ended up taking early retirement but it was disgusting treatment by the manager who has been boss less than two years.

[DryGermanGuy]

What a disgusting person, that is downright mobbing.

[Crimsyjo]

I know. She's like a robot with wanting to tick all the boxes and follow procedures (or cover up not doing so) and not interested in anyone's tales of woe. I'm not looking forward to phoning in sick. But that's why I'll just keep it clinical. No emotion.

[kellytheman]

I do feel mental health is more important than physical health because you work production suffers if your over stressed and losing focus. Myself I am bit of a workaholic and never take sick days ( but I don’t get sick) but I do take a week paid vacation every year just to take a break from work.

[SamIam96]

I take off “mental health” days when I need it. It’s just as important as a physical illness.

[exitseven]

I worked in a place where I had a lot of sick days. Sometimes if I just wanted to hang out at the beach or go take in a movie or just get caught up on yard chores I would call in sick.

[CubaPirate]

I was on paid sick leave for mental health issues for a few months

[genericname85]

I feel like the more people fo to therapists, the more people get sick xD

[Agape93]

That's why you have PTO