What’s your take on an individual taking sick leave from work to work out some stress ?

Question

I’m concerned how my peers will judge me.

Lynx122 · Accepted Answer

I'm disabled and I definitely recommend doing that. The one time I didn't prioritize my mental health above everything else I had a burnout depression and suicidal thoughts. But usually I do that and it has worked out well for me. Well I'm lucky because I live in a country where I can live on disability but it's still important to do that no matter where you live. If you don't stand up for your needs people will just assume things are fine and keep giving you work or responsibilities or expect things from you etc. It's not until you say I'm not moving until I can figure out this problem until people actually pay attention and care that there's something wrong with you. You have to make yourself a problem to get help with your problems. If you keep functioning normally even when you're melting down internally nobody will care. Having a bad day? Everybody has bad days.

The words don't really exist in our language to differentiate between just being tired like a normal person or how exhausted I felt when I was working a full time job. Nobody will understand the difference unless you force them to. It's a lot more important for happiness to live in a situation that fits your needs and abilities than to make a lot of money or to live up to peoples expectations.

In school everybody thought I was a genius and could do anything I wanted to, now I'm at an art studio working only mornings not getting paid but I'm a lot happier and healthier than when I was trying to work a real job.

I might have additional factors besides autism that tired me out they're running tests on me atm to figure that out. But that doesn't really matter what matters is how you feel. How much can you take on comfortably? When are you at or over your limit? And how long are you staying there?

If you can't fit everything in then you have to think about changing your job or sacrificing other things but usually the job is what gets in the way the most and defines how much energy you have for the rest of your life.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Honestly I think it’s a bunch of bs. You know I use to work in mainly male dominated fields up until the last 5 years. A majority of the men never called in unless it was something serious. Now that I work in an all dominated female work force, it’s almost every week women are calling out for these so called “mental health days.” Like really wtf you work 6 days every two weeks, paid for 80 but work 72 hours. You have 8 days off but you still need mental health days off lol ow if you’re seriously sick, disabled or something ok I get that.

provokeesmokee · Accepted Answer

I've been forced to take stress leave twice before. Both times it was very needed and my bosses were the ones who told me to go - one had to coax me out from under my desk to sign the papers, I was mid-panic attack.

I've since learned to recognize when my mind is starting to burn out, and will take a long weekend to just recharge.

I'd rather force myself to take a few days than be forced to take a few months off.

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

Taking time off to destress and regroup for a week is ok. But you must consider who is doing your work while you're trying to get better? You need to bring this up with your boss before you take off. Maybe they can disperse your work to more than one person.

Anonymous · Answer

Just a couple of things...
1. You are protected by the ADA against being fired over mental illness which covers anxiety, stress, depression, etc.
2. You do not have to disclose to your co-workers or your boss what you have. Legally they cannot ask you to disclose this information (though for some legal reasons such as requesting accommodation, you may have to disclose).
3. Before talking to a boss or co-workers if that is your prerogative, you may want to talk to HR first which has to pay attention to the legal bit of it all, should you approach with an issue such as this so that you are protected on leave.
4. Absolutely take the time you need because if you are at a point of needing to take a break and are able to recognize that, you have to take care of you first. It can be scary to admit that to others and yourself, but you'll be better for taking care of yourself and work out the rest later.

WindAtMyBack · Answer

I suppose it depends on how bad the stress is and how much time they take off. It also depends on how badly they are needed at work. If they are taking a lot of time off, to the point that they are unreliable and/or aren't getting the work done, then they might get fired and replaced with someone who does the job.

Curmudgeon · Answer

If you have accrued or earned the sick leave over your months/years of service, by all means do so. That is what it is for. (This depends upon your employment terms, of course). And yes, some jobs are just so stressful or overbearing that the occasional "mental health break" is a good idea.

MrNameless · Answer

I'm okay with this. Better to take a day off and manage your stress and feel better when you come back than have it build up and potentially worsen your performance and mood.

In my opinion, I don't think you should disclose that you are taking a sick day for stress, unless the culture encourages it or if you think your boss would be okay with it vs using PTO.

lightbulb27 · Answer

I did that… smartest thing i could do… as long as work on yourself.

Stop giving a dang about what others think.

Around that age… we start to work on stuff thats been repressed and no longer serves us. Life change

fantasticass · Answer

Yup, very healthy to do. Stress needs to be dealt with, or it just gets worse. What your coworkers think or say is none of their business, so don't worry about other people. Concentrate on yourself and get better 😊

johnnymoooore · Answer

It's no one's fucking business who takes time off for anything other than your supervisor or human resources. If anyone says anything to you or murmurs any crooked comment behind your back, tell them to get a life and further mind their own business unless they want to discuss their comments about you with human-resources, which is a conversation you'd be happy to have with them, then quietly tell whomever it is "now go fuck-off" then turn around and walk away.

Lady_Heart · Answer

Take your time cuz ur mental health is as important as your physical. Don't do the thinking for others, let them have their own and most of time people doesn't really care cuz everyone has their own issues. Relax n focus on urself

Jazzy54 · Answer

None of my business. If you need to take time off, take time off. Don’t worry about what other people think or say about you. Take care. 🙏🏽❤️

coachTanthony · Answer

Most companies now call it PTO so there is no stigma. You just take it for whatever reason you like. Personal family stuff is all I would say.

cnj421 · Answer

Your mental health is more important than your job. If you don’t take care of that you eventually won’t even be able to DO your job. And if your peers judge you for taking care of yourself, you need new peers.

BwhahaAsIf · Answer

Absolutely do it. Your health and well-being comes before anything. But, to add a grain of salt, please, out of fairness to your colleagues, only do so if you actually need it. Also, I can't help but think that if this is a major question for you and other young women, perhaps there is a bigger q (s) that needs to be addressed? Like, why am I a young woman working? I should be finding a husband and procreating while my sexy blood-lining is still coming and going... or something?

blueonblack22 · Answer

Well there are different levels of stress. Also depends on how often you do this.  I would make up a different excuse for why you are taking time off tbh.

sheikalana · Answer

Your peers don't have to know the nature of your sick leave. Your medical condition is personal and private. If someone asks just say you're going through something in your private life.

236color · Answer

It should be normalized. How many episodes of workplace violence could be avoided if someone could just take 8 hours every now and then?

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

If you are sick, you should call in sick. And sick can be all sorts of illnesses that prevent you from working.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

I don't care if my colleagues do it. That's time off that they are legally entitled to. If they want to use it, they should be allowed to use it guilt free.

JesseP1nk · Answer

Aslong it does not effect me (i dont need to do their work) sure they can take sick leave as long they want. Problem is when i need to do their work.

captain_voidwalker · Answer

As an employer I encourage my employees to do this. Stress causes mistakes which cost a lot more money than you missing a day of work. All I ask is if it's not actual sickness try to give me a fewcfays heads up so we can plan around it.

exitseven · Answer

When I worked for the state I took frequent mental health days. I had so much sick time I couldn't possibly use it all

slatyb · Answer

You don't have to explain to them. You weren't feeling well and took a day off.

WhitneySnow · Answer

That’s cool. Mental health counts as being sick.

mobiusforniner · Answer

I think that’s a very legitimate use of sick leave. And I am a manager.

TomMarks · Answer

Personally, I’d rather see someone take time off to deal with that, rather than let it overwhelm them and cause something drastic.

Anonymous · Answer

You do not have to disclose any of that information to your co workers. If you are approved for time off you take it and take care of yourself. It’s none of their business anyways.

Nifrayu · Answer

That sounds like a legitimate reason to me. Excessive stress isn't healthy at all. Better to deal with it before it makes you sick.

Staximus · Answer

Nevermind what some dumb asses at work think, do what is good for you

FireFox001 · Answer

You have personal leave for that. Sick leave is for diseases only. Unless the doctor sings ot off, here you can't do that

Anonymous · Answer

Thats normal and common. Plus theyre not your friends if thats what you’re worried about.

Blueeyes81 · Answer

Just say you are sick. No need to elaborate to the company the actual reason.

jahaims · Answer

Everyone judges everything that is how humans interact with reality get use to it.

BarryLiverstone · Answer

Most places have sick/personal time. As long as it’s approved by management I don’t see issues

shortster · Answer

At my last job it was called a personal day. At least before they lumped everything into PTO.

007kingifrit · Answer

why would you ever tell someone why you are taking sick leave

rosemilk · Answer

it should be mandatory once a month.

sheenagwapa · Answer

love yourself

Lokiion · Answer

Mental days are perfectly fine

Minahh · Answer

It's okay to do that even necessary sometimes

Pohjolan · Answer

I don't really care.

BLP11520 · Answer

Do what you need to do it's your life!

sureshkumar978 · Answer

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Danny_dan92 · Answer

I mean, makes sense

What’s your take on an individual taking sick leave from work to work out some stress ?

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