Is stress a valid reason to be signed off work?

Question

Is stress a valid reason to be signed off work?

Answer 1

Yes i have been signed off with stress before, just go into your doctor and tell him/her you are feeling on the edge of a breakdown as your life is so hectic and the stress is causing you problems at home and at work, you need a little time to recharge.

Answer 2

Yes, especially if you have high blood pressure and other signs of stress such as a heart murmur or irregular heart beat. There are other signs of stress but these two are the most common. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yes if the Doctor thinks going to work will make you worse. But most companies won't be very happy about it and when applying for jobs in the future you may have to disclose it. So only do it if you really need it.

A colleague of mine took 6 weeks off on stress, after she came back the company changed everyone's contracts so that we would no longer get sick pay if we were off more than 3 days.  

Answer 4

yes for sure.

Answer 5

Yes - but there is a but - you need to convince your Doctor that you genuinely have it!  It is one of those conditions like back ache and neck ache that are almost impossible to determine whether you genuinely have it or are just playing the 'system'.

It is certainly a valid condition. I can remember a company buyer once who was basically working above his competance level and was highly stressed. One day he just cracked, jumped up and threw a 400 quid electric typewriter out of the window and disappeared out of the door never to come back.

Answer 6

yes it is completely valid and with a doctors sick note your employer cannot contest this...your company is legally obligated to have its own policy on stress and to follow it to make your time at work less stressful

Answer 7

Yes, it is.  Stress makes you less

productive at work.  It causes

headaches, ulcers, high blood

pressure, irritability, etc.

It's best to take the time off,

stress down, and return.  

Answer 8

Yes, your GP should be able to give you a letter to state that you are having some personal stress problems.

Answer 9

yes, i would think so

Answer 10

Yes, it is a perfectly valid reason particularly if you have a heavy workload or deadlines to meet.

Visit your GP, explain how you feel and ask if you can have a "Sick paper" for time off from work to re-charge the batteries.  Your GP will probably suggest the length of time off he will give you and ask you to make an appointment at the end of the period to discuss with him how you feel after the rest from work.

Try to relax and meditate by shutting out the everyday things.

Good luck !