Manager insist I call in daily when off sick for work related stress

[SpiritInBlack]

I have been bullied at work by a colleague and raised a grievance. The meeting is next week which is making me very anxious and panicky. I signed off for anxiety and stress at work, informing my line manager that I will stay out of work until the meeting, because the stress is affecting my mental health. The absence will be less than five days.

 

My manager's manager insists that I have to call in every day. I checked the Sick Leave Policy and there is only mention of keeping in touch, nothing about a sick employee calling the office every day. Is this allowed?

[citizenB]

Seems to me as though the bullying culture extends to Management as well ?

[SpiritInBlack]

This is what I was thinking as well...

[Emmzzi]

would your doctor be willing to amend a sick note to say something like total break from work contact required..??

[SpiritInBlack]

Thing is, I don't even need a sick note because it's a four day absence.

[BazzaS]

Thing is, I don't even need a sick note because it's a four day absence.

 

If it is such a short absence, it wouldn't be unreasonable to require contact every day, in case the situation has changed?

 

If signed off for 2 weeks : totally unreasonable.

If you were off for 4 days with a viral illness : absolutely reasonable : you might be better at day 2 or 3

 

So, if you aren't being signed off, it seems reasonable, and unlikely to significantly worsen your condition.

Can you get someone to phone in in your behalf, saying "situation unchanged!" : complying with their requirements while avoiding you having to make contact directly?

[SpiritInBlack]

The reason for my absence is anxiety which is work related, this is why I do not want to call. Also, the manager is saying that this is my duty to call in every day. This is not my duty, because it does not say so anywhere in the policies. I agreed, however, to be contacted daily by my line manager (different person) if this is going to make the other manager happy.

 

I also made it clear, that the request is unusual as people in similar circumstances were not asked to make contact. Neither was I when I was off sick before (which was twice in the last three years and for genuine reasons).

[citizenB]

Perhaps this is something you might want to raise at the meeting next week, Spirit ? You could point out that you were off work with stress and this arbitrary instruction has simply made things worse, especially when you know that it is not a company requirement!

[finaldj]

I can understand long term sickness they want to see if they can help with anything, but for 4 days especially since you actually informed them that you would be back for the meeting I can't see why you would actually need to keep in touch. in all honesty I wouldn't bother.

 

The only concern here is that they might be concerned for your well-being considering the situation and might just want you to check in daily to make sure everything is ok.

[Emmzzi]

self diagnosed stress?

 

have yu actually seen a doctor?

[Old Cogger]

suspicious - self certification, no doctors note regardless , seems to me if stress from work etc doctors note required from start or even a visit to doctors to take note of a possible situation, else we can all self certification stating, stress at work from the Bahamas, sorry but certain ailments be honest would need professional records !?

[ericsbrother]

email them? dont have to actually speak that way but a record is then kept.

[Old Cogger]

stress from work related? then employer could view that your position, as not fit under H & S regulations etc which could jeopardise the companies business. be very careful if you are unable to complete a days work in a defined normal routine. = not fit for purpose?? and find another position without the stress, and do not feel sorry for yourself it does not help, but move on and get a job suitable to your life style.

[forreal]

I have been bullied at work by a colleague and raised a grievance. The meeting is next week which is making me very anxious and panicky. I signed off for anxiety and stress at work, informing my line manager that I will stay out of work until the meeting, because the stress is affecting my mental health. The absence will be less than five days.

 

My manager's manager insists that I have to call in every day. I checked the Sick Leave Policy and there is only mention of keeping in touch, nothing about a sick employee calling the office every day. Is this allowed?

 

 

Good luck with this, hope it went well. If you're off less than a week you don't need a doctor's line, so 'self-diagnosis' isn't an issue for you, nor 'holidays in the Bahamas'. Don't let anyone on here or anywhere else tell you that if you suffer from work related stress its your fault or that you should look for a new job. If your employer is causing you stress its their problem and they need to try to make adjustments when you've highlighted them, they can't just instantly dismiss you.

 

 

Once you've got a response from your employer, decide what you want to do, but be wary when taking advice from this forum, it varies in quality and some of the posts in this thread demonstrate a real lack of understanding of work related stress.

[goodatresearch]

suspicious - self certification, no doctors note regardless , seems to me if stress from work etc doctors note required from start or even a visit to doctors to take note of a possible situation, else we can all self certification stating, stress at work from the Bahamas, sorry but certain ailments be honest would need professional records !?

 

Good luck with this, hope it went well. If you're off less than a week you don't need a doctor's line, so 'self-diagnosis' isn't an issue for you, nor 'holidays in the Bahamas'. Don't let anyone on here or anywhere else tell you that if you suffer from work related stress its your fault or that you should look for a new job. If your employer is causing you stress its their problem and they need to try to make adjustments when you've highlighted them, they can't just instantly dismiss you.

 

 

Once you've got a response from your employer, decide what you want to do, but be wary when taking advice from this forum, it varies in quality and some of the posts in this thread demonstrate a real lack of understanding of work related stress.

 

Completely agree. The idea that the OP can't diagnose stress is ridiculous as is the argument that if you are suffering with stress your in the wrong job. I'm suprised people still hold these ignorent beliefs.