Stressful work situation- About to hand in notice

BlackEdelweiss

I am about to hand in my notice in work. I am also in the middle of a very stressful project that is stressing me out so much I am starting to become a bit overwhelmed. If it was not for the impending notice I would consider looking into going on sick leave but I don't know how this would work if I do hand in my notice. I can't afford any unpaid time and don't know what my rights are.

I work in the private sector in a consulting role. I don't know if I am entitled to anything from work or any other avenue. I was meant to hand in my notice this week but need to get myself sorted mentally before trying to start a new job.

Where do I start to look into this? My gp takes over a week to get an appointment.

Padre_Pio

Talk to your manager about reducing the workload and book your GP now.

Azizur Rahman

What does your contract say about sick pay and other benefits?

StupidLikeAFox

Is there anybody in work who you can talk to about this? Someone more senior (manager or otherwise) who may have been in the same position and can help you work through it? If you are getting bogged down in the trenches it's hard to see a way out, but an outside perspective may be able to relieve some of the pressure. It's worth considering before you go nuclear and bail out.

There is no shame in putting the hand up and saying you are overwhelmed, you will likely get some support that will give you some breathing space to assess your position. If not you can hand in your notice at a later date, but if you like the job generally and it's just this one project that's getting you down then it's worth asking for help

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058292011/stressful-work-situation-about-to-hand-in-notice

You can hand in your notice and then request to use the remainder of your holiday time before you finish. There's no guarantee that you'll get a yes but it might work

If you believe this is affecting your mental health then I would try to speak to your GP regardless of whether you're quitting or not

Can you afford any kind of break between jobs? Even a week of two would probably be enough to decompress from your current role

I've been there where I quit a pretty high intensity workplace to move to a more relaxed one. I was able to take two weeks between jobs and it was great, got a load of jobs done in the house and started the new job with a fresh head

BlackEdelweiss

Went to work yesterday morning, saw a message from my boss. My heart started thumping and my hand started shaking. Picked up the phone, called my GP. On sick leave now.

Withdrew from the project. Relief is incredible.

Life is too short to let pricks ruin it. My family are too important to let a job ruin me.

BlackEdelweiss

Quick update: I handed in my notice by email to the company directors. I put a detailed description of my reasons for leaving, all in a very professional manner with no mud slinging or finger pointing. Gave them my finish up date (1 months notice), requested a meeting to discuss my project handovers when I returned off sick leave and thanked them for the opportunity to work with them.

That was Tuesday. Got to Friday evening and I had still not received even an acknowledgement of my email. The email must have sent, I included my own personal email and I received a copy. No way did the other 4 people on the list not get it.

It was going to be stressful going back after being off on sick leave, not it is more stressful and strange. The thought of it is even making my heart thump again.

Get on to your GP first thing Monday morning and get signed off for the 4 week period. Life is too short for this type of thing. If they haven't the courtesy to make contact with you after your email then you don't need to show any respect back and work those 4 weeks which will undoubtedly cause you serious stress.

It's only a job. You'll move on. So will they. If you never show up in there again you'll be forgotten about by the end of June.

It could be that they're aware that they shouldn't be contacting you regarding work during stress related sick leave. It happened to me once, my manager and I were in contact (we're good friends) but when I returned to work she made a comment that she actually shouldn't have been in contact with me at all. Anyway, try to enjoy the weekend and best of luck with things on Monday.

sydthebeat

A receipt and "get well soon" message wouldn't be too much to expect wouldn't it.....

BlackEdelweiss

I would have expected no contact when I first went on sick leave but got a call from the director the next morning. I did not take it and then I received an email saying they hope I am ok and use the time off to get well. I think that was more of an 'oh ****!' Email than anything.

Handing in my notice, I would have expected at least an acknowledgement email to confirm they have received my notice and are aware I am leaving. I don't know what to do on Monday, do I have to email them again asking if they got the first email.

If I could afford to I would go on the sick for the month but unfortunately can't afford to do that. My contract says I have 14 days sick leave in a year. I have just taken 7 and had 4 days off earlier in the year with a dose of flu so not much left.

RidleyJones

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120506711#Comment_120506711

Normally in this situation the manager push it to HR so they cover their backs. Did you ask for confirmation receipt in the email? if not I expect they sent it to HR and let them deal with it.

Also as mentioned above if you are off work with stress leave the managers are not supposed to be in contact at all. So responding at all could be seen as a contact during sick leave.

You have now contacted the managers, you should be contacting HR now.

BlackEdelweiss

Small family company. The directors are also HR. All included in the email.

dennyk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120506567#Comment_120506567

You've put in your notice; why let it worry you any longer? Maybe they're just waiting until you return from sick leave to discuss the arrangements with you, since they're not supposed to be contacting you about work while you're on leave. Maybe they're in denial and are hoping that if they ignore your resignation notice then it will somehow magically disappear and you won't resign. Either way, it's not your problem, so there's no point in worrying about it. The ball is in their court now, and if they don't bother making arrangements for your departure, they're the ones who will suffer the consequences. It makes not a bit of difference for you; you're gone in a month either way. Just go in for your last few weeks, do your work (and only work a reasonable amount; don't cave to any ridiculous requests to work tons of overtime to "finish your projects" or any nonsense like that), help out with the transition process if they do get their act together and start that process, look forward to starting the next phase of your career somewhere else, and don't give your current employer another thought otherwise.

BlackEdelweiss

I suppose I'm basing my thoughts on them not being a bunch of pricks! Probably wouldn't be leaving if they were not.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120508432#Comment_120508432

Reckon you hit the nail on the head there

Definitely worth following up to ensure the message was received, you don't want them making a bollocks out of your finishing up date, particularly if you're going straight into a new job

Regarding greener pastures, I'd strongly recommend taking some time between jobs to get your mental health in order before going on the job hunt

I know reality is that money doesn't grow on trees and there's a limit to the amount of time you can take, but even a couple of weeks might be hugely beneficial

I genuinely hope you get better soon and find a new role which doesn't cause you the same levels of stress and anxiety. I think you're 100% making the right decisions and looking out for your own health always takes precedence over any job

TooTired123

Please don’t forget to apply for illness benefit if only to keep your PRSI record straight.

You’ve issued your notice and the ball is now in their court. I would advise you forward them a cert to cover the rest of the notice period.

You really need to step away now and don’t make any further approaches to them. If they make an approach to you then by all means react to that if you want to.

Youve done the right thing for yourself and your family which is the most important aspect in all of this. Someone else will finish the project and life will go on for all the parties involved.

Take your time and get better.

BlackEdelweiss

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120510767#Comment_120510767

How or where do I apply for the illness benefit?

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120527033#Comment_120527033

You go to your GP and say you want to apply for illness benefit. Your GP will send off to the DSP a medical cert for you. He/she will give you an application form to complete and you fill that in and send it away by post.

It’s illness benefit you want not injury benefit. Ignore the injury benefit section

BlackEdelweiss

Do I have to do this if my company are paying my sick leave? I have 14 days sick leave in my contract. I only used 7 with the sick cert.

ibarelycare

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120529097#Comment_120529097

Are you definitely being paid in full for the sick leave? Many companies pay employees on sick leave but deduct the value of illness benefit the employee would be entitled to claim for their sick period. Check your sick leave policy.