A mental health day for you is supposed to keep you away from a possible breakdown or burnout due to stress-related to or not working. Currently, my symptoms are difficult to manage and I think Ill benefit from a days leave., Im putting in a day of mental health leave. "Call in and share openly with your boss that you're not well enough to come in." But present it in a way that won't be contested or argued with if you feel . Please feel free to post your comments and queries below. Otherwise, call, email or text first thing in the morning. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average number of paid sick days is often directly proportional with years of service. You should also find out how many sick days you are allowed per year, and whether you will be paid for time off sick. This stigma is likely to be greater when it comes to the workplace situations. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material. Most stigma about depression at the workplace happens when people gossip about it, reinforcing the negative stereotypes. I need some time off, I hope you understand and Ill call you again soon., Im feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, I hope you dont mind if I work from home today and Ill update you later on how Im feeling., Hi, my Dr has advised me to take some time off to recharge. Read Also: What Drugs Cause Bipolar Disorder. For example, you could notify your team several weeks in advance if you've had surgery scheduled. Its worth taking the time to check your employers sick leave policy as well as your states labor laws. No. This could have repercussions on your employment contract. This could be your boss or human resources. I hope you understand, Ill be in a better position to tell you more in a few days. For example: If you think your employer will be understanding and youd like to explain, you might adapt one of the following phrases to suit your situation: If your employer offers specific mental health leave, you can specify that youre taking sick leave for mental health reasons. You should ask for sick leave as soon as you know you need it. Sick leave should only be used when you feel so unwell that you cant attend work. This will allow them sufficient time to reassign your workload or arrange cover. " Sandy, I'm concerned about you." 2. This could lead to termination of your employment, either on the grounds of not attending work regularly enough to fulfill your employment contract or incapacity due to ill health. | Birmingham, Alabama I know how you feel. Inform the organisation as soon as possible: Convey your absence along with making provisions to cover for your absence. This is likely to give the employer a clear idea and they are more likely to be supportive. This article discusses what you can do when you want to say more, but have a hard time expressing what you feel. What to Say when calling in sick with anxiety https://www.clubmentalhealthtalk.com/what-to-say-when-calling-in-sick-with-anxiety/, Depression: How to tell your boss you cant work https://psychcentral.com/blog/depression/2014/06/depression-how-do-you-tell-your-boss-you-cant-work#1https://www.depressionforums.org/forums/topic/21088-calling-in-sick-to-work-for-mental-health-day-off/#google_vignette. Although there are laws and federal policies regarding the enforcement of mental health awareness at the workplace, true change can be bought by only when the employers decide to incorporate mental health leaves and sensitivity at the workplace. They do not have to specify your condition or why youre taking time off. This is especially true if you are taking time off from work when you are not actually sick. Hi, Im sorry but Im not feeling mentally up to coming in right now, I need to stay home. The more lies you tell, the more likely it is that you will be found out. When youre under the weather, its likely the last thing you want to contemplate but there are right ways and wrong ways to go about it. Related More examples of how to call in sick or avoid explaining whats wrong. Much of the anxiety depends on what your boss is like, the kind of relationship you have with them, and how hes going to handle the information. Remember that if you are friends with or followed on social media by your boss or work colleagues, they will be able to see everything that you post. If your depression is really severe you should probably speak openly about this to your employer and if your employer does not comply then you can always present the note with your medical professional. Information like this has a way of spreading even the people you are friends with might slip up and reveal the truth about your absence to your boss. It may also make your return to work easier. Check your contract or employee handbook. It is reasonable for your boss to ask for more information about the reason for your absence. Ive never had the luxury to just be at peace with myself. Were all just different. I need to sort some things out, Ill get back to you shortly with an update. The advantage of an sick leave email or text is that it's easier to keep your message brief. This is likely to compensate for the absence. Remote workers are entitled to sick days (Picture: Getty) Yes - you are totally entitled to take some time off when sick, even when working from home. You are a person with a soul. Regardless of if you are in the office or . Globally depression remains a huge obstacle for over 300 million people according to WHO, plenty of times we can not pursue the usual routines of our day because of disturbed mental health and therefore we struggle with explaining to our employer when it comes to taking a day off due to mental health issues like anxiety or depression. These laws allow an employee to be paid when taking time off to look after sick family members. Calling in sick can be a source of anxiety for workers who wonder when to call, what to say and how to say it. Anisha Patel-Dunn, psychiatrist and chief medical officer at LifeStance Health, recommends asking for a one-on-one video chat to talk about it. contact@clubmentalhealthtalk.com, What Anyone Who Hasnt Had Depression Should Know | MedCircle, This Is What It Feels Like To Be Depressed, 5 Signs that You Need Therapy! If you use some reason to call out sick repeatedly, examine why you are avoiding your job so much. The guilt will end up making you feel all the more depressed, you should rather relax and try taking your mind off from the worries of your workplace. BetterHelp offers accessible, affordable, and convenient online therapy that can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. As long as youre following the correct company procedures in terms of how to call in and the communication you need to provide with your company you should get all the necessary support you need. Yet, there is a stigma attached to depression and other mental health conditions, which is not seen in case of physical health issues. If you are unsure of the protocol, it is best to send an email and follow up with a phone call. You may also be required to participate in a return to work interview. Its also OK to bring it up if you dont know exactly what youd like from your boss, according to Maureen Kennedy, lead professional coach at Bravely, a career coaching company. Many employers use the Bradford Factor system, which highlights frequent episodes of short-term sickness absence. Yes, it is alright to take a leave when you have depression as it will help you in managing your symptoms and feel better when you get back to work. It has been seen that even at the most progressive workspaces, employees have chosen to remain silent about their mental health issues such as depression. When calling in sick with back pain, it is important to be honest about the reason for your absence. With that being said, if you are dealing with a contagious illness, staying home from work until you recover may be your only option. If you feel like this is the case in your workplace, it might be best to speak to a trusted coworker or your boss in confidence to get their opinion on how open people are about mental health issues. Sometimes it is sad that your colleagues think youre just being coy and lazy taking all these sick leaves but then there isnt much you can individually do about it. Work Extra Hard on Your Return. On the other hand, a phone call is more personal. To be protected, you must have made your employer aware of your disability or health condition. When is the best time to call in sick? The note can also suggest on your behalf if there is a requirement of some alteration in your workplace. Every states sick pay provision is different, so it is important to check the terms and conditions of employment outlined in your contract or company handbook. It fine to just be vague. " You've been late to work . Hi, my Dr has advised me to take some time off to recharge. If you dont know what to say, just say thatand tell your friend that you are there for them. If you decide to call in sick to attend a job interview, try to keep the reason for your absence brief and concise. WikiJob 2007-2023. This is something a lot of people, myself included, have struggled with and it only makes the anxiety worse. Studies have also shown that although many employees feel that taking a leave for mental health reasons is valid, only a small percentage of employees are actually able to state the true reason for taking a leave. The stigma around mental health issues, especially depression is now being voiced out making the workspaces aware of these practical problems. Its also possible that your boss has dealt with depression themselves, and can offer advice from their own experience. This will ensure they can make plans accordingly. No, do not indulge in telling lies when you need a mental health day. Instead, if you feel the message is a little too terse, add a line thanking your boss for their understanding and express an eagerness to get back to work as soon as youre fit and well. We then moved to taking into account the various things that need to be considered if one needs to take a few days off for dealing with depression and lastly we tried to answer the question, what to say when calling in sick with depression with the help of a few practical tips. If youre dealing with depression, its important to remember that youre not alone no matter how its affecting your role at work. Thank you for your understanding. Most stigma about depression at the workplace happens when people gossip about it, reinforcing the negative stereotypes. Have an excuse ready, "He puked all night.". Im going to take the day off to focus on myself and my mental health, and hopefully, I will be back tomorrow feeling refreshed. In the passage at hand, the "i . Todays blog post emphasised on what to say when calling in sick for depression. You can either let these people know about your absence directly or ask for a message to be passed on. If you are struggling with your mental health, explain this briefly to your manager and let them know what steps you plan to take to improve things. Some employers categorize disability-related sickness absence differently from regular sick leave, but many do not. If your medical professional deems that you are not eligible for working in your present situation then they can provide you a note. It is important to keep the conversation brief and precise enough for the boss to understand the gravity of the situation. Make sure the HR department of your organization knows, just in case you need extra support. This is mainly due to the rise in mental health awareness over recent years, which has resulted in employers taking it more seriously. Ensure that you are familiar with the company procedure, Keep communication with your boss concise and professional at all times, Take steps to reduce the burden on colleagues who will be covering your work in your absence. If they do, you only need to give a brief, general explanation of the problem (for example, that you have a migraine, you are recovering from a gastrointestinal virus or you are taking care of your sick child). Featured. Some employers categorize disability-related sickness absence differently from regular sick leave, but many do not. Your employer may have a set protocol to outline who you need to contact regarding sick time, as well as how and when you should notify them. These are usually free and can be provided by a GP or hospital doctor. When calling in sick, pass on any important information about the day ahead. This will prevent unwanted information from being passed on to your boss. For example, if you need to attend a hospital for specialist treatment relating to an ADA-protected illness or you need to spend time in a mental health facility, your employer can only ask when you expect to return to work. However, you should always consider who else might be affected by your absence . Since working on our current project, Ive been feeling that my productivity isnt at the level that I would like it to be at. The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. If you are happy to be contacted while off sick, explain your availability, setting out exactly when and how you wish to be contacted. Most companies are very sensitive to mental health issues in this day and age. Keep a track of your sick leaves progress. When wondering about what to say when calling in sick with depression, one should also know that they should be prepared to follow-up with the employer about their condition. I hope this blog post was able to provide the readers with an insight about the various ways in which one can convey that they need a break to deal with depression. Depression: Depression is a common mental health issue which has been affecting the way people think, feel and behave. The employee needs to be aware of the basic rights and provisions available to them under the law of their region. You can find out more information on long-term sick leave in the UK on the gov.uk website. Calling in sick for mental health reasons can have a positive impact on how you feel. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health and prioritizing self-care over work is necessary sometimes, whether its the flu or depression. I know that I wont be performing at my best if I come to work today. As with any other illness, if youre only taking a day or two, you wont have to provide details or proof to evidence your need for a sick day. When taking time off for your mental health its a good idea to read your companys policies and check in on your states laws around sick leave and workplace discrimination. I need some time off, I hope you understand and Ill call you again soon. Try to be as honest as you can be with your GP so that a clear picture of your mental health status can be built by him. If you know your triggers for migraine, you may wish to discuss whether any adjustments need to be made to your work environment. For most, depression is a personal issue and coworkers knowing about it only makes them feel worse. One way to answer the question, what to say when calling in sick with depression is to inform a selective few people at the workplace in a calm and precise manner. If youre facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. Even the most conscientious of employees will occasionally need to take time off work due to sickness, even if its the last thing they had planned. If they do, you only need to give a brief, general explanation of the problem . If work is affecting your mental health, you must discuss this with them so that they can help. However, making any provisions you can to ease the pressure caused by your absence will be appreciated by your boss and the rest of the team. This question often leads a lot of employees to continue working despite their condition or lie and take a sick leave. However, the Equality Act 2010 sets out the requirement for employers to offer reasonable adjustments, such as time off for appointments and flexible working arrangements for employees with a disability. All rights reserved. Lets take a look at what stigma looks like. Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. To improve your mental health in the long run, you can consider asking your employer for ADA accommodations. It is a mental health condition and just like a physical health issue, it can be treated. Like it was code for an extra vacation day or something where your boss couldnt call you out for faking sick. Here are a few ways in which the employees can tackle the question what to say when calling in sick with depression and help them inform the office authorities accordingly. Perhaps you can tell your boss that you have been quite run-down or are exhausted. Phrases to use when calling in sick with depression Calling in sick for mental health reasons is perfectly valid. I just finished working three nights in a row, with another four right ahead of me. This was followed by understanding the stigma around depression, especially at the workplace. If your employer is unlikely to allow this, you could say that you are feeling unwell with a migraine or other minor illness, but it is always best to avoid being dishonest if possible. Here are some options. This is especially important if you have an upcoming deadline or you are working with others on an important project. Try to be as honest as you can be with your GP so that a clear picture of your mental health status can be built by him. Be Careful with Social Media Posts. Id like to take the day off as I feel unwell., I need to take a day of sick leave because Im ill., My doctor has advised me to take time off to recover from illness., Im requesting a days sick leave. You can be dismissed if you have a persistent or long-term illness that makes it impossible for you to do your job. In this blog, we will answer the question, What to say for calling in sick with depression, and also cover what depression is, mental health at the workplace, and also includes some frequently asked questions. They may question if they are truly sick enough to take the day off or worry it will It is so important to understand that one need not give out extensive details of the condition or what the person is feeling. I have a bad cold, and I will be staying at home to make sure I do not spread it. This is especially true if you are taking time off from work when you are not actually sick. Avoid posting anything about your day off on social media. Remember that if you are friends with or followed on social media by your boss or work colleagues, they will be able to see everything that you post. This should allow them sufficient time to arrange cover if required. Its important to be in the mindset that you are deserving of a mental health day if youre overwhelmed. Im not feeling well enough to come to the office, and I dont want to risk passing anything on to anyone else. One of the ways we can answer the question, what to say when calling in sick with depression is to be honest about what you are feeling and informing the organisation as soona s possible. Perhaps the changes can include a slow and steady return of yours in the workplace, alteration in the duties related to your post in the workplace, change within your work schedule and work hours. 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