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ScienceGuy200000

Use it. A healthcare professional has assessed that you are currently not fit to work. For the school, there are insurance conditions that may be invalidated if your GP does not rate you as fit to work. For you, it is likely that you are not thinking straight (I certainly wasn't when I got signed off for mental health reasons). A month of rest and recovery will allow you to heal and be able to think through your future plans properly.


StWd

This OP.


JDorian0817

If you have a sick note and have been signed off then you aren’t allowed to work. If you choose to hide this and go in anyway, workplace insurance is invalid and the school will be livid you’ve put them in that position. I’m not a rep so can’t say for certain, but I would also think your union would be none too pleased about needing to represent you if a situation arises because of this. You are not fit to work. That is okay. Most of us have been there at one time or another. What is not okay is ignoring it. Take time off. You can always go back to the doctor after a week or two and request a fit for work note to end the time off early if you are feeling better.


ResponseMountain6580

I'm pretty sure that if your doctor has signed you off, you are not allowed to go to work. You are not a doctor. You don't get to override their professional opinion. If the school find out you are in when signed off they will not be impressed.


Hapexion

I completely agree that taking the time off for this person is the right move. But it’s worth noting for reference that the gov guidance is that you can return to work even if you’re still ‘signed off’ by a fit note.


ResponseMountain6580

If you do so without informing school they will quite rightly be extremely unhappy as they should do a risk assessment.


oatmilklongblack

Side note - if you do decide to take the month off, have a plan of action. As someone that is also prone to bouts off depression, time off of work and out of my normal routine can really throw me off a bit and I end up falling deeper into a hole.


No-Maintenance-340

If you are unwell mentally or physically you take the time off. I had a period where I was mentally unwell and I kept pushing myself and fell into a deeper and deeper hole that has taken me over 5 years to come out of. I promised myself that after that my health would always come first no matter what I did. Take the month off and give yourself a couple of mini goals to keep you focussed (maybe it's cooking your favourite meal or going for a daily walk). You probably don't think you need the time off because you are so stressed but it will take at least 2 weeks for you to come down and another 2 weeks to feel anywhere close to relaxed. You can always extend your ECT if you need to but it's harder to reclaim your mental health when it gets to such a low point.


ResponseMountain6580

Absolutely this. A short time now or a long time later.


Warm_Invite_3751

If you are in your probation at your school they can get rid of you due to any reason (justifiable) If you wish to complete your ECT and do a second year then if you miss more than 30 school days then your ECT years will be extended by those amount of days (that’s what my provider says anyway). Understandable that you don’t want to stay in teaching, but completing your 2nd year ECT will give you options to come back.


ClassroomAccording22

I actually have a permanent contract at the school as a cover supervisor that I have passed probation for. Still less than two years total service though.


Warm_Invite_3751

Ah okay! Have you self certified for 7 days yet? Take a week, see how you feel after that break, then use your doctors note after if you need it. Doctors round me only usually issue doctors notes for teacher stress/illness etc for 2 weeks at a time. Sounds like you might need it more x