I am leaving my office job of 9 years due the stress and pressure I am under.
Long story short, one of my very experienced colleagues retired in September, and I took on many of her duties as we have two new starters that aren’t trained yet.
When she left, my job post was put up a grade. This left me with around a £400 pay increase per year as I went from the top of the previous grade to the lowest increment of the next grade up.
I asked for my pay to be increased (within my grade bracket) because the new starters are on the same pay as me even though it is their first ever office job, and I have 9 years experience plus a relevant qualification in my field.
My line manager agreed to the pay increase verbally in December. I had to remind her a couple of times over the past two months because she still hadn’t put the request to HR.
We talked about it again last week and she told me that she’s not going to do it anymore, but maybe in future.
Due to the stress of the whole situation and the extra pressures I am under, I am taking sick leave from next week due to stress.
I do feel like my mental health has been considerably affected due to essentially being strung along to train up the other staff whilst working above my salary, so I’m planning to talk to my GP anyway about my mental health.
From what I’ve found, I’m legally entitled to a week of sick pay due to stress without a note from my GP.
I just wanted to know what would happen if i took a week off with stress but wasn’t able to get a doctors note to extend my sick leave, and I just didn’t come into work again. Would they just fire me? Presumably it means I wouldn’t get reimbursement for the annual leave I haven’t taken?
I can’t face work anymore, I’ve been through a lot of shit at that place but I’ve stuck at it for 9 years and now I can tell that my mental health is at risk.
I have savings and I live with my wife and parents so I’m not too worried about money. I also would like to start a business next so I don’t care that this would be jeopardising my reference.
Edit – I’m on a one month notice period but I haven’t handed my notice in.