What to do when you are feeling unwell at work

Who do you need to speak to, and how, when you fall ill?

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Education Support

Understanding your illness

It’s important to understand whether you are ‘a bit under the weather’ or suffering from a chronic illness. You will probably be a good judge of this yourself – based on how long you’ve been unwell for and how severe your symptoms are – but, if you’re in any doubt at all, make sure you see your doctor. It is also important to ascertain whether you are suffering from physical or mental ill health, or a combination of the two. Both are equally as important and can cause a broad range of symptoms.

Different people respond in different ways to becoming ill; you may experience upset, anger, anxiety or even apathy. You should aim to think calmly about your symptoms and what you can do to reduce them to help recovery from your illness; of course, this will depend on what the illness is.

Communication with colleagues

• Your line manager

Talking to your line manager, and making them aware of what’s going on, is a vital first step. Ideally, you will work together on a plan or approach to dealing with your illness and any potential long-term impact this may have on colleagues, pupils or students. Make sure you follow any protocols regarding staff illness to help reduce any anxiety about how colleagues might perceive you, and liaise regularly with your line manager, especially if any of your symptoms change or worsen.

Tips for communicating with your line manager if you have a short-term illness:

• Try to explain to them what is wrong (though don’t worry if you don’t feel comfortable giving full details).
• Let them know when you expect to be back at work, if possible.
• Remember that you can self-certify for up to seven days, so you may not need medical evidence of your illness.

Tips for communicating with your line manager if you have a chronic illness:

• There should, ideally, be one person who contacts you from the organisation; this will probably be your line manager, but may be an HR representative.
• Don’t panic about trying to give return dates, as you are unlikely to know these and your employer doesn’t need to know at this stage.
• Try to keep them updated about your illness – whether it is getting better, worse or staying the same – so that they can plan accordingly.

• Your team

You may work in a team, such as a department or year group, or you may co-plan with members of your team. Being stressed about letting teammates down can be one of the most stressful aspects of being ill. It may help to talk to them directly to ensure that they understand what’s going on for you, and how to support you as far as you are comfortable. Resentments are most likely to build between colleagues if they don’t understand why they have to fill in, or are unaware of reasonable reasons for someone’s absence.

Tips for communicating with your team if you have a short-term illness:

• Keep it brief – they don’t need to know the details, just that you are unwell.
• If it’s feasible to do so, it’s a good idea to pass on as much of the planning, etc. that you have already prepared.
• Again, if possible, let your team know where your classes are up to in their work, to take the pressure off you providing daily cover material.

Tips for communicating with your team if you have a chronic illness:

• Ask yourself how you would support a colleague if they were chronically unwell; you would probably be kind and understanding – it’s not unreasonable to hope for the same from others.
• Try not to worry about constantly providing cover work; once your team have got organised with setting this, they will be able to get on with it themselves.
• Unless you want to for personal reasons – eg because you are friends with team members, – there is no need to keep updating them about your illness.

• Those you line manage

On the other hand, if you have a TLR, or are a member of the senior leadership team, you may also have people you line manager to consider. Again, it may support your wellbeing to know that you have left things in good order while you are absent from work and focusing on getting better.

Tips for communicating with those you line manage if you have a short-term illness:

• If you are able to, give the people you line manage a list of tasks that have to be done and one of the jobs that can wait for your return.
• Also, give these lists to your line manager, if possible, so that they can oversee your colleagues and help out where necessary.
• Remember that there is no need to give any details about your illness to those you line manage.

Tips for communicating with those you line manage if you have a chronic illness:

• If you can, tell them that you will be away for a while and thank them for deputising for you in your absence.
• If possible, provide your second in faculty or deputy head of year with your strategic overview, enabling them to continue with this.
• Again, there’s no need to divulge details about your illness; however, it may be beneficial to offer some reassurance as they’re likely to be worried about you.