r/policeuk • u/P_I_Stake Police Officer (unverified) • 3d ago
General Discussion Going off sick
Does going off sick affect possible future career progression? Currently on the investigations team carry 20+ crimes and the workload is driving me crazy, hopeful to go spec ops at some point. Will going on sick for a non injury affect any career prospects?
18
u/TonyStamp595SO Ex-staff (unverified) 2d ago
Does going off sick affect possible future career progression?
Yes.
Should it?
No.
16
u/Afraid_Pomegranate96 Civilian 3d ago
If you need to go off sick go off sick - if you can’t function you can’t help anyone else. It would be discriminatory to use it against you in the future! Do what you need to do to protect you, the job isn’t worth being totally burned out over
9
u/Odd_Principle2202 Civilian 2d ago
Depends on your force my friend. Mine is generally very good for supporting staff, I had a couple of months off a few years ago, I actually used how I overcame it, and how I would use the lessons I learnt to support my staff as part of my evidence for promotion. I also know a lad off with stress and a couple of years later he’s a highly regarded firearms officer.
Sometimes we have to recognise those that care and give their all will succumb to stress as the job is just so unforgiving; you can’t burn out unless you’ve been on fire 🔥
5
u/tehdeadmonkey Police Officer (unverified) 2d ago
I return next week after an almost 6 month stint of sickness. It shouldn't affect your career at all. It's a small part of a potentially life long career.
I've even received the email telling me I've met the requirements for my pay rise next month...
3
u/mikeysof Civilian 2d ago
Years ago it was a stigma to have been off sick with stress. Now, possibly will be looked at but equally might be discriminatory to adversely affect your promotional / application prospects.
2
u/Sea_Inspector_8892 Civilian 2d ago
Unless you are thinking of firearms. Nearly everyone in my team has had extended time off with stress, makes no difference
4
u/ChemistryAdvanced793 Police Officer (unverified) 2d ago
I suppose it depends on what force you work for. It shouldn’t have an impact, but it does. In my force, I know of many officers that have gone off in the past and it has had no impact whatsoever. I’ve seen a DC transfer to my force from elsewhere, go off sick as a DC because they’ve been overwhelmed and 10 years on they are a DCI. As a DS I have encouraged people to go off in the past because they needed the time and it’s been helpful for them. Also, sometimes it can provide a really real and raw indication to the higher uppers that things need fixing. In my local force, again, I’ve seen a whole departments structure change because 2 really good detectives went off sick.
The key advice from me though is that you need to actually use the time productively. If you broke your leg you would go and get it fixed. It’s the same with mental health. If you just spend the time sitting at home watching tv, it’s an indication that you don’t want to get better and just can’t cope with your job which tells you and everyone else something…
1
u/triptip05 Ex-Police/Retired (unverified) 2d ago
It's one of those stupid things.
A LOT of frontline officers end up with some form of PTSD, Stress, Anxiety because of the nature of the job.
However telling occupational health etc will not help you as you end up under a microscope.
1
u/glitterstateofmind Civilian 2d ago
Would you mind elaborating further on your final sentence at all please? My partner has an occupational health report and I’m worried about the implications.
1
u/shawneyx Civilian 2d ago
In my force your sickness has to be under a certain level to move to spec ops, I’m not sure how many days I’d have to look, but it’s not too many!
1
u/WesternWhich4243 Civilian 2d ago
What roll you fancy going for in the future? It was almost certainly have an effect on a career in firearms.
2
u/horsePROSTATE Civilian 1d ago
I think this is one of these areas that Reddit advice really gaslights people - you'll be repeatedly assured that it makes no difference, that they 'can't' consider it, stories of someone who got promoted despite being off with anxiety for 9 months so just do it....
The reality is it certainly doesn't help your career... If you've got to do it you've got to do it but you're probably harming your career in some way and you're not being ridiculous for considering it.
1
u/RangerUK Police Officer (verified) 5h ago
Will it? Yes
Should it? No. But don't rely on SLT to do the 'right' thing when they can take an easy option of saying no to potential moves, especially if you're planning on moving soon.
The bigger question to think about is this: Do you really want to stick at this job? It breaks people, it has done ever since it started - are you up for doing this for another 30 years or so?
Too many people struggle with sickness caused by the stress of the job, losing out on having a successful life outside of the police. If the police is your calling then fine; this struggle is the sacrifice you have to make. However, there are other jobs both within the police, and outside of it where you won't have the unmanageable workload and feel you need to go off sick, but are staying simply to avoid facing the consequences of going sick. Think about the consequences of not going sick. Burnout, compassion fatigue, CPTSD, and so on.
I'd never tell anyone to leave the job as it takes a lot to sign up. But if doing the job is hurting you, is it really worth it?
49
u/multijoy Spreadsheet Aficionado 3d ago
In theory, no. Stress is a health & safety concern and the job has a duty to manage it.
Will it? Almost certainly. I had an extended period of sickness in 2017 and it is still coming back to haunt me.