Mental Health Day off Work?

[LovableGluttons]

A colleague just called in today to take the day off impromptu for a "mental health day" day. She told me she felt fine, just wanted a day off without being too ill to enjoy it.

I have never done this. The idea actually intrigues me as I will have to burn some vacation time before the end of the year or lose it because my balance is too high.

Have you done this? Is it something we'll received by your employer?

Couldn't there be a more appropriate term for it that doesn't allude to being mentally ill?

 

[mhsjax]

A colleague just called in today to take the day off impromptu for a "mental health day" day. She told me she felt fine, just wanted a day off without being too ill to enjoy it.

I have never done this. The idea actually intrigues me as I will have to burn some vacation time before the end of the year or lose it because my balance is too high.

Have you done this? Is it something we'll received by your employer?

Couldn't there be a more appropriate term four it that doesn't allude to being mentally ill?

When I worked for a physicians office I never did. It was a pretty large office, but I just didn't feel right doing it.

Now when I worked for a very large credit card company and I had accumulated quite a bit of sick leave, I did take a mental health day every once in a while. Shoot my supervisor suggested it. We did actually say that we weren't feeling well.

 

[golfgal]

A lot of companies have just gone to 'Paid time off" vs "vacation time" "sick leave" so people can just take time off when they want vs having to justify the time off. It makes a lot more sense to do that, I think.

 

[maelstrom]

If you honestly need a mental health day (you're especially stressed, the day starts off with a lot of anxiety, you're particularly depressed that day, etc), then call out sick. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and if you're sick, you're sick, it doesn't matter if it's because of depression or a stomach bug.

 

[mtemm]

I think its great if you can do it! I think everyone needs a day like that from time to time, personally.

its funny, I was talking with a mom of one of my twins classmates the other day. she was talking about the college she went to and once a year in the fall, the college would ring the bells and all classes, etc, would be cancelled for that day. it always took place on a gorgeous day and I think they called it mountain day or something like that. I just thought was a simple, wonderful treat that is, and it made me realize we all need something like that in our lives. just one day where all expectations are erased and we can just run away or chill out or whatever.

yeah, easier said than done. especially as a parent, you can't really be off duty totally. but I think I'm gonna ring a bell for myself one of these days.

 

[Rora]

If you honestly need a mental health day (you're especially stressed, the day starts off with a lot of anxiety, you're particularly depressed that day, etc), then call out sick. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and if you're sick, you're sick, it doesn't matter if it's because of depression or a stomach bug.

I agree with this 100%.

 

[SC Minnie]

I usually save a couple of my vacation days to use as 'menta health' days. I enjoy taking a day off when DD is at school and DH is at work.

 

[Missy1961]

A lot of companies have just gone to 'Paid time off" vs "vacation time" "sick leave" so people can just take time off when they want vs having to justify the time off. It makes a lot more sense to do that, I think.

that's what my company has. I love it.

 

[flrose]

At my job you can't just call in and ask for a day off for any reason. You have to give 24 hrs notice or you get an "occurrence". after so many occurrences you get a "talking to" and put on probation. You can't even come in and ask for the afternoon off. While I understand the reasoning in one sense, in another I think the supervisors should be able to have some say. I mean if we are low on work or caught up or whatever and would like to take some time off, it's your time and when it's gone it's gone.

 

[plutotek]

I generally take 1 or 2 a year, usually to get a special project done at home when no one knows I'm there. My previous employer had the generic Paid Time Off pool, which made it so much easier.

 

[mhsjax]

At my job you can't just call in and ask for a day off for any reason. You have to give 24 hrs notice or you get an "occurrence". after so many occurrences you get a "talking to" and put on probation. You can't even come in and ask for the afternoon off. While I understand the reasoning in one sense, in another I think the supervisors should be able to have some say. I mean if we are low on work or caught up or whatever and would like to take some time off, it's your time and when it's gone it's gone.

But what if you wake up and you are sick. Sometimes the flue or whatever you have doesn't hit until right before or is that different.

I am a bad person, I f that happened to me I would simply go in and throw up on the boss.

I think I have been a housewife too long. I like being my own boss. lol

 

[maelstrom]

At my job you can't just call in and ask for a day off for any reason. You have to give 24 hrs notice or you get an "occurrence".

So what happens if you wake up puking your guts out? You really don't know that's going to happen 24 hours ahead of time.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

If you honestly need a mental health day (you're especially stressed, the day starts off with a lot of anxiety, you're particularly depressed that day, etc), then call out sick. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and if you're sick, you're sick, it doesn't matter if it's because of depression or a stomach bug.

Amen! Thank you for recognizing the distinction.

 

[maelstrom]

Amen! Thank you for recognizing the distinction.

It comes from ten years of being depressed and anxiety-ridden myself. And I'm tired of the general public still not recognizing mental illness as a legitimate illness. Oh, I could go on and on.

 

[Aimros]

its funny, I was talking with a mom of one of my twins classmates the other day. she was talking about the college she went to and once a year in the fall, the college would ring the bells and all classes, etc, would be cancelled for that day. it always took place on a gorgeous day and I think they called it mountain day or something like that.

So was it Smith or MHC? This was my favorite day of the year in college

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

It comes from ten years of being depressed and anxiety-ridden myself. And I'm tired of the general public still not recognizing mental illness as a legitimate illness. Oh, I could go on and on.

Oh you and me both. I should have reconized that when you posted what you wrote. I'm looking at having ECT eek) done the first week of Nov. My ilnesses have become drug resistant for the most part. And I feel like I've been on them all.

 

[camlace]

A colleague just called in today to take the day off impromptu for a "mental health day" day. She told me she felt fine, just wanted a day off without being too ill to enjoy it.

I have never done this. The idea actually intrigues me as I will have to burn some vacation time before the end of the year or lose it because my balance is too high.

Have you done this? Is it something we'll received by your employer?

Couldn't there be a more appropriate term for it that doesn't allude to being mentally ill?

You say you have vacation time to burn...so use it? If you are concerned about calling in "sick" and calling it a mental health day, then don't just use your vacation day.

I have taken mental health days..even took 3 days in a row and snuck of to Disney World It was the best impromtu vacation I ever took! Every morning I called in and said still don't feel good, I won't be in then hit the parks.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I have taken mental health days..even took 3 days in a row and snuck of to Disney World It was the best impromtu vacation I ever took! Every morning I called in and said still don't feel good, I won't be in then hit the parks.

Ok, you just won the "Best way to use a Mental Health Day" award!!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I fully support mental health days - everyone needs this. I used to work at a place that had two mental health days - you just called in, said you were taking a mental health day and no other explanation was needed!

 

[ICF]

IMO, it's not the right thing to do....unless your employer has such days to use.

Most people have 'vacation' and that should cover the 'mental health' time that people need.