Is there anything I can do about my boss asking me to come back to work while on MC? Is it my fault for condoning it?
I’m currently on a 2-week MC by a psychiatrist after being violently assaulted on Thursday two weeks ago, to take a break from everything to physically and mentally recuperate as I’m experiencing bad mental problems and anxiety now, including post-traumatic symptoms as well.
She wanted to put me on a 1-month MC, to cover me for entire period of my notice period, as I (acting rashly) tendered my resignation as well over that weekend before I saw my psychiatrist on Monday.
I had already been experiencing really bad work anxiety because of a hot-and-cold boss that was being very toxic towards me and scolding me and accusing me due to her unreasonable expectations of me (as a person less than 2 months into the job, only getting a 2-week handover for three different full-time portfolios, as a part-time staff).
So my pdoc wanted to reduce any additional stressful things I was facing. I had tried to go into work on Friday (and had to work a full day) and it was… bad.
I ended up with a 2-week MC because I was scared my boss would be angry that I wouldn’t come into work anymore do any handover for all of my tasks.
Anyway my boss is aware that I’m dealing with SA and getting intensive treatment at the moment. She is also aware of the MC and my resignation.
The day after I resigned and also gave my MC (she was made aware of the traumatic event in that resignation email), she called me into work to get my laptop to bring it home; also to settle some client mails, mailing out stuff, generating receipts for her, etc. (just simple stuff really, thankfully).
I had to work from home the next 2 days as well. She sends messages to me via WhatsApp too; sometimes to ask me how I’m doing (outside of work matters she is actually nice, which gives me whiplash and leaves me feeling guilty for being scared of her when I’m working), and most times to tell me I did this wrong, didn’t do that yet, why I hadn’t done this, that she thought I’d have done that thing but she can’t find it. She’s asking me to come into work again tomorrow to settle more stuff.
I mean I guess it’s my fault for condoning it. I feel bad for being on leave especially during my notice period, and when she’s already understaffed.
I’m the only one handling the 3 portfolios so without me there everything is running amok and nobody is really handling it.
So every time she says I didn’t do this thing yet, or she can’t find that, or that I should’ve done this thing much earlier, I just kind of say… “i’ll settle it. do i have to come in one day this week to settle it?” She ends up saying yes.
I don’t know… my family say she shouldn’t be getting me to go back to work during my MC. but I guess i’m the one letting it happen or even suggesting it.
is there a law stating that bosses can’t get employees to go into work during their medical leave? and i mean other than saying no to her (i literally can’t, i’m scared shitless of her, even the thought of it makes me nauseous and gives me heart palpitations and cold sweats), is there a way i could just formally get it on record on MOM or TAFEP or something (if this is even a valid issue to raise)?
Thanks.