Am I a bad employee if I skip work because of work stress?

No. A lot of people go through this. Your health comes first and foremost over anything. Work can get stressful but dont let it overrun your life

Of course not. You're allowed to take a personal day. As long as it's not excessive calling off. People can become ill because of stress, that's why some companies have paid time off, so that you can take those days if approved.

I wouldn't label someone as bad merely because they're human and acted in a manner they deemed fit. What I would say, however, is that skipping work is only a temporary solution and avoids conquering the main issue; why is the stressed caused, what have you done to alleviate the stress, and what can you still do to conquer it?

I think it's best to talk with your employer about taking a day off because of work stress - that way they are aware what is going on, and can try to address the situation with you.

Depending on how much? I would advice using vacation time and not always do it. If the job over-stress you everyday then you need to consider looking for another job that you enjoy.

not at all. although skipping work may not please most of employers and we mustn't do it as a habit, we must remember that our health comes first. if you feel so stressed to the point it's affecting your life and work performance then you should consider taking sometime to yourself and practice some self-care. take is as any other illness. if you don't feel well, consider treating yourself first and then go back to work with extra energy and an eased mind.

I do not believe that skipping work due to work stress makes you a bad employee. We all experience burnout in many different forms, and stress is one of the larger, more common factors for this. We all need to take breaks for our mental and physical health, and if that includes taking a day or two off from work, that is totally valid and understandable. It's better than forcing yourself into a scenario that makes you uncomfortable and not the best fit to handle. There may be some resources worth looking into on 7 Cups, or even through a co-worker or other online means that might be able to assist you with easing this work stress -- but at the end of the day, it does not make you a bad employee to skip work from this.

No, absolutely not. You're not doing it because you don't care about work or your co-workers, you're doing it because you feel bad and that's not by choice. Don't beat yourself up over that. That only adds to the stress.

Nope you just need to tell your boss about what stresses you the most and you need a short vacation, i think he will understand...

This all depends on the individual. If you are excessively stressed out to the point of which you no longer have the ability to properly function, a "sick day" can be beneficial - remember, mental health is just as important as physical health! However, it is also important to not stay in a job or uncomfortable situation that causes this much stress 24/7. If this is the case, it would be wise to either seek professional help or to consider finding a job that is a better fit for you.