Fractured big toe. How reasonably long to be off work with it?

[Cheeseandbeansontoast]

Last Sunday, I fell in the kitchen, slipped n laminate flooring went down with a bang.

My foot/toe banged against the plinth thing at the bottom of the patio doors. My big toe, over a period of a few hours became swollen and bruised, and a cut on the top of it.

I went to our Urgent care centre who X-ray ed it, and confirmed the fracture.
They said it wasn't a big fracture but it is between the top and side of my toe, which makes it stick out a bit. Other than the toe itself, I was walking ok ish.

I drive 10 miles each way to work (not too far) but I told the UCC I was worried about driving in case I have an accident due to weight bearing issues with the pedal, as my car insurance would be invalid if I drove with a broken toe.
They asked me to speak to the fracture clinic about time off when I went yesterday, and without looking at my toe (still had a dressing on), said I was ok to drive from then on in.
I explained the car situation as above (also can't get to work any other way), and mentioned that I didn't think I was ready to drive yet. The consultant wasn't happy that I questioned his judgment, and said I needed to self certificate. I asked for how long, and would prefer a doctors note rather than a self cert form. He angrily filled one out for a week, then stormed out of the room saying I was discharged.

I work for the same NHS Trust. I never would take any more time off than I needed, but I feel he felt this is what I was trying to do. In total, I will have had 2 weeks off when the doctors note runs out.. That I find acceptable, but was I right to be sure that my toe was better before driving again?
Or am I wrong?

[wordgirl]

My DH broke his recently and I don't think he had any time off at all. He had to wear a strange sandal type thing but seemed to be able to drive okay in it.

[KoalaDownUnder]

Two weeks off for a fractured toe?! YABU.

Can't you catch public transport to work?

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

Are you sure your insurance would be invalid? I don't believe that it usually is unless you've been medically advised not to drive, which is the opposite of what they've said to you. As far as I'm aware it's very standard to drive with even quite bad breaks, and two weeks off does seem quite a lot for a broken toe. Are you intending to stay off for the full 6/8 weeks until it's healed?

End of the day, though, it's up to you. If you're happier not working through it, no one should force you back to work.

[Cheeseandbeansontoast]

Thanks wordgilrl.
It still hurts a bit, but wanted to be 100%. The drive can be stop/start as it's quite a busy road I drive on xx

[MOIST]

That's the NHS for you. Give them everything you can. Hours of unpaid overtime. Missed unpaid breaks. Nights. Weekends. Holidays. Everything. But don't you dare ask for anything in return (like time off for a broken bone).

2 weeks unable to drive is reasonable. Mine hurt like a bastard for weeks (and I got a whole week of admin duties rather than 13 hours trying to stand in it).

[Mrsmorton]

Two weeks is a long time. Can you work from home or lift share or get public transport? Your insurance wouldn't be invalidated, why do you think it would be?

[MOIST]

And busses don't run to the back of beyond at stupid shift times so driving is often the only option

[Blu]

Yes, right to make sure you were ok to drive, but wrong to expect the Dr to just do as you say.
Also sick notes cover fitness for work, not whether or not you are fit for one particular method of travel
To work. I would be unimpressed with a staff member who took two weeks off for a broken toe. Unless their job required some sort of physical activity that could not be undertaken because if it.

This does not seem to be the case with you.

[ElspethFlashman]

Err.... sorry to tell you this...but none.

You actually are ok to drive a car, and probably from the start with sturdy shoes.

[WiltingTulip]

I've known a few people who have broken toes and not had any time off. I would also recommend asking your insurance company if your information is correct- if the dr has signed you off how could they deem you as a risk?

[Cheeseandbeansontoast]

To get to where I work, it will involve 3 buses, one from where I live into the town centre, one from there to the main road near work, to get off there, but then it's a walk down a long road, or catch another bus into the hospital grounds.

My attendance record is excellent, no I don't want more time off than given.

[lljkk]

Does your foot give you stabbing pains when you press the pedals?
It will get better, anyway.
DH started driving again 3 weeks after he broke both bones in his lower leg & 2 weeks after surgery (with consultant permission). About 9 miles ea. way.

[Artandco]

I wouldn't have time off for a broken toe. Or leg or arm TBH. If you broken a leg then work would be adjusted if walking lots but wouldn't actually take it off

As an employer, I would think someone was taking the piss having 2 weeks off for a toe. I would say about a week max off if you toe had been actually chopped off

[WiltingTulip]

Forgot to say that I was insured after major surgery.

[Cheeseandbeansontoast]

I work in a large hospital, so a lot of walking is required. On my feet most of the day. I can't sit down (I work in a reception) because the counter I work behind is quite deep, so have to stand up.

I wasn't nasty to the dr, I was concerned.

In fact, it was the nurses who mentioned to me in UCC that my car insurance could be invalid.

[KoalaDownUnder]

I think you need to figure out some way of getting yourself to work; either driving with different footwear, or whatever works.

I really don't think expecting 2 weeks off work for a broken toe is reasonable unless the toe stops you from doing the actual job. As a PP said, transport to and from work is a separate issue.

[Cheeseandbeansontoast]

The toe still hurts intermittently.
I didn't want to chance it.

[KoalaDownUnder]

Asking for temporary adjustments to your desk/chair is a reasonable compromise.

[Brokenbiscuit]

I think two weeks for a broken toe is taking the piss, tbh. When I broke my wrist and collarbone, I didn't have any time off.

Getting the bus to work might be a pain, but you clearly do have that option, and you should take it.

[Coughingchildren5]

I didn'thave any time off for a broken big toe. It hurt intermittently for over a year. Your travel arrangements to and from work are not the same thing as your ability to do your job. Inconvenient but true!

[Imknackeredzzz]

2 weeks off for a broken toe?!! For the love of god how ridiculous, sorry but it is.

If I was your boss I would be far from impressed sorry

[lljkk]

okay, I'll accept maybe the drip feed about actual job duties (on feet most the day) isn't deliberate.
Could you get a barstool behind your reception desk? I couldn't stand on my feet all day with a broken toe, either.

[Cheeseandbeansontoast]

I will try other footwear and have a go at driving then.

I live at the other side of town to our bus station, I won't get to work on time if I caught buses.
Thanks for your replies, sorry if I sounded like I was trying for more time off, but that wasn't the case.
Like I said, my attendance record is excellent. Well, was.
I get that people would try for time off as it's nearly Xmas, but I do my
shopping online anyway.
I feel embarrassed now, but I was concerned. At least I know next time, hopefully won't be.

[feedmelollipops]

I broke my little toe this summer and I didn't feel safe driving like I wouldn't be able to make an emergency stop.

[killbilly]

So - if you drive and it hurts and you can take painkillers (assuming that's possible) you should go to work.

If there's the potential to further damage the toe by driving or standing for several hours daily - then don't work.

I think the consultant was rude - but maybe he genuinely felt you were taking the piss - but he could have dealt with it more maturely! Pretty unhelpful.

Also - if he had kept his temper you may have had the opportunity to ask questions such as the above ...