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AIBU?

Sick leave for elective surgery.Work in a school.

115 replies

PrincessHoneysuckle · 02/10/2019 10:15

I get paid sick pay but this wouldn't be an illness so I'm not sure where I stand with this.
I'm booked to have elective surgery mid January
,i couldnt get a date in school holidays as my surgeon is on annual leave as has children.Should I just be honest with work or fake an illness? They seem pretty reasonable but we are obviously not allowed holiday days term time so would have to be off sick.Does anyone know the best way to approach this?

OP posts:

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seaweedandmarchingbands · 02/10/2019 10:17

What is the surgery?

Doyoumind · 02/10/2019 10:18

Surely this counts as sick leave. You will be unable to work due to surgery that is required. Just tell them.

Thetiss · 02/10/2019 10:18

I think you can go on sick leave for elective surgery.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 02/10/2019 10:18

Its breast surgery i have implants already and I've been advised they need replacing

OP posts:

Onepuddingisneverenough · 02/10/2019 10:18

Elective surgery simply means planned in advance . Most surgery is elective
My sister is having an elective gallbladder op tomorrow. She will be getting sick pay
Do you mean more like cosmetic surgery ?

Thetiss · 02/10/2019 10:19

Unless it’s cosmetic surgery or something? Is it for medical reasons?

seaweedandmarchingbands · 02/10/2019 10:19

Right. I think you would be very lucky to get sick leave for that. You’ll probably have to lie.

commanderdalgliesh · 02/10/2019 10:19

Depends what it is really. If it's cosmetic then I think you're on very thin ice. If it's something like a gastric band which could've deemed medically necessary then presumably they should allow sick leave for it?

PrincessHoneysuckle · 02/10/2019 10:19

I'm worried about getting into trouble or sacked.Ive never worked term time only before

OP posts:

Thetiss · 02/10/2019 10:19

Sorry x posted. Well if the medical advice is that they need to be replaced then that’s different to just getting them done in the first place I think

commanderdalgliesh · 02/10/2019 10:20

Crossed! Yes if it's medically advised I think you should get sick leave.

Venger · 02/10/2019 10:20

Elective surgery just means not an emergency, it doesn't mean it's not essential and you obviously need it done or the NHS wouldn't be funding it. I'd speak to school and let them know you'll be having sick leave, roughly how long you'll be off, and if there'll be any temporary restrictions on your abilities when you come back (e.g., no lifting).

A positive here is that they'll have notice you're going off sick so can arrange appropriate cover.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 02/10/2019 10:21

I dont mind not being paid at all I wouldn't expect to be tbh it would be cheeky.I suppose I want unpaid leave but I'm afraid to ask

OP posts:

Onepuddingisneverenough · 02/10/2019 10:21

so you mean cosmetic not elective surgery
IMO if you’re having cosmetic procedures you should not be paid for that time off and should take it as unpaid leave

If you have been Advised to change them for medical reasons you imo you should get paid as it’s for your own health

PrincessHoneysuckle · 02/10/2019 10:21

@Venger I'm funding it

OP posts:

Venger · 02/10/2019 10:23

Ah, I thought it was like the implants that were recalled a few years ago. Someone I worked with had them and the NHS did the removal op for her.

Even then, you've been told they need to be replaced so it's a health issue.

Doyoumind · 02/10/2019 10:25

If you are funding it then that changes things. Can't you just delay until the holidays in February or at Easter?

SmileCheese · 02/10/2019 10:26

I don't think you should lie about it. Ask the school what their policy is, although I would be prepared fully for them to say it is not covered under sick leave. Who has advised you they need replacing?

LavenderAndBeeswax · 02/10/2019 10:27

If you're paying for it could you pay a different surgeon to do it in school hols? Presumably you get more choice of surgeon if paying private

edwinbear · 02/10/2019 10:31

I had a surgical prolapse repair a few years back, my surgeon just wrote 'post operative recovery' on my sick note so as not to disclose to my employer the sensitive nature of what I was having done.

Beautiful3 · 02/10/2019 10:37

Just talk with hr and tell the truth. Best not to lie.

Quaffy · 02/10/2019 10:41

Do they need replacing because they lose a risk to your health or because they don’t look as good anymore?

If it’s the former, if your surgeon writes a letter that it’s medically necessary and needs doing ASAP I think they would struggle to say no.

If it isn’t relatively urgent, can’t it wait till summer holidays?

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Quaffy · 02/10/2019 10:42

Oh and definitely don’t lie. You’ll probably need to provide medical evidence anyway and any lie would be discovered.

Alpacathebag · 02/10/2019 10:45

Talk to HR and tell them it’s an operation. Pretty sure you don’t actually have to tell them what it’s for, either way surgery is surgery and requires recovery time. If they say it won’t be paid, then so be it. It won’t stop you having the surgery will it? I wouldn’t lie though, if you’re found out you’ll be in worse trouble.

PenguinWings · 02/10/2019 10:45

Could you talk to your surgeon's secretary about it? It'd be a pretty cushy job if they get all the school holidays off.

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