Holiday whilst off sick?

[ElephantOfRisk]

I've been signed off work with workplace stress for a few months, it's due to be my summer annual 2 weeks off starting next week. I've been signed off again for another 4 weeks and my holidays fall in this period. I've also had time booked off over Easter and a few odd days and I presume that that has been cancelled on the system.

Way back before I was off, we'd booked a 1 week break in a lodge about 2 and half hours from home. I still intend going on this as a week in the countryside with my husband and adult DC should be more relaxing than being at home. I've told my boss this and he's said that this part might be still count as annual leave as I am away but he'll cancel the 2nd week as I will be at home. He is going to check with HR and one half of me isn't fussed, i have plenty of days holiday anyway. However, I also think that it makes no odds to them as I wouldn't be expected to be in touch next week anyway and if I hadn't said they would be none the wiser. I could also be doing similar activities e.g. going for a few drives/lunches and dinners if I was at home and if i'm feeling up to it i might be doing that the 2nd week as DH will still be off.

Anyone know what the actual rule is? I would add that i've had significant symptoms and have barely left the house and have only recently been able to speak to my boss at all and even then it makes me very anxious. Occupational health and a counsellor provided via work and my GP have all said I'm not fit to be at work.

I've never really been off work in 38 years (2 short bits of maternity leave) a few days here and there (maybe about 20 odd in my lifetime) and never even needed a sick/fit note before but I still feel like I might be taking the piss going on holiday.

[thefourgp]

You’re signed off by a doctor so they can’t record it as annual holiday allowance time off. Go away and enjoy time with your family. Don’t feel guilty about that but don’t put anything about it on social media either. Not worth the hassle or bitching by those who don’t understand mental health illness.

[flowery]

It’s perfectly possible to take annual leave while you’re off sick. Lots of people do if on long term sick leave- it gives them a bit more pay for a start, unless they are lucky enough to be on good enhanced sick pay.

But the employer can’t make you use annual leave up, so if you prefer not to, cancel it. They’ll then have to convert those days back to just sick leave and give you the annual leave days back.

[Herbie0987]

A few years ago I was signed off work sick and was due to go on holiday, I spoke to my doctor who advised it would help me to go away. I informed my employer who stated as I was signed off work my annual leave would be given back to me.

[Faranth]

You can take holiday leave while off sick. Whether you have to if you're going away will depend on your company policy. I would think it's fair enough if you're actually on a holiday.

I once worked somewhere that the handbook said you weren't allowed to leave your home except for medical appointments if you were off sick, unless HR approved it. They sacked someone for going to the beach while off with stress.

I was off long term with stress and told them I intended to be out and about, as sitting home wouldn't help me get better - they tried to say I wasn't allowed until OH told them to back off. They were complete wankers though, and your boss sounds much more reasonable.

I hope you have a lovely holiday

[Whyareblokesonhere]

It depends on the company policy, many will leave pre-booked leave in place (so you lose that entitlement) unless there has been a significant impact, which would be considered on a case by case basis. So if you were sick and unable to travel for a foreign holiday that had been pre-booked, you may find you are allowed to rebook that trip.

It's fair enough that it is not by default though otherwise the number of people recording sick days whilst on leave would be insane as they would just email in and not have to put themselves through the rigmarole of putting on the sick voice.

[Whyareblokesonhere]

Sorry you've been unwell though and hope your trip helps your recovery

[Spinningaround21]

If we are off sick we don’t use our leave. We get sick pay. Even if we would be away. Sometimes holidays help depending on the reason for sickness.

[motogogo]

Depends on policy but most work places take a dim view of going on holiday whilst signed off sick, using annual leave is a fair compromise. I know my employer allowed use of annual leave immediately following a period of sick leave prior to return to work officially

[Clarice99]

Being off sick from work doesn't mean people should be confined to their home 24/7.

Part of the recovery process from depression/anxiety/mental ill health is to get out and about so going on holiday, if you can manage it, should be of benefit to your welfare.

You've been signed off by your GP so your holiday/time away from home should not count as holiday from your annual leave entitlement. You can use that annual leave when you return to work, perhaps to better manage your health by working a shorter week for a few weeks?

I hope the holiday/change of scenery does you good OP and that you feel better soon

[RedactedTaeFeck]

Thanks folks, a range then depending on company policy. I do get paid for the moment and I am remembering that with my previous employer (tuped to this one) it was the policy that if you were sick and could evidence this then you got the days back.

I found this out as I was ill for 5 days whilst abroad and boss at that time said, when we were chatting after I came back, that it was a pity I'd not got a doctors certificate as I would have been refunded the days.

I've not been on social media much anyway, not doing anything worth sharing anyway...

I can't look up anything at the moment anyway as even looking at my laptop is triggering. I'll just see what he says. As I say, I have lots of annual leave to take anyway and won't be able to fit it in unless I use it to maybe work shorter weeks for a while.

[flowery]

It doesn’t depend on company policy. Any company that has a policy of forcing those on sick leave to use annual leave is breaking the law.

www.acas.org.uk/checking-sick-pay/sick-pay-and-holiday-pay

[vivainsomnia]

Company policy at my place is whether the time for annual leave was requested before being off sick. If it was, it remained as such. If it wasn't, it didn't count as A/L.

[RedactedTaeFeck]

Thanks flowery, that didn't seem to be working for me when googling last night. I'll have a look through that.

[LemonRoses]

You are entitled to take a holiday whilst off sick - it can be very beneficial especially if lockdown has contributed to illness.
You cannot be required to take annual leave to cover sickness absence.

Go and enjoy. Get well.

[RedactedTaeFeck]

Thanks everyone. Not exactly sure what has caused this to be honest. A combination of factors probably but mainly focused around work and issues with brain fog, concentration etc. Occ health think that it may be post covid issues. Add in lockdown restrictions, homeworking, bereavement etc and it all pushed me over the edge to the point where I couldn't even swallow and was having constant panic attacks.

I am a lot better than I was but it doesn't take much to set things off. I have no resilience. I had a week in a tailspin because my click and collect order was wrong because I'd put in an old order to hold the slot, amended it but didn't check out properly. It really shouldn't have been a big deal, I mean it was food and stuff I'd previously bought but the rational part of your brain gets overridden.

I'm sure the break will do me good.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

Everywhere I have worked have given you back annual leave if you are signed off sick.