AIBU to take the full six weeks signed off after surgery?

HR here (not in the UK). I would not let someone back early if they had a medical certificate saying they need a specific period of time off. If they did want to come back early, I would request medical clearance saying that they are ok to do that.

Take the 6 weeks.

There are some seriously appalling managers & HR people out there.

I think you need the 6 weeks - you can always say you'll let them know if you do feel better sooner? But definitely don't rush back.

And also to add this is completely wrong. An employer can’t get rid of you for capability reasons if you have been signed off sick for six weeks and then you’re back to work. They can if long term it is proved you can’t do a job. Stop scare mongering.

How on earth could minor eye surgery cause cystitis? I’ve had cataracts removed in both eyes with sedation and had no problems.

As someone who did not take the 6 weeks after surgery and went back to work too soon, TAKE THE 6 WEEKS!

What a horrible example to set to the people who work for you.

I’ve been in the same workplace for about 24 years. 10 years ago I was extremely ill and had to take months off sick, including following an operation where I received 3 units of blood. The following year I was quite ill again and luckily had another operation where it was discovered that my thyroid was compressing my windpipe. However, that surgeon did not cure the original reason I had the operation and I ended up getting iller and iller. Eventually I travelled abroad to a surgeon who specialises in the failed surgery I had and had major surgery with him in March. My gp gave me a sick cert for 6 weeks as he knows I’ve been unwell for years. I had told my boss that I was given 6 weeks but would see how I felt about coming back sooner. As it turned out I was only back just shy of a month after the 6 weeks when I had some blood tests done. Turns out my symptoms were something much more serious than I thought and the hospital phoned me a few hours after the blood tests were taken to tell me to go straight to A n E where I spent 4 nights on an IV and a cardiac monitor. Even had medical students asking me questions as they had never come across anyone who had a mineral level as low as me!! I had put my symptoms down to recovering from surgery and vitamin B12 deficiency!! I won’t be rushing back to work and luckily can work from home next week. I could have had a heart attack or worse and my workplace wouldn’t have given a toss!

I’d take the full 6 weeks, and longer if needed. Your health comes first.

OMG your condition sounds very painful and unfair especially since it seems you've had a medical injury. I hope you recover well and soon.

I can only say that I had minor eye surgery recently and I was told to take a full week off work. "Be kind to yourself my surgeon said." I wasn't. I went back to work after 3 days, I didn't want to be seen as weak. So.......for the first time in my life I developed cystitis and had to go to A & E to get antibiotics. Writhed in pain for 2 days. Everyone agreed, my immune system couldn't look after me because I just wasn't resting and recuperating after my surgery. Lesson learnt!

I used to be a nurse, @Phoneshop, and my view is that if you rush back too soon, you are more likely to need more time off because you won’t be fully recovered.

Ah ha, thank you @WearyAuldWumman I get it now.

When you take your hand out of the water, you cannot see that your hand was ever in there - it doesn't leave any kind of impression in the water.

Maybe it's the heat, or because I'm tired, but I don't get this... What does it mean?

I despise the way in which people (HR) seem to think they can challenge and override a doctor’s recommendation. The consultant said you need 6 weeks to recover - I’m pretty sure she/he didn’t pluck that out of thin air. Can you imagine this with any other professional opinion?

“The structural engineer says we need 6 steel pillars to erect this building, but I’m sure we can make do with 4”.

”The scuba diving instructor thinks we should take extra oxygen for this dive but it’s heavy to carry, let’s take less”

So yes, YANBU and you should take the full amount of time.

Oh my gosh, the nerve of them! 😆 They can't do ANYthing about you having 6 weeks off if you have been written off. I think you should start looking for another job soon @Phoneshop as they don't seem very nice and caring.

I hope you do recover soon. But yes, take the 6 weeks off. If this weather continues, it will be nice!

YABU for considering compromising your health by thinking of not using the recommended recovery.

Take the 6 weeks. And take longer if you need it too! Maybe a phased return to ease yourself back. You need to be fully fit and to know that you can not only do your job, but all of he stuff you normally do outside of work too.

It's surgery. Let yourself heal.

Even if you feel right, be cautious. Damn.

I imagine the “6 weeks now equals long term sick leave” comment means they’re annoyed that this will trigger some formal return to work stuff in their policy, like a staggered return, reasonable adjustments etc. Considering what you’ve been through, you should have those anyway, so they’re just being picky and trying to get away with not having to look after you properly. Honestly, check your work’s absence policy, I bet that 6 weeks is a trigger point for them to have to do something.

They shouldn't be questioning it.
Take the 6 weeks. 6 weeks recovery for that type of operation is standard.

Op I am an employment lawyer and I can absolutely say any dismissal in these circumstances would be unfair. It’s a relatively short period of time with medical evidence and a good prognosis. And apart from the law it’s really stupid to force someone back early ‘because’ when that might actually make you relapse and need more time off.

Stay off for the full six weeks, as advised by the medical professional. Then take longer if you need it. HR don’t care about you, you are just a number and replaceable.

So true @WearyAuldWumman 💐❤️

Your company is not insured if you go bavk
earlier but injure yourself in a way that’s related to your surgery healing so just relax and recover and watch some good tv!

Of course you must take the six weeks, and you may well need longer. That is just the standard time off after major surgery. If you don't allow your body time to heal you'll risk becoming unwell again and having more time off in the long run. No comparison with what you've been through, but when I was off after badly breaking my wrist and required surgery on it, my line manager was trying to get me to go in - even though I was a nurse! I got the Union rep involved and didn't have any more trouble after that .