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Original poster

Holidays/festivals whilst on the sick

137 replies

Twinklingterapin · 11/06/2026 20:18

A few colleagues of mine (I work in a school) have been long term sick with mental health, however they have regularly been posting their lives on social media. Ranging from mental health walks, allotment days, coffee dates with friends and even holidays abroad, all whilst off sick. Dont get me wrong i wouldnt expect people to stay inside all day or become a recluse, however I do think there should be a line. The latest has really boiled my blood, seeing posts of a colleague at Download, posing with his friends, and saying how good it is for his mental health.

Surely I cant be the only one to think this is too far? You shouldn't be able to be off on the sick from work but still go festival.

OP posts:
DiscoCherries · 12/06/2026 20:39

BillyBalls · 12/06/2026 20:38

well I’ve already said it really. There are way too many people taking the piss because their (in many cases) self diagnosed mental health conditions apparently gives them to green light to enjoy lots of recreational activities whilst on a full salary!

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You do realise if they’ve been signed off sick a GP has diagnosed them, right

BillyBalls · 12/06/2026 20:38

XenoBitch · 12/06/2026 20:33

What is "soft MH diagnosis"? Would you like to share your expertise on this?

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well I’ve already said it really. There are way too many people taking the piss because their (in many cases) self diagnosed mental health conditions apparently gives them to green light to enjoy lots of recreational activities whilst on a full salary!

XenoBitch · 12/06/2026 20:35

Gowlett · 12/06/2026 20:35

You could literally link anything to mental health. It’s so tenuous… Difficult for employers.

Same for physical health.

Gowlett · 12/06/2026 20:35

You could literally link anything to mental health. It’s so tenuous… Difficult for employers.

StressedSupportWorker · 12/06/2026 20:34

AplineDaisies · 11/06/2026 20:27

I think it's out of order. A friend got caught out at a community event in a local park while she was off sick with a broken leg. She couldn't walk but did manage to hobble there on crutches. She was seen by other staff and long story short, they got rid of her

I don't get this. The woman was off sick with a broken leg, and was seen out in the community with a visibly broken leg?

How did that lead to her being sacked?

XenoBitch · 12/06/2026 20:33

BillyBalls · 12/06/2026 20:32

Yes people are taking the absolute piss with this kind of thing - soft ‘mental health’ diagnosis have got a lot to answer for

What is "soft MH diagnosis"? Would you like to share your expertise on this?

BillyBalls · 12/06/2026 20:32

Yes people are taking the absolute piss with this kind of thing - soft ‘mental health’ diagnosis have got a lot to answer for

Original poster
Twinklingterapin · 12/06/2026 20:32

JazzyJelly · 12/06/2026 20:31

I'm not twisting anything, you've either got a problem with mental health walks or write poorly.

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Respectfully, I disagree.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 12/06/2026 20:31

Twinklingterapin · 12/06/2026 20:30

This is how I see it. But apparently Im in the minority, and very unreasonable for how I feel.

A 5 day festival, where all aspects has been shared on Facebook, is completely acceptable.

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Your biggest mistake is sharing SM with collegues.

JazzyJelly · 12/06/2026 20:31

Twinklingterapin · 12/06/2026 20:13

And that means I have a problem with it?

Taking a snippet of the full sentence to suit your own narrative and twist what actually was said.

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I'm not twisting anything, you've either got a problem with mental health walks or write poorly.

Original poster
Twinklingterapin · 12/06/2026 20:30

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 12/06/2026 20:23

I think their biggest mistake was to post on social media!

It’s also down to management to make sure there’s adequate cover and you aren’t left short.

However, I do agree with you there’s a line where it becomes taking the piss.

This is how I see it. But apparently Im in the minority, and very unreasonable for how I feel.

A 5 day festival, where all aspects has been shared on Facebook, is completely acceptable.

OP posts:
Jellybunny98 · 12/06/2026 20:29

I think being well enough to work & being well enough to do other things are two different things.

Maybe that break did help their mental health, maybe the time spent with friends helped, maybe it was all booked and organised months ago and so they had already spent the money and thought it was worth a go… honestly it’s not their responsibility to ensure staffing is correct and cover is accurate to not impact other staff. If you have an issue with that, you need to speak to management.

IfIHadAHeart · 12/06/2026 20:29

I’m off work currently with anxiety and PTSD caused by a number of incidents at work. One of the reasons I realised I was in such a poor place mentally was because I’d lost all interest in doing things that normally make me smile/relax - walking, meeting friends, going for coffee, shopping. Since being off I’ve tried really hard to make myself do those things again because otherwise it’s just a vicious circle of avoiding things that make me feel better, and then feeling even worse.

Original poster
Twinklingterapin · 12/06/2026 20:26

Isittimeformynapyet · 12/06/2026 20:15

Yeah, "on the sick" made me wince as well.

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How so?

Your judgment at my words makes me wince. I did not realise I would be judged so much for my choice of non-offensive words. Where im from its just how people talk, no malice, just facts.

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 12/06/2026 20:23

I think their biggest mistake was to post on social media!

It’s also down to management to make sure there’s adequate cover and you aren’t left short.

However, I do agree with you there’s a line where it becomes taking the piss.

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 12/06/2026 20:21

I was hauled into the manager’s office once because I’d gone home earlier that day with a migraine. I took my meds, had a sleep and felt much better. That evening we had to take the kids to an event so went for food whilst they were doing the event. DH took a photo and put it on FB. I was back at work the next day but someone took umbrage and complained to the manager.

Isittimeformynapyet · 12/06/2026 20:15

AffableApple · 11/06/2026 20:44

YABVVU. None of your business. Their health, their signing-off. Your use of "on the sick" is very telling.

Mind you discuss none of this with colleagues either. You may find yourself on the wrong end of a bullying disciplinary.

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Yeah, "on the sick" made me wince as well.

Viviennemary · 12/06/2026 20:14

It's the new norm.

XenoBitch · 12/06/2026 20:14

Twinklingterapin · 12/06/2026 20:13

And that means I have a problem with it?

Taking a snippet of the full sentence to suit your own narrative and twist what actually was said.

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I think this whole thread is you having a bitch about people off with MH issues.

GoogolB · 12/06/2026 20:14

It depends on your job. For some things you have to be on your feet for 8 hours. That doesn’t mean you aren’t well enough to go for a half hour walk. In some jobs you have to deal with people all day, but seeing a friend for coffee is fine.

Original poster
Twinklingterapin · 12/06/2026 20:13

JazzyJelly · 12/06/2026 20:07

Right here:

'Ranging from mental health walks'

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And that means I have a problem with it?

Taking a snippet of the full sentence to suit your own narrative and twist what actually was said.

OP posts:
BringBackCatsEyes · 12/06/2026 20:12

XenoBitch · 12/06/2026 20:08

My local NHS MH service, and also charity sector.. take people out on "MH walks"
It is good to get out and see people.

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OP never said it wasn't.

BringBackCatsEyes · 12/06/2026 20:11

JazzyJelly · 12/06/2026 20:07

Right here:

'Ranging from mental health walks'

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Oh come on, you're clutching at straws.
OP clearly says I wouldn't expect people to stay inside all day or become a recluse, however I do think there should be a line"
...and then goes on to say that the posting of being at a rock festival has made her really cross.

Citadelica · 12/06/2026 20:11

Very dim of them to post on social media.

A colleague of mine was on long term sick leave, but at least had the sense to go quiet on the fb posts.

XenoBitch · 12/06/2026 20:08

JazzyJelly · 12/06/2026 20:07

Right here:

'Ranging from mental health walks'

Show quote history

My local NHS MH service, and also charity sector.. take people out on "MH walks"
It is good to get out and see people.

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