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Original poster

What's your thoughts on being off sick from work

123 replies

perfectasalways · 20/08/2021 19:30

I've always thought if you are too sick to work that you are too sick to go out and enjoy yourself. A woman at work was on holiday and didn't come back the next week or for the first three days of the following week - something to do with feeling a bit rubbish (not mental health related) and she has cream and and tablets from the Dr. She let slip that she was in the pub with her friend on Saturday. I just would not do this. If you are well enough to go to the pub and drink surely you're well enough to go to your work.

OP posts:
Saz12 · 20/08/2021 20:31

Generally: IMO, if you’re fit to enjoy a night out your likely able to manage some work, not necessarily your full 40-hour week, but shortened hours, a later start & earlier finish, or some of your duties but not all. But that’s often not available, and some roles are definitely not possible.

Steelesauce · 20/08/2021 20:32

My Mums off sick following an op and I took her pub today, should she stay in the house? She's actually going on holiday next week too, whilst still on sick. Its none of your business.

icedcoffees · 20/08/2021 20:35

Being fit enough to go out for a drink with a friend isn't the same as being fit enough to drive and do a full shift at work.

Also, she may not be telling the truth about why she's off.

Her sickness is between her, her doctor and her manager - it's nobody else's business.

BrilloPaddy · 20/08/2021 20:39

I personally think if you're well enough to get dressed, leave the house and sit in a pub for a few hours eating/drinking, then you're well enough to be at work.

But I run my own business and don't have the luxury of dumping my workload onto others to deal with Hmm

Freddiesmyboy · 20/08/2021 20:42

I agree with you op it’s very annoying when people are supposed to be ill off from work but are well enough to be going out leaving colleagues to do their work instead

converseandjeans · 20/08/2021 20:44

I agree - if you're well enough to get dressed and go out to the pub then you could probably work.

It goes down badly as generally other people need to cover their work & it creates resentment.

There are other things you can do to get out the house.

I've recently had a nasty rash and didn't miss any days at work.

cadburyegg · 20/08/2021 20:47

YABU I think. I had a traumatic miscarriage 4 years ago and needed 3 weeks off work. Most people didn't know why I was off. The weekend before I went back, I met my friends in town for coffee. It was the first time I'd felt well enough to go out for weeks. It's none of your business

moynomore · 20/08/2021 20:51

Why do you care?

moynomore · 20/08/2021 20:52

And if your are ill, just do what she does. Take time off. It's obviously not doing her any damage.

aerosocks · 20/08/2021 20:53

A former colleague of mine took several days off sick as he had a 'stomach upset' and managed to go to France to watch a football match. We found out because there was a ferry strike at the port in Calais; the tv crews were there reporting on it, and he ended up in the background of a clip on News at Ten. Grin

moynomore · 20/08/2021 20:54

The "cult of work" is alive and well on MN.

Footprintsonmyfloor · 20/08/2021 20:55

I agree with you but I’m freelance so if I’m off sick from work it’s because I’m really sick.

moynomore · 20/08/2021 20:55

If employees are constantly covering work for sick colleagues, they need to take it to management.

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 20/08/2021 20:56

Morally wrong but medically correct 🤷‍♂️

Kinneddar · 20/08/2021 20:58

I'm currently off work with MH issues and expect to be for several months. I dont intend to stay home 24/7 but I will be going out for coffee or lunch with friends if I feel up.to it

I will however be staying off SM. A colleague of mine has been off for months and is out a lot. While noone expects her to sit in the house the constant fb posts are really pissing folk off

itcouldhave · 20/08/2021 21:03

I broke my hand and was off work for six weeks. I could go out and do stuff, I just couldn’t type for 8 hours a day. I also went away for a long weekend in another country while I was off because it had been booked for months and there was no reason for me not to go.

I think you should mind your own fucking business, frankly.

TractorAndHeadphones · 20/08/2021 21:08

Surely it depends on their character? If they were skivers in the office then it’s like they’re skivving off work too.
If not then give them the benefit of the doubt.

AtomicSquirrel3 · 20/08/2021 21:08

I agree OP.

Flipflopblowout · 20/08/2021 21:09

My understanding is that you can go out if you are sick. Your viewpoint on this relates more to the 50s and 60s.

Blurp · 20/08/2021 21:09

I always wonder what jobs people have where a day at work is the same amount of effort as an hour at the pub.

It is entirely possible to be able to get to the pub for an hour (having done nothing all day, and with no responsibilities coming up) while not being capable of going to work and doing anything useful for a day. I don't understand why some people refuse to accept this.

If someone is continually off sick and going skydiving or something, that warrants a bit of questioning. A one-off occasion in a colleague who's generally hard-working, nah.

Viviennemary · 20/08/2021 21:10

I agree with OP. Skivers and chancers will always try to justify themselves.

converseandjeans · 20/08/2021 21:16

aerosocks

A former colleague of mine took several days off sick as he had a 'stomach upset' and managed to go to France to watch a football match. We found out because there was a ferry strike at the port in Calais; the tv crews were there reporting on it, and he ended up in the background of a clip on News at Ten.

This is funny. Bet he was surprised.

I'm surprised so many people think it's ok to go to the pub while being off & being paid to work 🤷🏻‍♀️ it's probably a good job I don't own my own business as I would struggle with this.

SuperCaliFragalistic · 20/08/2021 21:22

Depends on:

  1. The job and what's required by a days work
  2. The illness and what they are capable of

It's extremely narrow minded to presume that being unable to work for health reasons means you stay in bed all day being sad.

My ex had a broken leg a few years ago. It would have been impossible for him to work but he managed to go down the pub on his crutches for a few pints with his brother. And why the hell not?

godmum56 · 20/08/2021 21:26

@converseandjeans

aerosocks

A former colleague of mine took several days off sick as he had a 'stomach upset' and managed to go to France to watch a football match. We found out because there was a ferry strike at the port in Calais; the tv crews were there reporting on it, and he ended up in the background of a clip on News at Ten.

This is funny. Bet he was surprised.

I'm surprised so many people think it's ok to go to the pub while being off & being paid to work 🤷🏻‍♀️ it's probably a good job I don't own my own business as I would struggle with this.

probably a good job for your imaginary employees too Grin
converseandjeans · 20/08/2021 21:39

godmum56

I would hate being a manager. So yes that's probably true...