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Original poster

A question for managers/HR

52 replies

Pelligro · 03/10/2021 12:59

If you had a member of staff off sick with exhaustion/stress. What would be acceptable activities for them to be doing whilst they were off.

For example, exercise, going to the pub, going on holiday, out dancing and drinking, weekends away etc etc

OP posts:
LordEmsworth · 03/10/2021 13:10

Literally any of those. Exercise is excellent therapy, holidays can really help especially if your stress is related to your home situation.

Presumably the person who is off sick has been signed off, as someone who is not a medical professional then I'll defer to the GP and assume their opinion outranks mine. The idea that someone is only sick enough to be off work if they can't get out of bed is ridiculous...

insancerre · 03/10/2021 13:14

Anything
Except work
They’ve been signed off work, not living
I think you would be on very shaky ground if you dictated what people can do or can’t do when not at work
Pretty sure the law doesn’t allow that

Mamamamasaurus · 03/10/2021 13:15

Anything but work. That's the point of being signed off work.

Mamamamasaurus · 03/10/2021 13:17

Besides, how the fuck can a manager or HR police what someone does outside of work, unless it reflects on them (think SM posts etc) or brings the company name into disrepute?

Original poster
Pelligro · 03/10/2021 13:17

So someone is too stressed/exhausted to do a part time admin job. But not too stressed/exhausted to go out drinking and partying all weekend? Or to do photo shoots on Instagram. Or to go to Ibiza for the weekend raving.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pelligro · 03/10/2021 13:17

Medically how does that work?

OP posts:
chocolateorangeinhaler · 03/10/2021 13:18

If they have a note from the doctor they can do and go where they like. Nothing to do with you.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 03/10/2021 13:18

There re no limitations on what they can do outside work, the goal is to reduce stress and all of the activities use you have listed could be beneficial in doing that.

Original poster
Pelligro · 03/10/2021 13:18

The stress of answering a phone and opening some post?

OP posts:
AdriannaP · 03/10/2021 13:19

Maybe they are stressed because their manager is a bully?

Original poster
Pelligro · 03/10/2021 13:20

For expecting people to do a job? I’m more concerned about the other members of the team who are having to pick up the slack. They are asking me what I am going to do about someone who is clearly taking the piss

OP posts:
jessiecakes · 03/10/2021 13:23

@AdriannaP

Maybe they are stressed because their manager is a bully?
This
ReeseWitherfork · 03/10/2021 13:24

Just manage the situation appropriately according to your own company policies. You can still get rid of someone who is regularly or on long term sick but you need to do thinks fairly.

insancerre · 03/10/2021 13:24

I really hope you are not discussing this with your other employees
It’s none of their business
If your employee is signed off with work related stress then the onus is on you to make sure they can return and be supported to do their job in a way that doesn’t cause more stress
Maybe read up on stress? So you can be a more supportive employer

jessiecakes · 03/10/2021 13:24

@Pelligro

For expecting people to do a job? I’m more concerned about the other members of the team who are having to pick up the slack. They are asking me what I am going to do about someone who is clearly taking the piss
You manage via the sickness policy as always. Your decision and actions don't change based on whether you believe someone, think they are taking the piss or have lots of sympathy for their situation. You literally follow the policy and manage accordingly.
Mixitupalot · 03/10/2021 13:25

@Pelligro whilst I agree with what posters are trying to say I can also see your pint. As a manager I would be extremely annoyed if someone was of to Ibiza on a a bender whilst the rest of us where under even more pressure than usual.

If this is how this person behaves it’s unlikely they will come back. I’ve seen it all before and there tends to be a pattern to their behaviour.

MeridasMum · 03/10/2021 13:25

Maybe a referral to occ health. Then you can discuss what steps you can take, as their manager, to reduce their work-related stress.

Just because you don't think something is stressful, it doesn't mean that everyone will think that.

Also, your tone leads me to think you're not very understanding or approachable so it may actually be you that is causing the stress.

Hawkins001 · 03/10/2021 13:27

@Pelligro

For expecting people to do a job? I’m more concerned about the other members of the team who are having to pick up the slack. They are asking me what I am going to do about someone who is clearly taking the piss
Could they be side managed and given a progress style list of kpi, that it could be interpreted that you know they won't stick to, but from a hr perspectives, you followed the correct procedures to achieve your results ?
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 03/10/2021 13:27

I think OP, that you need to understand that stress/exhaustion can be classed as a mental illness - so if you think of it in those terms, the person can do whatever they want/need to make themselves feel better.

You might take antibiotics for a chest infection, the same way you might exercise or spend time with friends as an antedote for stress/exhaustion.

Aquafizzle · 03/10/2021 13:41

Often it's not about the work tasks... stress is more often that not created by management style, team or company culture, lack of clarity and shifting goal postal or deadlines etc.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 03/10/2021 13:44

@Aquafizzle

Often it's not about the work tasks... stress is more often that not created by management style, team or company culture, lack of clarity and shifting goal postal or deadlines etc.
Hit the nail on the head.

Perhaps take a closer look at your company or management style, OP.

Hotelhelp · 03/10/2021 13:45

Soooooo judgey OP! You’ve made your thoughts on the situation abundantly clear so hopefully you’re not in any way HR related.

burnoutbabe · 03/10/2021 13:48

Are they receiving full sick pay and how long is that allowed per the policy? Have they indicated when they can return to work (ie sick note ending)

Heyha · 03/10/2021 13:49

I've seen this a few times and it really does have a negative impact on those pulling in extra (not questioning the legitimacy, I've seen that go both ways too). The only way to handle the other staff is to say if that person's GP is providing them with valid notes that mean they can't return, there's not much you can do (whilst doing whatever HR/Occyb health advise in the background, I've no idea on that side of things).

But your answer to 'what are you going to do about it?' can only ever be to keep applying the sickness policy and receiving notes supplied by the GP. It won't stop the resentment but people will have to get the message that there isn't anything you can do as the policies that look after them apply to everyone in the team.

HouseOfFire · 03/10/2021 13:49

@Pelligro

For expecting people to do a job? I’m more concerned about the other members of the team who are having to pick up the slack. They are asking me what I am going to do about someone who is clearly taking the piss
Surely between them they could manage answering a phone and opening some post?

If you think the person is not genuine and is taking the piss, then you have to follow your company procedure.

www.acas.org.uk/absence-from-work