What can and can’t you do while you’re off sick from work?

[StillChangingForTheBetter]

I had a laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis on Friday. I’m still exhausted and generally uncomfortable, but also feel a little more up to doing something gentle - like popping out to return some parcels, or maybe going to get my nails done. We’re also set to have some family visitors mid week next week.

Im off for the next two weeks. No way could I be back at work- I’m exhausted from doing the most basic of things. But is it okay to do small things like that, or is it bed rest only? I obviously don’t want my work to be angry at me, but there’s no way I could be at work right now. I’ve been signed off for a week.

OP Two weeks is generous for a laparoscopy, unless you have a heavy job!

My note is for a week but I’m going to be contacting my doctors to extend it because there’s just no way I can go back! I’m utterly exhausted

Couldn't disagree with this more. That's absolutely not how you should answer the question. There's a hell of a lot in between being well enough to work and bed rest.

Doing some light chores and getting your nails done are not remotely comparable to a full days work. Any boss or colleagues that would judge you would be complete idiots l.

If it was one of my colleagues in this situation I would ask them how they were feeling, say I completely understand the need to get out for a bit if they felt up to it, but also warn them not to do too much. Luckily I’ve always worked with reasonable people who would do the same.

But how one person ‘imagines how they would feel’ and how another would are completely different.

If example someone was signed off with mental stress and were at the supermarket or post office, it would be a word for anyone to think that was wrong.

being well enough to go and walk in the park for 20 mins (which may be good for recovery of many physical and mental ailments) doesn’t mean you can commute and work full days.

And everyone is different in their recovery. You need to do what’s right for you.

What job do you do, could you WFH?

If you are exhausted I wouldn’t be going to the post office etc. you need to rest.

You know if you are taking the Mickey though not you? You really do know deep down if you are being reasonable or not.

I just feel so completely pathetic. I’ve gone from being pretty active (10k steps a day, running 4 times a week, gym the other three days, losing a ton of weight, using my lunch hour to walk etc.), to being on my arse and floored by poaching some eggs. I’m craving something to make me feel slightly more normal!

No, I asked before I went off about WFH and they said no - they don’t allow it. I could WFH realistically, but they hate it.

I think the other thing is that if you are running an errand or similar, you can decide not to do it if you don't feel up to it, you can use your "best" time of day to do it, you can make that the only thing you do that day. None of those is possible at work

I think that depends how whether it is a diagnostic laparoscopy or a laparoscopy that involved surgery

I went to Russia for nine days when signed off once. To be fair, it was mental health leave due to some horrific things and the doctor was my company doctor who insisted I should still go on the trip as it would help to be away from things.

I agree with many others, doing small things is very different to a full working day. Get well soon.

I had my gallbladder out as an an emergency a few years ago. 1 week I was admitted to hospital, then I was signed off for 2 weeks after that. By the 2nd week at home I was able to potter slowly around a shop for an hour or so, or go to a cafe and sit and drink a coffee. I wasn’t up to big walks or sitting at a desk for 8 hours and still needed afternoon naps and downtime but I was mobile so I went out. If anyone from work had seen me then that’s what I would have told them.

It’s only Monday now. How can you possibly predict how you will feel by Friday? Do you get full pay when you are off sick?

I know my body, and I know that this feeling won’t just go away. I think some of it will be using my sick days and then some will be using SSP, but I’m not worried by that at the moment

I had emergency open abdominal surgery in November with two 7 inch scars and 3 for keyhole.

When I got home (after 7 days), I didn’t stay in bed all the time, they don’t encourage it. I was up and showered every day and would move around as much as my body would let me. Always had a small walk outside every day. After 2 weeks I was out and about (not driving) and working from home after 3 weeks.

100% this. Of your list, I think that delivering parcels feels ok. Getting your nails done and having houseguests? Not so much. I lf I was covering your workload and found out you’d been doing this I wouldn’t be happy

We all have different experiences. When I had a laparoscopy I was in such intense pain that I had to stay in the hospital for over a week afterwards, several days nil by mouth because the doctors feared eating would make the pain worse somehow.
I expect most people's experiences fall somewhere between the two extremes of no pain and intense pain.

OP, its good for your recovery to move around a bit so running small easy errands is fine and will help you get back to working shape. I wouldn't worry about what anyone thinks - a doctor has signed you off so you can't work until that time is over. Different if you were self-certifying as ill and then going around town doing things.

If standing in your house and making lunch makes you feel completely exhausted then why would you be doing more things to make you exhausted? You should be resting, not doing errands that wipe you out.

Because it’s really starting to get me down just being in the house all the time. I feel so unlike myself, it’s a complete 180 to where I was this time last week. Even though it was expected, it’s really taken me by surprise. I usually have a full face of makeup on, hair done, nails done, nice clothes, and I feel a bit like a bog monster at the moment!

Take what ever time you need and follow doctors advice re recuperation. I would imagine some light walking when you are ready would be good for your recovery.

It’s different to work though, surely? I feel like it wasn’t that unreasonable, but I’ve also never had an extended period off work before (besides a chest infection a couple years ago, where I was genuinely bed bound for a week and then struggled for a good six to eight weeks after because I rushed back to work!), so I genuinely don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong while you’re off sick

Be guided by your medical care. If you've been signed off for two weeks, that's how long your recovery is expected to take. You could go back too soon, and end up needing longer.

It wouldn't be clever to post all the lovely things you've been doing all over SM but it actually isn't anyone's business how you spend your recovery time as long as you follow medical advice in terms of what you can do.

I think if you’re off from work then getting nails done and running errands is totally different from a small walk or seeing a friend for coffee. If I was your colleague I’d think you were taking the piss! Surely you shouldn’t be carrying parcels etc?!