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.

The parcels probably weigh less than two kilos all in, but my mum would be driving me to/from the shop!

You’ve been signed off because you aren’t well enough to work, you haven’t been signed off to be locked in your house miserable. Do what you are comfortable with, there is medical evidence that you are unwell enough to be off. I would avoid plastering stuff on social media, not because it undermines you being off but your colleagues might be snotty because they are jealous.

Life still goes on and jobs still need doing if you are signed off work. Even if you take time off because you have a bad cold for example, food shopping still needs doing and you times during the day where you feel alright for a bit

You can do anything you like except paid work or voluntary work that takes the same amount of effort as paid work.

Your not legally obliged to literally be bed bound. How on earth could that be enforced?

I would rest up - if you're this exhausted after a laparoscopy then getting your nails done etc is just going to make you even more exhausted. Have you checked this with your GP? I've had GAs, biopsies, and laparoscopies before and wasn't so exhausted that I needed 2 weeks off work - did you have actual surgery or was it just an investigation? Could you perhaps have an infection that's flooring you?

Based on what you've said, I think it's completely fine for you to do these little chorse. However, also based on what you've said, I think you should assume that at best, you could do nails one day and parcels the next. You're clearly still very much in the post- surgery exhaustion phase.

The thing about recovery is that you DO feel more tired andf it can be erratic. So if work isn't willing or able to offer flexibility, that's on them. But fetching parcels, seeing friendfs or getting your nails done is something YOU can control and, if necessary, abort at any stage.

I’ve had this surgery a few times and tbh I wouldn’t be heading out to get nails done. Just take it easy as your body is healing internally. Getting out for a walk/coffee is one thing but honestly don’t push yourself - get your nails done for going back to work. And drive to the post office (if you’re able to do so) - assuming parcels aren’t heavy.

Standard endo laps for removal of disease are 2-4 weeks in my experience.

Yes it’s definitely erratic, this morning I showered and got dressed and felt amazing, this afternoon I’m floored!

You can do whatever you like.

Being off sick from work means you're too sick to work and that's it.

I believe they removed some cysts and potentially an adhesion? But I honestly can’t remember, I was so out of it afterwards and my discharge paperwork doesn’t say a lot! I don’t know why I’m so tired and it’s honestly making me feel pathetic

yeah. My boss was amazing after a similar thing a few years ago - I wanted to work (it was busy andf I was boredf) but I was exhaustedf. So we agreed the company wouldf pay for a car to take me to and ffrom - avoid tube - andf that I could go home whenevre I felt like it. The first dfay I didn't even make it to lunch.

But I was so grateful AND she was thrilled as she was the one who was picking up the slack in my absence so it was a win win. She never once suggested I should push through and stay later when I got tiredf.

Vs in your situation, that's not an option. but it IS an option if you find that after your nails you're so exhausted all you can do is get a taxi home and collapse.

Are you saying you are one of those people that would question it? If I saw someone legitimately off work while recovering from a medical procedure I wouldn’t think anything of it, not even as a boss.

Do whatever you feel capable of doing during your legitimate time off. I don’t see why it matters if you’re getting your nails done or sitting quietly in a park. If some jobsworth from your workplace starts sticking their nose in that's their personality defect and not your failing. I went abroad for some sun and rest when I was recovering from a medical issue and off work.

Realistically you’re not going to be bed bound until the day you go back, the whole point is you use the time to recover. So if by a few days before going back youre 60:70% better and able to be active for a few hours and you pop out for a coffee it’s actually part of your recovery. You need to see how you feel and build up to the return- every day activities are part of that.

You're signed off work because you need to to recover and because you aren't capable of working 8 hour days and sitting in a chair or dashing around or whatever your job entails.

You are not signed off sick from life.

Nor will you feel exactly the same and require bed rest every day for two weeks but then, on the15th day, suddenly jump out of bed completely fit and mended.

So, yes, you cam get your mail.doem, drop.a couple.of parcels at the shop and go for a walk. You can meet a friend for lunch and go for a drink. You can do little things that help you to feel better, build up your strength and protect your mental health.

Did you have a GA, OP?
That can leave you totally floored IME.
As some of the more helpful PPs have said, you've been signed off work, not life. You can do anything that isn't work, especially if it makes you feel better.
If that's running a marathon for your mental health, going to the cardiac rehab gym class like my friend's DH, or having your hair done like I did when off sick, that's fine.

Yeah they’re definitely not offering me that flexibility - it’s back for 8.5 hours a day or nothing. Which is a pain!

Yes, I had a GA, it was my first one and I’m wondering if that’s part of why I’m so tired!

Ignore the pp telling you not to go out. Who cares if workmates see you at the post office, your medical doctor has advised you're not fit to WORK, end of.
I was off with work related stress years ago and the doctor advised that if I felt up to it to go out every day even just to a shop I didn't use often. Some days I did others days I didn't. As a pp said I've known people be advised to go on holiday obviously don't splash that all over sm, just gives jealous folk something to gripe over. Hope you recover soon.

Surely it depends on the job. Two hours emailing on a laptop from your sofa - maybe. Eight hours working as a packer or picker in a factory? Not so much.

I’ve had time off after an asthma attack in the past. I could go on mumsnet, so maybe my colleagues would say I could have done some emailing too - but to recover, I needed to rest. There’s a big difference between being capable of having your nails done then going home wiped out because you need a lie down, and going back to work in eg a supermarket full time. Most doctors would encourage you to get up and about going gentle activities follow an illness or medical procedure anyway.

It’s a desk based job but with a commute and some physical aspects during the day, I could wfh but they won’t let me

Yes, GA can be completely knackering. Can also mess with hair, nails and skin.

Also, I 'm not sure if you had a bunch of other tests before hand - I had a few of those semi GA things prior to my actual GA and the cumulative effect was awful.

Yes it will be. GA’s can make you very tired. You have been signed off and had a medical procedure, you don’t have to stay indoors for two weeks in case some busybody sees you. It’s not like you phoned in sick one morning with the flu then were seen raving it up at a bottomless brunch by lunchtime.

Nobody can tell you what you can/can't do when off sick. Even if you were off to the gym (which you can't do I understand) or did your nails (why not? is it a sin?) that's nobody's business.

Weirdly enough my skin looks incredible, I look the healthiest I have in a long time 🤣 I just wish I felt it!

We should know by now that some activity helps you get better, a good HR would recognise and encourage that.
There is a big difference between going to the shop and going home and resting. To sitting at a desk for 8 hours plus travel.