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.

with surgery.

Careful, you’ll get accused of spreading fake news!

Not worth the risk.

Exactly this. People are so weird about sick leave. 8 hours in an office or whatever is completely different to 10 minutes shopping or having your hair cut! Or even going for a walk.

Anyway it's nobody else's business.

See my previous post.

You posted misinformation as an HR 'professional'. Expect to be corrected.

Re going back early with time left on the note - I don’t know what my works policy is on this. They’ve been super unhelpful.

I can't remember where I saw/heard this, but I saw (or heard!) somewhere that a recovery period needs a balance of rest and recuperation.

Rest = resting obviously
Recuperation = gradually doing things that will help you get back to 'normal' life.

Eg. If you spend two weeks in bed it's going to be a massive shock to go straight back to work. If you rest and potter about and go for a walk (/nail appointment/whatever) you'll be regaining your strength and be more ready to go back to 'normal' life.

Hope you're recovering well.

I agree. They shouldn’t be turning up unannounced. And in 39 years of working in my industry I only ever heard of one silly manager trying to do this (I was his subordinate!)

our company had a very regimented appraoch to support. When to call employee after start of absence, discussing how often they wanted check in chats, what stage occ health would get involved, what stage company GP might be involved, advising on use of BUPA (company paid for) to give extra support even where nhs operation (eg physio post recovery, mental health support )

hence why if someone had ever just rocked up, on a whim one day that they felt better, they’d be gently shown the door and all way back to their car door. And as I say no one ever did apart form one macho idiot manager.

as for rejecting someone requesting an early return? We’d have an actual conversation along lines of needing a Gp to agree. We’d then use our own (sub contracted) company GP to do that if they insisted …but I never heard anyone ask to do it. It wasn’t up for debate without Gp assurance, our insurance liability wasn’t going to make allowances. Thy were also manufacturing sites in health care , various legislation like H&S and GMP would also mean having people working where still officially signed off was a no no

you’re experiences may be different. All industries are different. Healthcare production is very risk adverse for very obvious reasons.

Honestly, you lost me when you wrote about the culture of presenteeism you foster in your team. Might need to get those management skills up to date. It’s not seen as a positive thing anymore.

I’m not in production etc so I don’t think this would apply to me

You have every right to do this if you want to - but probably better to see how you feel after a week, then extend your fit note a further week to 2 weeks if you feel you need to. If it was surgery rather than a simple investigation you may even need longer. It's a shame your company/organisation doesn't allow wfh or any other adjustments to support you back - they sound really poor in that respect.

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They're not the best when it comes to wfh etc. They really got themselves in a pickle by allowing all sorts of flexibility a few years back, so everyone who joined from X date onwards is just not given any.

Yeah I get that. But if someone says that they’ve had endo excision, appendix removal, a full day in theatre you would think people wouldn’t say oh are you back exercising/at work yet after.. a week!
mine was a “day case” technically

You lost me when you professed to be HR but posted misinformation. Looks like neither of us are particularly impressed by the other. C'est la vie.

That's a shame - unfortunately there are still companies out there who behave in this way. It's a poor show.

D whatever you feel up to
doing op. Ignore the judgey types on here. Get well soon 🍇

If I could afford to get on a flight to someplace nice with a pool, I'd do it: sit on a plane, sit on a lounger, recovering.

Gosh I wish! I'd do anything to be recovering in the sun 😂 I feel utterly miserable

You're signed off as being unfit for work, not for anything else. And as you're off for longer than you can self certify, you will have provided medical evidence to anyone who might doubt you.

As a manager, I wouldn't bat an eyelid if I saw a sick employee out and about unless they had told me that they were highly infectious and/or bed-bound or similar. Going for a run when you're off with a broken leg? Yes, I would be suspicious. Gradually easing yourself back into normal day to day life while recovering from surgery? I would think "good on you".

Honestly, OP, you don't need to pretend that you're on your deathbed until you go back, and no decent employer will expect this. Do whatever you need to do to feel better. The gentle activity might actually hasten your recovery.

Comment wasn’t aimed at you OP… sorry we’ve got diverted into what is permissible legally re returning to work early, vs what is company policy. The “legal” police are out arguing with fact that some companies won’t allow people to return early 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Sorry about this, I have absolutely no idea how a post about tv characters ended up on this thread!

You have been signed off work not life. Getting your nails done is a part of you trying to lead a normal life in order to improve your ability to return to work. Also F what others think, they would not give 2 shits about what you think!

It gets better. I alternated sofa and bed
nap, eat, cup of tea, episode of Buffy, nap, repeat
sleep is healing

I did bowel prep and was on hourly obs so by the time I got home I hadn’t eaten or slept in about 40hrs and felt wrecked

I can't lie, I feel like I've woken up in a new dimension, so that's probably on me 🤣

I would think there's a big difference in being feeling a bit better and want to get out for an hour to well enough to work all day. Going for a little walk or going to get hair or nails done surely might help you to feel better. Just build up gradually and if tired take a nap.