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.

Don’t agree with that at all. I haven’t had a sick day in 5 years but if/when I do, I hope my colleagues will always know I’m genuinely unwell.

It’s sad that OP is worrying about doing simple errands or getting out a walk (which are perfectly normal things to do when recovering) and someone would completely take the p* travelling to Greece. A 4 hour flight, travel, transfers, packing etc is still exhausting for someone feeling fit and well. Then posting photos to colleagues is pretty shameful.

You have been signed off from work not life.
do whatever you feel upto doing

Jesus, I feel for you!

I never nap unless I am genuinely not right, even when I had a chest infection/potential covid that floored me for a week, and then with post-whatever fatigue after! It's so disorientating to feel so unlike yourself

I suppose it depends on what you're off with though? I will hold my hands up and say I was super judgmental before this, one of my friends had a long (6+ months) time off with her mental health and I judged her sometimes for the fact she was constantly out, but now I can see how desperate she would have been to be doing something normal!

I didn’t realise how often I got up from the sofa watching TV to just potter/wash up/ do a job
my poor stomach muscles were screaming at me

mine was huge, they said 6-8 weeks off, discharged with blood thinners, morphine etc. I recovered really well with no pain relief and still took 25 days off work so you’re not being soft or anything

I'm presuming that was aimed at me. The "legal" police have explained that it's incorrect to say you can’t go to work unless a doctor signs you back on as fit to work - esp as it hadn't been established that's what the OP's company policy was at that point. ACAS provides guidance on this in case anyone needs it.

Yes, even with this the pottering is wearing me out! I didn't realise how much I enjoyed just doing something. Even just walking round the shop!

I got reported for driving my car once when I was off sick. I was seen ‘gallivanting about’ apparently.

I was on my way to the doctors and then popped into a shop to pick up something for tea.

single parent with absolutely no support whatsoever.

luckily my area manager was lovely and told
me she understood as she’d been through
the same thing herself

running a few small errands is nothing compared to working a full shift where you need to be at full capacity both physically and mentally. Posting a few parcels and getting nails done is fine. I wouldn’t care if I was your colleague or boss if I saw you.

Ok is drs, dentist , physio , any medical appointment .
Food shopping , having to take under 18s somewhere etc

Everything else , probably not.

I had surgery but couldn’t see from looking at me I had it done.
Had surgery on my eyes and couldn’t tolerate bright lights for 10-12 days. My last job was brightly lit and that was bad. Even had to wear sunglasses with grey skies. I stayed away from the area where my work was.

Then had a mole removed by excision - needing 6 stitches on my shoulder. Was told not to work as use arms - just a precaution to prevent the wound opening up

Some people presume being off sick means unable to walk about doing errands and should be in bed!

there is difference types of sick. you don't know what that person is going through. that person could be mentally unwell, recovering from grief ( yes that can be an illness ) had surgery etc. their doctor could have told them that a week in Greece is just what is needed
I suffer from a long term chronic pain illness a week in the sun makes me a new women after a bad bout of my illness
I really hope to god you never are in that position. no one knows what goes behind close doors and therefore no one should judge

I had a two days off for a laparoscopy! It’s not normal to feel exhausted for two weeks after a GA at all? Are you exhausted as you’re lying around perhaps?

Yes I think that’s another thing. Unless you looked closely you wouldn’t actually know id had anything done. So I feel like I’m being a big baby! It’s such a reminder to treat yourself right and to value your health

I had surgical stuff done while under as well. I don’t know why I’m so tired, but I am!

I had surgical stuff done while under as well. I don’t know why I’m so tired, but I am!

Im afraid I still dont agree with travelling to Greece. Holidays take alot of planning and mental and physical effort (ive just done it as a fit and well person - we joke we need a holiday after!). I dont agree with someone being signed off and flying off abroad unless ofcourse for emergencies (i.e. family).

Having a quiet break away in the UK whilst you recover is understandable. Again, what would be the need to share any holiday pictures that with the colleagues if you are recovering? Surely concentrating on getting yourself well enough would be the only important thing.

Not every lap is the same! Some people are under for 30 mins for investigation, some are under for a full day with a bowel and gynae surgeon and having entire organs removed or deep endometriosis removed

it is normal if you’ve had a decent size surgery, your body is healing

Perhaps when you get genuinely seriously sick, you’ll understand that staying in house all day every day for weeks, and cancelling your long awaited holiday in case your colleagues bitch about you, leads to issues with lack of motivation to do very much let alone return to work, and even depression.

There is plenty of research, based on data rather than viewpoints of disgruntled colleagues, that shows getting back to a normal life, including not cancelling vacations if you can travel, is vital for successful and quicker return to work. Thankfully most HR professional appear to have understood this for years.

You might find travelling to Greece stressful and tiring. I would for that matter. But for some people, especially with flight assistance etc it would not be. Speaking as someone who flew to Brazil for work with a recently broken ankle in fracture boot, flight assistance is a mighty fine way to travel, full escort, carrying my baggage, jumping queues, getting picked up and transported everywhere. As I flew a lot for work I considered keeping the boot for future travel even after it healed 🤣🤣🤷‍♀️

I think you can shop for food, rehabilitate eg go to the gym or for a walk. Have a coffee with a friend. I don't think you can holiday abroad, be doing jobs for other people, be seen drinking, clubbing.

Is it a blanket disapproval of anyone going abroad when they’ve been signed off sick? I went abroad when I was off sick, work were fine about it.

Oh god, definitely no clubbing. I think it would kill me!

I get that, but op said she didn’t know what they’d done so it doesn’t sound extensive.

I do think it's different for everyone.

Could I travel right now? No, I don't think I'd get through the airport. But what I can do is sit here and plan my holiday that I'm going on in 4 weeks, I can make lists etc., of what I want to take. So I guess if it was more mentally unwell, it could be a good distraction?

either way, I'm definitely not off on holiday!

I know they removed some cysts/adhesions, but that's about it. I was super out of it when I came round (and crying because I was so relieved, I thought I was going to die and was hyperventilating when I came round, so embarrassing!). My surgeon only spoke very briefly with me, and he's very aloof and describes everything as minimal - he did my mum's hysterectomy and prolapse repair a few years back, he told her no work for three months, etc etc., she had pre-cancerous cells, and he described it as minor!

You need to mind your own business. Glad I didn’t have to deal with you when I went abroad for a week when I was off sick. People like you have no idea what other people are going through. One day if you’re suffering from ill health you might decide a week of sunshine away is just what you need. Hopefully there won’t be another you type tut tutting away in the corner.