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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To go to work with a broken wrist?

23 replies

susannahmoodie · 20/09/2014 12:48

I broke my wrist on Thursday. I was off yesterday as they thought I might have needed surgery but it didn't thank goodness. So am now wondering if I can go in on Monday. The orthopaedic dr said it was up to me but a relative who is a nurse says I must have a week off as at the moment I don't have a full cast on, it's only a half one due to swelling.

I'm a right handed teacher and it's my right wrist. So I'll struggle to write on board, mark books manually, lift books and my laptop etc, but I teach all ks4 and 5 students who I figure can scribe/fetch stuff/help out. I can still actually teach and use computer so really I think I should be in, I really can't afford to miss lessons with my a level classes.

I have 2dcs aged 1 and 3 and tbh I think work might be easier than being at home around them (dh sahp).

But I don't really know the protocol with this type of thing?? Are there any guidelines as to what I can or can't do?

OP posts:

SpringBreaker · 20/09/2014 12:50

Speak to your boss.

LadyLuck10 · 20/09/2014 12:51

Check with your school??

IsItFridayYetPlease · 20/09/2014 12:54

In recent years several of our staff have returned that quickly with broken limbs, but it has to be your decision as you alone know the pain you are in and whether you feel you can safely carry out the job. Are you a risk to yourself or others at work? If you do return their should be a formal risk assessment in place and reasonable adjustments made by the HT.

Hope you mend soon!

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 20/09/2014 12:54

I would have thought that this is a decision you can make for yourself - there's not going to be a fixed rule.

Sirzy · 20/09/2014 12:54

As long as the school are happy (they may need to an individual risk assessment first) I would go in.

Original poster

susannahmoodie · 20/09/2014 12:54

Yes I know that seems obvious but it's the weekend and I feel like I need to decide whether to go in or not on mon but won't be able to speak to anyone before then.

OP posts:

IsItFridayYetPlease · 20/09/2014 12:55

there not their. And I call myself an English teacher!

AnotherStitchInTime · 20/09/2014 12:56

I agree, you are less likely to do yourself harm teaching older teenagers who can write for you, carry things etc... If you are at home I don't think the 1 and 3 year old will really understand to be careful and not clamber on you.

Speak to your Head re: health and safety, they may want something in writing from your doctor to cover you being fit for work.

Fatmanbuttsam · 20/09/2014 12:58

I think you'll be grand....I broke my right wrist and am right handed ....had surgery late afternoon/early evening, went home that night and was fine for work the next day. You will need so much time off for fracture clinics (never a speedy place) that when you can work you should

HicDraconis · 20/09/2014 13:00

The only guideline I tend to give people is "if it hurts don't do it". I'd suggest staying at home if you're requiring stronger painkillers than paracetamol, or if you need to keep your hand elevated for swelling. Otherwise see how you feel over the next day or so, you don't need to make a decision until Sunday evening really.

Can you get some extra help in the classroom for things you'd need a right hand to do?

GreenPetal94 · 20/09/2014 13:01

It depends how much pain you are in

CMOTDibbler · 20/09/2014 13:02

Yes, but use a sling that will enable you to keep your wrist higher than your heart to reduce swelling.

I was in plaster for 12 weeks, then had another 8 weeks in plaster 6 months after that, and then 4 weeks 6 months after that, and pretty much worked through it, including flying for work in the second two instances.

duchesse · 20/09/2014 13:14

Wrist and you feel you can do your job without too much detriment to your health, go for it. I wouldn't have thought you could do same with a broken leg/ankle though as you'd have to elevate. I work from home in a desk bound job so when I broke my ankle I was able to carry on working, but wouldn't have been able to if I'd still been a teacher.

If KS4 & 5, appoint a scribe for each lesson and dictate to them what you want on the board. They are brilliant at that age and should step up to the plate. I'll eat my hat if they're not lovely to you.

duchesse · 20/09/2014 13:15

Oh and for the duration mark their work in class with them- just get them to swap with friends.

bronya · 20/09/2014 13:23

You could physically do it. Once you have the proper cast on though you might actually be able to use some fingers. Having been a teacher, I remember well that if you're back, you're back - they will expect full marking up to the policy, usual lessons etc. If you can't deliver those, don't go in. If you have a particularly understanding head teacher, could you email them today (I bet they'll pick it up over the weekend), saying that you can stand and talk at the students, explain stuff etc but will be completely unable to use that hand, and therefore will be unable to mark at the required rate (or neatness!), write much on the board etc. Ask what he/she would prefer - that you stay off until you have a proper cast and can manage more, or go back earlier and get them to peer mark etc. If he/she emails back that it's ok to go in and do less, then at least you've got that in writing...

Original poster

susannahmoodie · 20/09/2014 13:42

Thanks everyone, yes they do have the 'if you're back you're back" attitude whereas I would prefer to be in and do what I can.

I will email ht today and set out my predicament.

OP posts:

wheresthelight · 20/09/2014 20:04

this may have been covered but I would ring your school as their health and safety rules may not allow you on site especially as you don't have a full cast on.

I have just left my work but our site insurance doesn't allow you on site in plaster and have seen this in previous roles

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 20/09/2014 20:11

I think you will need to be very careful until the cast is completed, it is not as supported at this point as it will be in the full cast. When do they intend to complete it?
Would it be a good idea to wait until the cast is completed and then you will have better protection from any knocks?
I would talk to your head teacher and see what they suggest, but I personally would be wary about going back with an uncompleted cast.

Original poster

susannahmoodie · 21/09/2014 15:34

The full cast will be put on on Thursday.

Yes, I'm a little worried about being jostled in corridors/on duty etc so I have raised this with the ht too.

OP posts:

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 21/09/2014 16:15

That is what would concern me. (But then I worked in Peads orthopaedics and we never discharged with an uncompleted cast - so they always went back to school in completed casts). I would suggest you ask if they can allow you to work from home / or somewhere on campus away from the crowds till the cast is completed. Though that may not be possible I guess.
Hope they can work round it for you.

PiperIsOrange · 21/09/2014 17:21

I would take the next week off from lessons, you risk further damage without a full cast on.

No job is worth your heath

PiperIsOrange · 21/09/2014 17:21

I would take the next week off from lessons, you risk further damage without a full cast on.

No job is worth your heath

ShadowStar · 21/09/2014 17:51

It might be an idea to ring your school and check their health and safety policy on this.

I can think of 2 examples at work where colleagues came in with broken arm / wrist bones in casts after having to take a few days off as a result of the breaks, and were subsequently sent home by HR because they'd not been signed off as fit to work by doctors. Apparently there's possible issues around insurance and the potential for an employee to claim in a tribunal that they were forced to work when incapable of doing so due to injury.

I work in an office btw, and the normal duties of these colleagues are less physically taxing than what you describe.

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