To ignore work emails while signed off sick?

[Crazycatlady123]

I'm pregnant and I've been signed off sick with pelvic pain (can barely walk) which was diagnosed while I was on annual leave.

I find it hard to forget about work and the timing of being off isn't great, I work in a busy office for a large company - but AIBU to expect not to be bombarded with emails and texts from another member of the team when she knows full well I'm signed off sick from work?

I made sure my house was in order so to speak before my hols, It's just making me stressed having demands on me when I'm not there.

Or should I be expected to respond in order to get the work that needs to be done, done while I'm out?

SandyY2K yup good point, I've set a precedent and had I not had checked in the first place, I wouldn't have this issue.

Hotwaterbottle1 sounds like you've had a tough year, hope things are getting easier for you

Thanks all for the input, I feel I've been helpful as I can but after initial couple emails some of the queries were getting a bit bloody ridiculous and it'll just go on and on otherwise.

Manager contacted. Removed my access to check emails. Will ignore any further texts to my personal phone (unless it's an emergency). World will keep on spinning.

Crisp is correct, potential qualms is talking bullshit.

You should NOT be contacted when off sick. You should NOT check emails. The employer could end up in the shit for allowing you to work while off sick.

There are very few legal reasons that an employer is allowed to contact you when on sick, such as to discuss return to work, etc. General work stuff is not permitted.

I really wish folk would stop hiving awful advise by making shit up that they clearly know nothing about on these boards.

Stop reading them.

It's not just what it means for that particular individual at that time, it's what it says about the culture of the organisation. It's not healthy for there to be an expectation that while you're off sick - and therefore considered unfit for work - you should still be working. It's very bad management practice to place employees in a position where they feel obliged to do what work they can if they're not actually unconscious or dead, and everyone who just "answers a few emails to be helpful" adds to that culture and that expectation.

Are these emails demanding an instant reply?

Or are they just emails that would be sent in the normal course of work?

If the latter, you can't expect people to withhold sending you anything till you return, they have jobs to do as well.

I am with pp in that if it takes you 2 seconds to answer a query, then do it if it saves your colleagues ages. (Although I say that as I work in a job where I am the only one who does it, so even if I ignore it, it will still be there in an even bigger pile when I get back - your situation may be different.)

Or just don't turn your computer on/check phone at all. But don't turn it on and then complain you are getting emailed!

If they're texting your personal number ask them not to.

But stop checking your work email. That's your choice and people aren't "bombarding" you. They're doing their job. They can't help that you've decided to log on.

I agree with page - you shouldn't reply. It's not 'helpful', it's setting a bad precedent that could make things worse for other employees and for the company later on.