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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To believe you cannot go into work while signed off sick?

37 replies

whatishistory · 17/10/2016 11:10

I'll try to keep this brief. I work for a university. I have had a university library book recalled so that it is now due while I'm signed off sick. I've explained the situation to the library, but they've refused to do anything and will fine me £1 a day.

I know it sounds a small amount, but we have two DDs and my DH was recently made redundant so every penny counts.

I always thought that you're not supposed to go into work/be on the premises while signed off due to insurance purposes. AIBU to email HR and ask for their advice? I've done nothing wrong here. There's nobody else who could go to my office and take it to the library as we are closed down for reading week. My husband and DDs are away visiting grandparents. (The school's are off here in Scotland).

OP posts:

LittleGreyCatwithapinkcollar · 17/10/2016 11:14

I'm a teacher and was signed off in the early summer when I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I still popped in to see classes/discuss phased return etc. Wasn't in any way a problem, and write common I'd imagine for staff to go on while signed off to discuss return etc.

acornsandnuts · 17/10/2016 11:15

I'm sure you can go on site as long as it's not in a work capacity.

OohMavis · 17/10/2016 11:16

Hmm, I suppose it would depend on what you're off sick for? If I was signed off for anxiety or depression for example, I'd still have to do the shopping. Under those circumstances I'd pop quickly into work to drop something off.

If it's something you're bedbound with then obviously not, and I'd be telling them that.

2014newme · 17/10/2016 11:17

It's fine to return a book. That is entirely different to attending work. We don't let people work whilst they are signed off but they can drop items off if need be. If your condition means you are bedridden then either a friend will need to return the book for you or it will have to wait till your husband returns.

MaddyHatter · 17/10/2016 11:17

you shouldn't go to work as if anythin happens IN work, they're not insured.

I don't think that extends to returning a library book any more than it would you popping in to hand in a sick note.

Nan0second · 17/10/2016 11:17

Yes you can go in to return a library book or for meetings with occ health or your manager or to collect payslips...

dementedpixie · 17/10/2016 11:17

You're only dropping a book off, not working so I would just go and take it back

popthisoneout · 17/10/2016 11:18

You can't work while signed off as you're not covered but you can go in to the premises.

MaudGonneMad · 17/10/2016 11:18

Your department shuts down entirely for reading week? Really? Nobody around at all? I find that hard to believe.

Pickitup · 17/10/2016 11:19

Can you post it?

quasibex · 17/10/2016 11:19

It's only an insurance problem if you're signed off with mobility related issues. For example I wasn't allowed on the premises when I broke smashed to pieces my leg from a H&S perspective. However I'm currently on long term sick for something different and would be permitted on premises if required.

Sundance01 · 17/10/2016 11:19

My understanding is that you cannot work - returning a book is not work

Jinglebellsandv0dka · 17/10/2016 11:19

Your dropping a book off not working. It will be fine.

MyKingdomForBrie · 17/10/2016 11:20

Of course you can go in to drop off a book! Or if you're too ill to leave the house, have some one post it. If the library is closed the they would be UR to charge you for the period you're unable to return it.

TheProblemOfSusan · 17/10/2016 11:21

Where I work the fine would accrue, but as soon as you came back with the book and the doctors note showing you were off sick the library would wipe the fine. I've never heard of libraries fining anyway - and personally I don't think libraries should be fining staff at all.

BowieFan · 17/10/2016 11:22

When I was signed off work last year (had a spate of bad panic attacks) I had to go in once or twice to discuss pay slips and a phased return. I don't think there's an issue as long as you're not doing any of your work duties.

Nurszilla · 17/10/2016 11:24

Could you post it?

Whathaveilost · 17/10/2016 11:29

Wouldn't dropping off a book be similar to dropping off a sick note?

In fact when I was off sick for a while we have to have meetings with our supervisor and HR and we are invited to have the meetings at work or at our home. ( I chose a third alternative and had them at a neutral venue)

JosephineMaynard · 17/10/2016 11:35

I'm pretty sure you're allowed to be on work premises as long as you're not actually working.

Certainly at places I've worked before, people signed off as sick have popped in to drop stuff off, or have meetings with HR / managers about return to work.

It's only the ones who actually tried to work as normal - before being cleared as fit to return - who found themselves being told off by HR and escorted off the premises.

shovetheholly · 17/10/2016 11:42

That sounds like a ridiculously harsh policy. Every university library I have borrowed from (and there are a LOT) has waived fines if you present a sick note from the GP. Hell, some of them don't charge at all for overdue books unless they have been recalled.

Remote99 · 17/10/2016 11:45

I work for a university and we are not allowed to bring children under the age of 18 onto the premises without completing a risk assessment form first and getting permission

Carriecakes80 · 17/10/2016 11:52

I worked at a school and I would go in whenever I could to try and stay abreast of things happening. I was signed off with severe migraine and anxiety and told work that I needed to keep up with people if I was in any way ever going to be able to return. No probs returning a book hun xxx Hope you're ok. x

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 17/10/2016 11:55

Yes, the insurance thing only applies if you go into work to DO actual work, I'm pretty sure.
You'd be fine to take the library book back in.

mumwithatum · 17/10/2016 11:58

As a manager we often have staff into work to meet with them regarding occupational health reports etc... and staff are expected to make themselves available for these. If they refuse we have to get them assessed by occupational health to check their fitness to attend meetings. Sometimes we have had staff on long term sick come into work for a cuppa as part of their recovery.
If you have a good reason that you can't - I.e mobility issues or if you were infectious it might be worth ringing HR. If it's just that you don't think you should you could still call HR and check the policy but I would prepare to be disappointed with their response

Judydreamsofhorses · 17/10/2016 12:10

If you are signed off you aren't covered by your employers' insurance - but dropping in a book, sick note or for a meeting is fine. I'm a lecturer and the library fine thing is massively annoying - mine always seem to go out of date on a Friday - but can't you auto-renew online?

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