To refuse to answer the phone to my boss

[AhYerWill]

I'm currently off sick as I had a fairly major surgery less than 24 hours ago with a GA. In pain and feeling pretty shite really. mostly just trying to catch up on sleep after disturbed night. Didn't react too well to the GA (they kept me in an extra 4 hours as weren't happy with my obs) which is probably not helping.

Boss keeps phoning (and woke me up the first time - I'm using the alarm on my phone to wake me up every 2 hours to take medications so it was by the bed - phone on silent now!). Hasn't emailed/texted etc which is our normal communication format (I work in a remote office from him), and which I wouldn't mind.

My sick leave has been planned for weeks, all work handed off, nothing outstanding that someone else can't handle, so really can't think of any reason for him to be calling, other than to chase me back to work (he has form for this - told one of my team members they couldn't take a half day last month when she had dialysis booked).

Surgeon advised to take 2 weeks off minimum, but boss pushed me into agreeing to return next week (which was stupid on my part, but he put me under a lot of pressure and made me feel guilty for letting the team down).

AIBU to a)not pick up his calls today and b) feel fed up with this?

I'm feeling quite all over the show emotionally right now so may be being unreasonable and reading more into this than necessary.

Maybe because it wasnt one call but continual calls until OP answered.

Op I would definitely reiterate what others have said that Yanbu and should take the full 2 weeks as advised. Hope your recovery is straightforward.

However TryingToForgeAnewLife I'm intested in your negative comments about day surgery. The is a huge amount of evidence that when possible (so for a patient where they have support at home and there are no immediate complications or concerns) Daycase surgery is associated with much better outcomes. Reduced risk of hospital acquired infections, thromboembolism, and more relaxing for patients recovering in familiar surroundings to start off with. Nothing about wanting to push people out but to follow best practice and do the best for patients. And we would always give advice about how to come back if unexpected complications develop at home, which is actually very rare.

There is this big myth about it being all about trying to save money and while it can't be denied this is cheaper that's not the main driver behind the push to do more as a Daycase. Unplanned readmission and being sued for negligence if anything goes wrong is more expensive than a couple of nights in hospital anyway so this certainly wouldn't be being promoted if it wasn't safe. Although actually, being more efficient and doing things for less is important to preserve the valuable NHS resources for all of us in anycase.

One potential negative is dickheads like the op's boss thinking it can't have been major surgery, but like others have said recovery guidelines are still the same but the recovery is taking place in a more comfortable environment.

I don't think it's harassment for a manager to catch up with a sick colleague.

It is when he rang several times, and has already persuaded OP not to take the full amount of time for recovery that her surgeon advised.

Plus he rang the day after her GA. he didn't even give her a few days grace

Hope you are recovering well @AhYerWill