To think being unfit for work doesn't mean unfit for anything.

[Carbosug]

A colleague has been certified as unfit for work for the last ten days or so having caught a nasty virus. She's due back in work on Wed. Another colleague saw her in the supermarket yesterday and is chuntering about it being 'disgraceful', 'abusing sick leave' etc.

I've pointed out that pottering around the shops and commuting to a full time job are two very different things but she doesn't seem to get it. AIBU to find this attitude annoying and silly?

Deliveries are helpful to a degree, but unless you stockpile painkillers, you would need to get replacements every three days, unless you could get to a pharmacy for larger amounts.

grannieanne eek I do think you might've been on thin ice attending a 50th party when off with pneumonia, sorry! I can understand if you only went for an hour, but it was a party, not a more serious event like a funeral, or even wedding of close family member/friend.

I'm a line manager and have dealt with many attendance issues with my subordinate over the years. Some things (even if you think are a bit off, because you know the person well!) such as going on a holiday while signed off, you must accept on face value if the person has a doctor's note.

If someone was signed off with work stress and then went out for a coffee or shopping, I probably would have a chat with HR

I suspect HR would instantly note this against you on your personal record, silvercuckoo, and would suggest your boss has a discussion at your appraisal about your empathy, personal skills and knowledge of the world. To say nothing of your time-wasting during working hours having pointless chats with HR. Because most people in HR would be well aware that having work stress doesn't mean behaving like a prisoner in your own home, and that often recovery involves going out and about occasionally doing normal human things like shopping or having coffee in a cafe.

It's very revealing that, when challenged on this, the example you brought up was someone going off volunteering abroad when signed off sick. It's not quite the same thing, is it?

Once upon a time people understood the meaning of convalescence
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convalescence

My fit for work note stated I was recovering from Pneumonia, not bed bound or in hospital. Furthermore she made incorrect statements about the content of my Social Media profile, which, isn't under my real name or connected to any work colleague. She would have to have gone hunting for it and even then what she reported back to me was factually incorrect. The whole incident is part of a bigger picture of harassment and victimisation...i'll let you know how the Tribunal goes ;-)

Ahahahah
I work for a community mental health team.
I’m signed off because I’ve got PTSD after pregnancy loss.
My case load includes people who are experiencing similar things to me. It was deemed inappropriate by my line manager and oh for me to continue working until I feel better.

I’m going to Waitrose now for some bread, and I will be popping to a local deli for some lunch with DH this afternoon