To not know what is allowed when signed off sick

[Justasconfusedwithnumber2]

I am in my second pregnancy and have just been signed off with breathing difficulties for 3 weeks while prescription kicks in. I have never been signed off before so don't know what is expected. I assume I am OK to pop to the shops etc if needed? I work part time so will have my eldest son the rest of the time. Only problem is I have tickets to a stand up comedy show at the weekend. I assume I shouldn't go now? Absolutely gutted as it was booked a year ago 😢

I dont know OP I wouldn't go to be honest. Yes you might not be technically breaking doctors orders (though a comedy show doesn't sound very 'restful' to be fair). But I think a lot of employers would take a dim view. I'm not sure they would do anything but I think they would suspect you of 'milking it' if they found out. I know employees who have been doing extra work in their colleagues absence who have reported their colleagues for their activities on sick leave and it caused ill feeling even if no action was taken. I know its disappointing but I dont think it's worth it

I would say you're fine to go to the shops and fune to go to the show, its not doing a days work is it, relaxing and having fun might make you feel better.

Countrylifeornot
I'd certainly raise an eyebrow if one of my colleagues was off sick for a physical condition and in a comedy club though I must say.

Why? How does it affect you?

Surely the OP and her doctors are the only people who know what she is capable of.

OP doesn't say a comedy club either - a stand up comedian. I'd have assumed more like a show at a local theatre or arena. So sat down in a chair foe 1.5-2 hours watching someone on stage.

Some people has long term sickness and can be off work for weeks or months. Do you think they should have to sit in the house all that time?

Also in HR and I wouldn't bat a eyelid if someone did this. Fit to work and fit to do other stuff in your life aren't the same thing, as I frequently have to remind managers! Going to the shops, driving etc, even going to the cinema or for coffee with mates or whatever aren't prohibited.

Be mindful how your boss and colleagues see it though, as a lot will depend on your sickness policy and the culture of your company/your managers. Go to the event but maybe keep it off social media (better yet don't have your work colleagues on social media at all!) to prevent gossipy shit stirrers stirring the pot.

I'd keep it off sm but go. Sometimes people are not fit for their full contractual services and therefore part-time. You are not well enpugh to attend work part-time and look after a littlie. I am HR and wouldn't have a problem with this. I wpuld have a problem if your job was physically demanding, you were signed off for physical reasons, but well enough to go white water raftimg for a fortnight.

It's about communication op. Keep the channels open with yr mgr. I had a v diff pg with dd. I cd look after a three year old, I wd not have been well enough to go to work as well.

You should be fine to go to the show - it is not at all the same as working a full day, it's a couple of hours sat down in a theatre.

Go to your gig if you feel well enough. I've been off work since April and have been going through treatment for cancer. I've just had surgery and will be off for another couple of months but when I feel well enough I'll definitely try to go out and do some 'normal' things. It's depressing enough feeling shit never mind being stuck indoors for weeks on end.

Can I just make it clear here - YOU decide if you are unfit to work. Not the GP. The GP is only giving you the option if you need to by giving you a sick note. You need to take responsibility for being off work / not off work. If you feel well enough to work then go to work. It depends on your work surely. If you feel well enough for part of your work then ask your employer if they can accommodate lighter duties for a bit. Unless your work is very strenuous I expect you are fit enough to do some of it if you are considering continuing with normal day to day life like shops and shows.

I personally wouldn’t go to the gig. There’s no issue with bobbing out for shopping. You have to eat after all. If you go to the gig you’re giving your employer ammunition to be difficult. In my work (Police) they can’t use pregnancy sickness against you but I don’t know whether that’s across the board. Hope you’re feeling better soon x

What's your job OP? I think for most jobs, sitting in a comedy club is less taxing that an 8 or 12 hour shift. I wouldn't plaster it over FB tho

It depends entirely what your job is.

You could be signed off for a very specific reason that affects your job, but nothing else.

For example, I could have a broken finger and be unable to be a surgeon, but I would still be fit to go to the cinema. If it feels reasonable, then it probable is.

I've been to a show whilst off on sick leave. I was off my head on painkillers so no way I could do my job, but I could sit in a theatre for a couple of hours after resting all day. Actually, I dozed off in the theatre too.

It just means the gp recommends you rest more, going to a show isnt forbidden, do what you would normally do and dont feel guilty.

Go

It’s a Comedy show, not a hike up Everest

I think a lot of us grew up with the ‘if you’re well enough to do x, you’re well enough to go to school’

...fair enough (& I may have said it myself!!)

So we feel guilty doing anything nice if we are ‘off sick’ , truly we don’t need to stay inside on the sofa looking miserable!

The only thing with the comedy is, do you think your breathing will be ok if you’re laughing loads?!

@Justasconfusedwithnumber2

Blimey I would still go.

Do work even have to know/find out?

As a few posters have said, you are still allowed to leave the house!

Just go but keep it quiet!

DH had a week off (after a small-ish hospital procedure) in the summer, and by the Friday (his procedure was Monday) he was OK and we went to the beach (about an hour's drive.) We took a few pics and he went to post them on facebook.

I said 'are you mad? Don't do that!' I mean, he may not have been doing much wrong, but posting pics on facebook of him at the beach when he was off sick just seemed a bit off . So he waited and put them on a few days later and made out he went on the Sunday instead. (The day before he went back to work!)

"So if you post lots of pics of you socialising, someone snide might drop poison in the wrong ear."

But someone could see her out as well.

It's an office job with long ish drives to London maybe 1/3 days. And yes it's a theatre type show not a comedy club. Won't be drinking obv as I am pregnant. Not on sm with work colleagues

Popping to shops is fine if you’re able, but laughing at a comedy show when you’re having breathing difficulties probably isn’t a wise move.

Your duty when you’re off work sick is to get better and give yourself ample opportunity to recover as easily and quickly as possible. If spending time walking to the shop makes you worse, try to avoid it.

You’re allowed “out”
The only issue is if you’re seen to be doing something that you’ve said you can’t do. Eg if you’ve said you’re not well enough to drive but then enter a rally driving race.
I was signed off for back pain. I spent ages out. Walking. On the advice of the GP. I couldn’t go to a show as I couldn’t sit. If getting to and from and sitting through a show won’t make you breathless then go. If it’ll aggravate your condition then don’t.

I wouldn’t go further than the local Tesco Express if I was off work sick. The culture at my work really frowns on people being off ill, and I would be afraid of people gossiping about me. I know that’s not the norm though.

OK thanks all