To take booked annual leave after 2 weeks off sick

[wheresmolly]

I've been signed off work for two weeks (last week and this week) after an accident (hand injury). I have annual leave booked for next week and haven't taken any in ages. AIBI to still take my leave or should I postpone to later in the year? I feel bad for leaving colleagues in the lurch (though we are a quite a big team and they seem to be coping). We've been encouraging to take our leave rather than hoard it all until after COVID and all try to take it at once.

So AIBI to take my leave as planned despite having been off for two weeks already?

I don't think YABU, accidents happen. Worth checking your employer's policy though, as where my DH works, annual leave is cancelled if it runs back to back with sick leave unless you go back to work, and they still record you as off sick if you don't go back. The logic being if you don't go back to work you are still sick and it shouldn't be coming off your AL entitlement.

I don't think we have a policy on this but I will double check! I've not had any time off since February and to be honest it would be nice to have the week off as planned, as I had a few things I wanted to do, plus where I've been rather incapacitated I've been unable to drive to see friends/family - as I live alone it would be good to see some people soon!

Definitely not unreasonable. Just make sure they know what day your sick leave ends. In my place they would give you the leave back and you'd have a longer period of sick absence.

do you have plans?
i would run it passed your manager

@Desmondo2016 my sick leave will likely end on Friday this week and then the annual leave is from the following Monday.

I don't know why I feel so guilty - other people have had time off recently and it's not like I've been having a great time while I've been off sick - I've barely even sat in the garden as I've been in so much pain

Why don't you just phone into work and ask them? Personally I don't think it will be a problem taking the time off in the circumstances but at least you'll know and can relax about it.

We have a policy and this wouldn’t be allowed. It’s unfair, but I would double check just in case.

Can’t see why that’s unfair? It’s pre booked and therefor were already anticipating you to be off.

I would speak to work.

A lot of places would cancel your annual leave and give you another two weeks of sick pay instead. Which might be okay for you but if you only get SSP or similar you may not be able to afford to be off so long.

It will probably be fine. Just ring your boss and explain that you have annual leave booked for straight after your sick leave and give date you will be back.

Just make them aware of the AL, you should be fine! Accidents happen.
We have a policy that if you are actually singed off during AL you get the days to take at a later time.

Two years ago I went from a week's annual leave to two weeks' bereavement leave and then into a further two weeks of annual leave - all leave pre booked. It wasn't a problem. Then again I wasn't exactly swanning around having fun... A decent employer will deal with this, accidents happen.

Update: I spoke with my boss and he was very supportive and even suggested I might appreciate the annual leave after not feeling well

The main thing is to tell work you are either remaining on sick leave ( may get leave back) or returning to work albeit on to annual leave . Otherwise your sick leave will automatically continue

very glad to hear it @wheresmolly

YNBU I had an operation on my hand, and the sick leave ended just before a booked holiday. I took it anyway.

I had two weeks off sick following surgery then had a weeks AL which had been booked for ages. I still took it, my manager didn't even bat any eyelid.

I'm glad to hear it - this way you will return to work fully rested and recovered and your best self. Your boss is very sensible.

I'd speak to manager, if you're needed then I would postpone. If manager would rather you used it then you should.
I'd be wary, it doesn't look good to be on sick then hols and if you don't have plans then be flexible.

Yay - glad you have a thoughtful boss!

You've earned it, enjoy your entitlement.