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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why doctor would be certify someone as unfit for any work with just a sprained ankle?

212 replies

Trevorsarse · 14/08/2021 19:42

Someone my dh works with has been off with a sprained ankle for three weeks. Happened on the last day of his holiday. He has just sent in his fit note (very late) and it says he is not fit for work. He does the same job as my dh, some work on their feet but everyone does plenty of desk work too. So, he could easily just do all the desk bits and other people do all the walking/standing bits. Apparently the boss would be happy to have him do shorter/less hours and take longer breaks too but the guy has said he's not capable as he needs to rest.
It's really effecting their work because there are other people off on holiday on their small team so its putting them under loads of pressure.
I'm just wondering why the doctor signed off as completely unable to work on the grounds of a sprained ankle because surely there is work that he can do? When I sprained mine (and it was bad as I ended up needing an operation on it) I just had 4 days off and then went back to work on my crutches with my colleagues helping me out fetching stuff etc. Never thought to get signed off for over 3 weeks! Am I the mug here?

OP posts:
Kitkat151 · 15/08/2021 11:15

@FrankButchersDickieBow

Well the doctor has signed them off as not fit to work. The rest of it is really none of your business.
This
Miraloma · 15/08/2021 11:33

@tass1960

I fractured my ankle yesterday - am in a cast and am dreading the phone call to my manager tomorrow. I don't know how long I will need but that will be her first question. I've to elevate my leg as much as possible for 2 weeks - will have various virtual and face to face appointments with fracture clinic too. Im just going to go with what my GP says re sick line. If I feel I can WFH or get into the office (when I can get a lift) further down the line I will do that though.
Hopefully your boss is understanding, can't promise the work group chat and their wives will approve though.
tass1960 · 15/08/2021 12:29

My boss will be LIVID. She does not have a compassionate bone in her body. Am not happy to have a fractured ankle and I was only pottering around in the garden when it happened ... I do have to cover a lot when my colleagues are off and this will my first absence. It is hard going when you're covering but I can't really help it. I won't kick the arse out of it and will be back as soon as I can . Am not going to stress about it - got enough stress trying to get to the toilet 😍

Sorrycantreadtest · 15/08/2021 20:46

I sprained some muscles in my leg. Hospital told me to rest it and my go kept me signed off for about four weeks in all. My leg was black from my hip to my toes. Turned out I had actually torn a muscle and even now, I ha e serious mobility issues stemming from that injury. This was ten years ago. Sometimes a sprain is rather more serious than you are assuming.

Original poster
Trevorsarse · 16/08/2021 22:09

Update
The guy has posted pics of himself on his Facebook. He was out Saturday night with a group of friends. Looks like they had a really great time, pints and a curry. Even got a full length pic of him, no sign of any bandage or strapping (wearing shorts so would be very obvious) and did not appear to be even in the slightest pain, laughing and raising his pint (definitely not his leg).
Maybe of course, he was using crutches kept out of pics, but it doesn’t seem like he is in a particularly serious condition. Still, he’s signed off unable to do any work even from home for at least several more days.

OP posts:
CabbagesGreen · 16/08/2021 22:13

Bit silly of him to post a pic like that but its the same as when people with depression go on holiday and post a pic and people judge them. Just keep your beak out you don't know what is going on.

TSSDNCOP · 16/08/2021 22:23

If the GP has signed him off that's it, no ifs or buts.

As an employer it's unfortunate, but not as unfortunate as the mother of all insurance claims if he damages it further at work, when he's been medically signed off.

I would caution you against using the FB picture too. Nothing to say you can't go out if you're signed off.

The employer should be following their long term absence policy including an OH for reasonable adjustment on his return.

Remember this, the same laws protecting this employee also protect your husband should he ever be in a similar boat.

Original poster
Trevorsarse · 16/08/2021 22:25

Gosh sorry yes. I’m sure whenever he’s not out having a great night with his mates, he’s in absolutely excruciating pain. Poor lamb. I’m actually going to start a fundraiser for the inevitable intensive physio and probably alterations to his home to make it accessible for him. I’ll get right onto it now.

OP posts:
Planty13 · 16/08/2021 22:27

I feel so strongly about this fact this is NONE of your business and is only between them and their GP

TSSDNCOP · 16/08/2021 22:33

Ok, be as sarky as you like OP. You're entitled to your opinion.

Like I said, just bear in mind that employment and health and safety laws protect everyone. Imagine now, your own DP suffers and injury or MH crisis, you'd want them there then wouldn't you?

Like it or not, his GP (presumably a person with actual medical training) deems it appropriate, and that is that.

Dartsplayer · 16/08/2021 22:35

@FrankButchersDickieBow

Well the doctor has signed them off as not fit to work. The rest of it is really none of your business.
This
TSSDNCOP · 16/08/2021 22:36

It's really effecting their work because there are other people off on holiday on their small team so its putting them under loads of pressure.

And perhaps the onus is on the employer to resource better to allow for the unexpected, which an accident most surely is.

jobbeedancer · 16/08/2021 22:42

Actually a sprain can be worse than a broken bone.

But sprain seems such a weak word people think it's nothing, a sprain can leave you in crutches for 3-4 months where as a broken bone 6-8weeks.

CabbagesGreen · 16/08/2021 22:44

@Trevorsarse

Gosh sorry yes. I’m sure whenever he’s not out having a great night with his mates, he’s in absolutely excruciating pain. Poor lamb. I’m actually going to start a fundraiser for the inevitable intensive physio and probably alterations to his home to make it accessible for him. I’ll get right onto it now.
He hasn't said he needs any of that. He just can't work for a bit.
CabbagesGreen · 16/08/2021 22:44

@Planty13

I feel so strongly about this fact this is NONE of your business and is only between them and their GP
Yes why are you so obsessed with him?
XenoBitch · 16/08/2021 22:46

Again, his Gop signed him off. I assume that this chap attended A&E at some point to rule out a broken bone. This will be known to his GP.

I wish people would mind their own business when it comes to other people being off sick. I had time off for depression and was spotted by a colleague on night out (my friends literally dragged me out my flat), and I got absolutely blasted for it at work. Being off sick (unless you have the flu) does not mean you have to stay at home and hide away.

XenoBitch · 16/08/2021 22:47

GP, not Gop.

CabbagesGreen · 16/08/2021 22:50

@XenoBitch I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. I don't know why people assume if you can't work you mustn't leave the house.

XenoBitch · 16/08/2021 22:53

[quote CabbagesGreen]@XenoBitch I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. I don't know why people assume if you can't work you mustn't leave the house.[/quote]
It is a common misconception. I remember leaping out of an aisle in Tesco to avoid the view of someone from my work place when I was off sick.

TheSkatesOfCoachBombay · 16/08/2021 22:55

Oh leave the bloke alone. His GP signed him off. That's it, end of story.

Stop spying on him and being sarcastic.

People can still go out when they are signed off work.

I actually encouraged one of my employees when she had really bad depression to go shopping with friends or out for a nice meal if she felt up for it, and it would not reflect badly on her whatsoever, I just wanted her to feel better in herself. I assured her I'd stem any office gossip and say yes I'm aware of it I encouraged her to get out and about for her mental health. Please file any complaints in my office bin.

MrsSkylerWhite · 16/08/2021 22:57

If he’s on crutches it’s probably ligaments or tendons, which can take weeks to heal properly. In the meantime, they can be extremely painful.

CabbagesGreen · 16/08/2021 22:59

@XenoBitch I've had similar. It annoys me so much. It's between the employee, the GP and the employer.

XenoBitch · 16/08/2021 22:59

@Trevorsarse

Update The guy has posted pics of himself on his Facebook. He was out Saturday night with a group of friends. Looks like they had a really great time, pints and a curry. Even got a full length pic of him, no sign of any bandage or strapping (wearing shorts so would be very obvious) and did not appear to be even in the slightest pain, laughing and raising his pint (definitely not his leg). Maybe of course, he was using crutches kept out of pics, but it doesn’t seem like he is in a particularly serious condition. Still, he’s signed off unable to do any work even from home for at least several more days.
Most people like to have photos taken of them when they are having fun and looking good. What were you expecting? Him to be grimacing in pain? People show their best side on social media. Maybe stop stalking him.
XenoBitch · 16/08/2021 23:04

[quote CabbagesGreen]@XenoBitch I've had similar. It annoys me so much. It's between the employee, the GP and the employer.[/quote]
My workplace was awful for breaking confidentiality about staff sickness. Supervisor would come out the office and just tell everyone. I had a good friend/colleague who was signed off with "stress". That got spread about and everyone bitched how our job was not stressful so why was he signed off (we were hospital cleaners/porters). He was actually signed off due to his bipolar disorder, which I can guarantee not a single person in our department would have understood.

TSSDNCOP · 16/08/2021 23:04

@XenoBitch a colleague where I work "reported" a sighting of a signed off colleague in a local convenience shop.

Signed off colleague was apparently buying alcohol and did not stop and chat to reporting colleague.

The rude, alcohol buying, swinging lead bastard had just been diagnosed with cervical cancer.