Worried to ask work for more time off?

[Kikioo]

I had an operation yesterday. It was meant to be pretty straightforward but they actually found some unexpected things and I was in theatre for about 5 hours.

I'm in a lot of pain but I have painkillers and can just about walk around with help.

I had booked 2 days off work (WFH) the day of the op and the day after, but I don't think I am going to be ready to go back after this. I can't sit for too long without getting sore. My throat also hurts a lot.

I am scared of telling them as I know they'll be annoyed. Should I just grin and bear it? WWYD?

You had surgery yesterday, take the time you need to recover.

Let them be annoyed. I manage a team and wouldn’t expect someone who had just had surgery to be in work 2 days later. You will end up delaying your recovery or give yourself a hernia doing too much too soon. Just say that the operation was more complex than first thought and you’ve been signed off for 2wks minimum. You absolutely shouldn’t be going back yet. When I had an open appendix removal (complex, gangerous and stuck so keyhole failed) I had 3wks off, and when I had major pancreas surgery I had 4 months off. Take it easy and let them be annoyed if they want. You’ve had a big operation

You just had surgery. Take it off as sick don't take it as holiday you're not exactly having a jolly time are you. Then speak to your GP after the 7 days.

Anyone who gets annoyed at someone for having surgery and needing to recover is an absolute penishead.

No reasonable employer (and most are) would be remotely annoyed.

You're not asking them for time off you're telling them you aren't fit to work

@KindlyKanga

You're not asking them for time off you're telling them you aren't fit to work

Absolutely.

Get a fit note, you are off sick recovering from surgery.

You’ve had a medical op-get signed off!

It wasn’t cosmetic surgery though, was it? If so, I’d probably be booking more annual leave for that.

I just feel bad that I said I'd need 2 days and now I'm telling them last minute I'll need more. 😭
No, not cosmetic.

I think you self certify for up to a week now and then after that the doctor will be able to sign you off if still needed.

@Kikioo

I just feel bad that I said I'd need 2 days and now I'm telling them last minute I'll need more. 😭 No, not cosmetic.

You weren't to know though. It's the same with any sickness they have just had the benefit of knowing when the first 2 days would happen.

You'll be fine. Any person should recognise that the body needs to recover post-surgery.

Just tell them sooner rather than later :) and I hope you recover soon!

You're all right, thank you

Why aren't you using sick leave?

Nobody should be expected back to work a day or two after surgery.

Take sick leave, you're ill and it's a genuine illness. I had an op that went wrong, I planned for 3 days sickness but this ended up being 12 weeks. It's just the way things go sometimes. Look after yourself.

Five hours in theatre is a long time. You've had major surgery, think of yourself not work. Let 'them' be annoyed they'll get over it.

Call your manager and explain the surgery was more complex than you'd anticipated and need time off to recover. Hopefully your terms and conditions will cover you for 7 days and if that's not enough ask your GP to sign you off. 💐

Sounds like you need a new employer.