Going to the gym when signed off work?

[hunge]

DH thinks this is hugely unreasonable and is shocked I even suggested it … surely it isn’t?

Depends what type of illness you’re signed off. Check the nhs website as many conditions suggest getting exercise and you can show DH or anyone from work that happens to quiz you on it lol

It really, really depends why you are signed off work.

I see a NHS physio once a week for my chronic health issues. I just do a set of exercises with him whilst we watches and sees how my issue is progressing. Sometimes he adds things, sometimes he doesn’t. The physio has lots of equipment there that I can’t access at the gym hence why I need to see him once a week.

As part of my treatment plan he advises that I go to the gym 3 x a week as well. I wouldn’t take time off work to go to the gym as it isn’t the same, but if I was signed off work for my chronic health I would still attend the gym if I could as I would just end up sicker. Signed off from work = not well enough to do the job, not has to stay in the house all the time.

@hunge I think as long as you have some ok from GP or other clinician, its absolutely fine. I would see it as part of your recovery. Just would get ok from GP or physio to make sure it's all ok and you don't overdo it

Think your taking the piss to be honest and that comes from someone with 20 years back pain. If ur fit enough to drive to gym them get in pool then your fit enough to work

Not everyone’s back pain is the same.
Someone’s ability to drive or swim does not necessarily correlate to their ability to do their job. It’s amazing anyone could think just because someone could do a short drive and a very gentle swim or walk in the pool that they’re capable of managing a long day at work.

Sorry, as someone with back problems i would think this piss taking.

Definitely NBU! Any of the things you’ve mentioned helps your back, and is quite likely to aid recovery! Therefore, maybe back to work sooner than otherwise. Anyone who doesn’t think this, has never had a bad back, or a long term condition that needs managing.

If the gym helps with the injury than do it, I broke both my elbows once, had weeks off work and swam every day - and work knew this. If it's what's physio would recommend do it.

Bring it up to your line manager when discussing what you are doing to get fit to get back to the office.

In my place of work it would be expected that you would be doing something to improve your situation, if possible.

Sick leave isn't house arrest. We are all adults, if you need to go to the gym, go swimming or even on holiday to get well enough to get back into the office, there shouldn't be any shame in that.

Depends- off for mental health issues- absolutely fine.
Off for cold, flu, sickness etc - not fine

If your back is bad enough for you to be signed off from work, I assume you've seen a physiotherapist, or are at the very least following some kind of sensible advice regarding training and exercises related to your injury. If going to the gym is in accordance with that, then fine. It's likely going to both speed up your recovery and help prevent the problem from recurring. If your work finds out, you just tell them it's part of your treatment plan.

Had a slipped disc years ago, left my disc with permanent damage, also had a few bulging discs, absolutely agree that sitting is the worst thing ever, even for a few minutes. I used to go to the gym just for walks on treadmill which was so good for me. Resting is so bad, gentle exercise is so good! Go to the gym if that helps you

Not even vaguely unreasonable. You’re trying to get back to work by exercising sensibly by the sound of it. Being signed off sick means you’re not able to work, not that you have to sit in the house with the curtains drawn as some sort of penance.

I have worked in personnel for a number of years and it has always been understood that if you report in sick you do not go out of the house. If therapy, dr visits etc are necessary you let your supervisor know.

That is an absolutely ridiculous policy. Was that formally written down? How is a single person with a longer episode of being I’ll supposed to just stay home until they’re well enough to go back to work? Surely covid isolation has shown us all how miserable and inconvenient that is. It’s not helpful in recovering either.

That sounds enormously problematic and possibly discriminatory. Not to mention counter productive.

That surely can’t be an actual policy?

Maybe once you have recovered you should consider a standing desk?

Company-policed house arrest for anyone with the temerity to be ill or injured?

Depends entirely what you are signed off for and what your job is. Signed off with mental health issues? without question no issue with going to the gym. Signed off work with a broken back? maybe not so much

But to follow up on my comment, I have found that people have some very old fashioned opinions about sick leave. They believe that being signed off means that you can't do anything remotely fun or physical, I have a high stress job that involves a lot of screen time, even if I was off with a physical illness, going to the gym has nothing to do with my ability to work.

My comment more relates to whether you would hurt yourself or not. Go to the gym.

What crap. If you are off sick with mental health issues, hiding in your house is the worse thing you can do.
Why would someone with say, something like a broken wrist, need to stay at home?
Ridiculous.

Depends what their job is. If it involves heavy lifting, then time off is wise. Gentle exercise like swimming would be sensible.

It really does depend on the reason you are off and the difference exercise would make. If mental health - definitely go, it improves mood and even patients in hospital are encouraged to attend gym. If an injury, back pain etc, yes if it's likely to be beneficial such as pirates, yoga or gentle swimming, or sitting in a sauna. If it's something contagious then obviously not.