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?

Bollocks. It's people who have employees who constantly swing the lead, and people who have to take on extra workloads to cover workshy slackers who are doing the 'berating,' not the bloody self employed. And the OP is hardly really ill and 'running herself into the ground' when she's fucking off out to the gym! Daft comment.

@BrightYellowDaffodil

Yeah, you're not a manager. No 'manager' would say this. 'people on sick can do whatever they want and no-one at the workplace can tell them different.' What utter rot.'

I have a colleague that was out of work for 6 months last year. He had suffered with back problems for years. While out sick, he went to the gym as often as he could as part of his rehabilitation. Its not unreasonable IMO and other colleagues and manager didnt seem to think it was unreasonable either.

People who have a problem with OP going to the gym, do you also have a problem with her going to the physiotherapist? Because it’s essentially the same thing.

But she could be going for back exercises.

OP if the trip is to support any aspect of your health then it's not unreasonable.

WTAF? 😂 You actually believe this don't you? Good luck when you tell your employer you are going to the physiotherapist, (and then sneak off to the gym,) and they find you out. I am SURE they will think they're the same. 😂

Give me strength.

@PurpleButterflyWings why is that so weird? I booked a PT for rehab sessions while I was off sick and spent a lot of time in the gym and walking
I was relearning to use my leg properly, trying to strengthen it, and my core. I was signed off for a minimum of 8 weeks by the hospital but told to walk as much as I could and also given exercises to do

So it’s ok to do the back exercises if they’re in the physio office but not ok to do the same exercises at the gym? Ok then.
My employer wouldn’t care because they want employees to do whatever they need to get better. We have a gym at my office.

You're definitely not being unreasonable to go for a swim if it helps. I can't believe that so many posters here don't understand that "able to do something required for recovery" isn't the same as "able to work all day in a job that causes further harm."

In case you're unlucky enough to have a manager who thinks they're more medically trained than your doctor (like some on this thread), I'd recommend speaking to a doctor or physio about your plans, so you know that you have their back-up.

I mean it’s not the same thing at all, because I don’t go to the physio to do exercises, I go to be assessed. So... it’s pretty different tbh.

I don’t actually have an issue with her going to the gym in itself, just confused as to how it seems very different for different people over whether they’re getting sick notes or not for the same sort of issue.

It’s fine OP. Going to the gym to do exercises that help the back problem is not an issue.

When you have physiotherapy, you don't only do exercises at the physiotherapist's office. You also practice those exercises every day. Depending on the exercises, that might require a gym or a pool.

But I'm sure you knew that, and your 😂😂 are just your sign that you're on a wind-up. Nobody would really think that OP should go against medical advice, do no exercise, go to work... and end up getting signed off for longer once she's made her back even worse.

Assessed for what? A doctor can diagnose the issue. The point of going to a physiotherapist vs any other healthcare practitioner is physical therapy (clue in the name!) which usually takes the form of prescribed exercises which will help the injury heal if done regularly.

Can also involve massage etc.

I'd say that in this instance it's all in the phrasing, op, as in my opinion you're not actually going to the gym you're going to use the pool and steam room. 🤷‍♀️ So many people put a distinction on it - including me as at first thought YWBU - that it's definitely worth stating the difference.

The answers on this thread definitely back me up! 😂

A GP can’t always diagnose the issue - you’d normally be referred by them to a physio or onwards to another service to confirm the diagnosis. A GP will provide the pain relief etc.

It's all perception isn't it?

I've gone to the gym whilst signed off as was encouraged to do so after an absolute nightmare run of chest infections.

I stayed in regular contact with my line manager and said I'm doing it and why. All good.

Problem is when you've got an office glass back who manages to come down with something a couple of times a year for a couple of weeks at a time and is seen by multiple staff members doing x, y and z.

Of course getting yourself to the gym for rehab work isn't a problem, it's when you're apparently at deaths door but you're doing a workout that the Crossfit lot would balk at that it becomes a topic of conversation.

<checks email sign off and structure chart>

Yup, definitely a manager. With people who report to me and everything .

And if you read what I actually wrote compared with what you've indicated I've said, you'll find they're different things.

Still, bless you for trying though.

Good managers recognise that going to the gym is a sign of an employee with a back injury taking steps to rectify the issue and would encourage them.

HTH.

@SirChenjins sure, but it would be unusual to see a physio purely for diagnosis and no treatment, especially for a back problem.

Good managers recognise that going to the gym is a sign of an employee with a back injury taking steps to rectify the issue and would encourage them

How would any manager know that without knowing what the HCPs have recommended? I mean, I'm brilliant at most things, but I've no idea of my member of staff with a bad back is doing the right thing by going to the gym.

I did. But only because the physio said something was very wrong and sent me for an MRI and refused to treat me until I had one
She was right

I know - I said the GP would prescribe what was necessary (at that point) and refer onwards. You don't necessarily get a diagnosis - esp if it's a complex condition - from a 5/10 minute consultation with a GP.

@CaptainBeakyandhisband I am in the same boat as OP. Back problem and desperate to find an exercise I can do. I have osteoporosis, RA and OA and Pilates has kept me moving. However until I get an MRI to find out what's going on I am afraid of making it worse.

I don’t disagree with you my point is that if it’s ok to go to the physio for exercises, which I think everyone would agree on, then doing the exercises the physio prescribes at the gym is the same thing and therefore also ok.