AIBU that colleague is taking the p*** re sick leave?

[bluebellsandcustard]

Colleague broke his leg. No complications, but operated and played.

But nine weeks he's still off sick, with no word of coming back anytime soon.

We work in an office, worked remotely all through covid, there's no need for him to drive.

I just can't believe he's genuinely unable to work at a computer for at least part of the day.

It's putting the rest of the team under immense strain.

It's putting the rest of the team under immense strain.

^ it isn't. The problem is the lack of cover. Couldn't management have hired a temp or asked someone part time to cover for a few weeks?

😀

I broke my leg and couldn't negotiate steps or carry anything. I couldn't go to work.

I had a broken bone and I was operated on and expected to come in to the office after 2 weeks phased return which I did. I kept asking to wfh a couple of days a week after 8 weeks due to muscle atrophy, severe leg pain, and hip pain. It transpired a year later I had a terrible reaction to the metal plates they had inserted and I had slipped a disc in my spine when I fell. You aren't medically trained and it isn't your body so butt out!

I wish I’d taken the time I was offered when I broke my arm. You might think just a broken arm and tbh I did too. I WFH for the first two weeks but despite my boss telling me to just do what I can and get through my emails which was fine with intermittent napping it did not stop colleagues putting through external calls when I couldn’t use the phone and make notes with one arm, expect things done immediately rather than the fact I was napping on and off and catching up in the evening. My boss was supportive of me just doing what I could but him not being there 24/7 meant it was more hassle than it was worth and left me exhausted for most of the first few weeks rather than resting and recovering. Unfortunately sometimes trying to help is taken advantage of so I can see why he might be worried it will be a slippery slope into being asked to do things he’s not yet able to.

It does depend on how the leg is broken and what part/s. I broke my leg before, was the lower half and it wasn't a big break, healed fairly quickly although I still get pain now and again. I was working while it was broken.
But I've seen other people with almost shattered legs. You couldn't work with that, the pain is a lot to deal with.

I am against lazy workers, but it does sound like he has a genuine reason. You'll probably get the details when he is back, you'll realise then why he wasn't in.

My ex brother-in-law had a sports related leg injury. I can honestly say that his life has never been the same since, and it's one endless round of pain management. It has been years!
I don't blame you for feeling aggrieved OP, and under normal circumstances I'd agree with you entirely. But there could be more to this than you think.

Oooh only a ‘broken leg’ eh. There are so many variations of ‘only’ a broken leg and differing recovery due to blood supply, level of displacement or not etc etc. If you’re struggling it’s something to raise with your manager as pp said not bitch about him being off.

Recovery from broken bones isn’t always linear, things change in rehab, bones don’t always unite or other issues arise due to comorbidities. In a nutshell best keeping out of it! 👃

I feel in all probability you’re probably right, he’s taking the piss. BUT my father broke his leg in a motorbike accident at 18, was in hospital for months in traction, had to have bone and skin grafts, they nearly had to amputate… so it can be very serious. But I understand feeling resentful but ultimately it’s up to your manager to understand his situation and determine the most appropriate return to work plan. You should definitely raise it with him if you and the team are struggling so at least he’s reminded though.

Fair play for your response OP. I would say to your manager the workload is unmanageable but don't say because he's off just focus on you.

My DP has broken his hip can barely walk gets exhausted after doing anything only gets statutory sick pay (which I don’t know how anyone is expected to live off of !) and faces possibility of his leg not healing and having to get a hip replacement . I can’t stand judgemental people like you people work to live health is more important than anything .

@notalwaysalondoner in all probability based on what?

@Sweetlikechocolate6 that’s a crappy bone to break, what did he get put in to fix it? Hope he heals up well.

@Ohpaella he got pins in but they have moved hence he might need to get a full replacement . I hope so too it’s been very hard for him

OP I can see you've taken the response onboard so won't repeat what other posters have said about the actual injury, but just to add another angle - if the organisation is large enough to have a HR dept, or a manager clued up on such things, they won't usually let someone with a serious injury WFH as a compromise even if the employee wanted to, they have to be fit for work. If the company let someone WFH with a broken leg before they've fully recovered and the recovery goes wrong, or there is a problem with their work etc, the company could be liable. Eg if the employee felt pressure to keep up, didn't take enough movement breaks and developed complications as a result. Or if the employee made a costly mistake and said that they felt their medication had impacted their judgement.

(I had a colleague who had a cast for a while and felt otherwise fit for work but HR wouldn't let them for the above reasons - they then had to have a return to work OT assessment before they could restart)

All the best and positivity to you and the team.

I broke my arm and was off sick for 6 months before they gave me surgery, after that I was back within 4 weeks. You have no idea

YABU. The strain on your team is your managers issue to deal with, not his.

Sorry I saw you apologised for being very unreasonable good on you!

my dh was off with a broken wrist for ten weeks-he wanted to go back but hr wouldnt aprrove it

I broke my tibia and fibula in February this year. It was pinned and plated. I'm still off work.

You aren’t being unreasonable.

Why are you all being made to go to the office when you can work from home.

I too would question which he’s not back at work.

however as they can work at home and aren’t, must be bad. Doctors just don’t sign everyone of for a long time I guess.

I would bring it up with your boss about workload

I'm with you, OP. He sounds like a lazy chancer. Even if - big if - he's had a complication, I'll bet my mortgage he can still sit on a chair and type.

Can I know why?