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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Go abroad when on sick leave?

43 replies

Wudgy · 14/09/2022 22:01

Have been off work for last 3 weeks due to an injury. First week was off annual
leave booked ( injury occurred first day off work) then I got a fit cert from the Gp for 2 weeks- she was going to do 4 weeks initially but I said 2 hoping to have quick improvement. I’m awaiting a procedure to manage pain and there is no currently timeframe- waiting list could be 2 months/10 months/ 2 years who knows.
My work involves a lot of physical movement and at the minute I’m struggling to get through the day with myself and dc that I can’t imagine working in this level of pain/ on so many painkillers .
Here’s my aibu.. my Partner and I are married 15 years this week, havnt been away anywhere in years child free so months ago booked a long weekend sat- mon abroad as had a very rare offer of babysitters. My fit certain is due to run out the day before we are due to leave so would be a case of working 1 day then off for long weekend and back to work. I think I could manage fine pain wise on holiday with the pain relief I have, in fact it might be the only time I’d have to rest since this happened. However I can’t imagine going straight into physical work following this- if I didn’t have this weekend away I would 100% request another 2 week fit cert. However I am desperate to go away, no cancellation/ postponement available etc and unlikely to get the babysitter again. My dh thinks I should request the additional sick leave AND still go on holiday however I feel like that’s a no no? Even though they are very different activities and not much energy/ strength needed for laying about in the sun compared to a days manual
work. My work know about this trip as planned months ago so I feel I would get major attitude/ judgement if they know I go. Nothing in the annual leave policy re. Going away etc. Just don’t know what to to. Gp said I’m ok for travel as long as I feel I could manage pain etc.
What do you think? Have the option to cancel via insurance if need be and hope it pays out.

Aibu unreasonable to go abroad if off on sick leave?

OP posts:
Whadda · 14/09/2022 22:03

The point of sick leave is to recuperate and take medical advice so that you can get back to work.

What you’re proposing is taking the absolute piss.

whereareyounoww · 14/09/2022 22:05

You're surely cannot seriously be considering going and then asking for another 2 weeks sick leave? That's outrageous

jelly79 · 14/09/2022 22:05

Are you well enough to go away but not well enough to work then why wouldn't you?

Travis1 · 14/09/2022 22:05

I’d go. There’s a world of difference between a few days r&r and working a physical job. There is no law that says you need to confine yourswld
to your bedroom when you’re sick

XenoBitch · 14/09/2022 22:06

You are on sick leave, not house arrest. If your GP thinks the holiday will do you good and you think you can manage the pain, the go and enjoy your holiday.

whereareyounoww · 14/09/2022 22:07

What job do you do? Do they not have something else you could be doing that's not as strenuous. If you're well enough to mince around on holiday then you're well enough to mince around in an office or at reception or something while you're "recovering"

Unanananana · 14/09/2022 22:11

If there is nothing in works policies to stop you then go.

But you will look like a muppet. Keep social media posting to zero and try not to injure yourself further.

Going on holiday and then taking more sick leave is just a massive piss take to be honest. Regardless of whether or not its 'allowed'.

Flyonthewall01 · 14/09/2022 22:11

If it was a mental health thing you were off with I’d fully support you going on holiday but not if it’s a physical thing you are off with. If you do go on it although you technically can get another FIT note you will be looked at negatively by your employer

QuizzlyBears · 14/09/2022 22:13

whereareyounoww · 14/09/2022 22:07

What job do you do? Do they not have something else you could be doing that's not as strenuous. If you're well enough to mince around on holiday then you're well enough to mince around in an office or at reception or something while you're "recovering"

This in spades. If you were my employee and you were well enough to go on holiday whilst off ‘sick’ then I’d be making a swift referral to occupational health to look at what duties are suitable for you as you’re obviously able to work in some capacity. I’d also be really pissed off, but perhaps that’s just me.

ReeseWitherfork · 14/09/2022 22:14

I think you should go but also look for another job. The one you’re doing doesn’t sound suitable? (Although it’s hard to feel confident giving that advice without knowing what the job is and what the injury is.)

KermitlovesKeyLimePie · 14/09/2022 22:15

How would work know that you went on holiday though?

XenoBitch · 14/09/2022 22:15

whereareyounoww · 14/09/2022 22:07

What job do you do? Do they not have something else you could be doing that's not as strenuous. If you're well enough to mince around on holiday then you're well enough to mince around in an office or at reception or something while you're "recovering"

OP has a physical job. I doubt she can just rock up to reception and mince about.
Probably whole different departments looking after the staff there.

Brandnewwoman · 14/09/2022 22:20

I think you should go .Be good to yourself !
When you feel better you can go back to work well rested and fitter .

whereareyounoww · 14/09/2022 22:21

@XenoBitch Oh yes she absolutely can. I don't know many companies who don't have some sort of office / computer based work that can be done and I'm sure they'd rather she made herself useful there, than made herself wholly useless at home on the (or on a sunbed abroad as the case may be....)

whereareyounoww · 14/09/2022 22:21

*on the sofa!

SingingWaffleDoggy · 14/09/2022 22:21

It’s tricky but I would say it depends on the nature of your injury. I wouldn’t be impressed if your back pain prevented you from sitting at your desk despite reasonable adjustments to your role if you then carried your luggage aboard a flight to bump down abroad for example. If you have had a fractured wrist but you wish to stroll along the Seine I’d wish you a lovely time.
I’d expect an occupational health appointment to be waiting in your letterbox upon return either way!

Original poster
Wudgy · 14/09/2022 22:23

Yes echoing my own thoughts really, my partner is going to be disappointed but at the end of the day it would be a push for me to go physically and im not going to enjoy it as much so will look into cancellation. Such unfortunate timing for injury to occur. Interesting that some say if was for mental health it would be ok, physical injuries need rest and recuperation too - Shame i’m not getting either here at the min. Thanks for all feedback!

@whereareyounoww Yes may have to consider some adjustments to role when I get back to work . I work in a construction role in various projects so very hands on work.

OP posts:
SingingWaffleDoggy · 14/09/2022 22:23

And I say that as someone who encouraged their friend to go on a long haul holiday when on long term sick leave for stress related physical health problems

XenoBitch · 14/09/2022 22:23

whereareyounoww · 14/09/2022 22:21

@XenoBitch Oh yes she absolutely can. I don't know many companies who don't have some sort of office / computer based work that can be done and I'm sure they'd rather she made herself useful there, than made herself wholly useless at home on the (or on a sunbed abroad as the case may be....)

OP could be a cleaner. You can't do that on a PC.

whereareyounoww · 14/09/2022 22:27

@XenoBitch You're one of those people who doesn't like to be wrong aren't you? If he wasn't snoring next to me I'd think you were my DH

XenoBitch · 14/09/2022 22:29

whereareyounoww · 14/09/2022 22:27

@XenoBitch You're one of those people who doesn't like to be wrong aren't you? If he wasn't snoring next to me I'd think you were my DH

Not really. I am happy to be corrected. In the real world, there are people in physical jobs who can't just sit in front a PC as an alternative.

There really was no need for you to get personal.

Augend23 · 14/09/2022 22:30

I think if you could go (maybe use assistance at the airport) and ask about desk duties for once you're back? That would seem doable to me.

youtwoandme · 14/09/2022 22:33

Personally I think you should go. You said so yourself this doesn't come around very often (childcare etc).
Go make memories with your husband, you're suffering enough by the sounds of it.
Being home with the children (and husband) is a lot of work! You'll definitely relax more and be able to do less on your holiday, it's only a few days. Get the fit note and take the break. You'll deeply regret it if you don't.

Original poster
Wudgy · 14/09/2022 22:33

@ReeseWitherfork yes I think sadly you are right my job may not be suitable going forward, it’s a shoulder / neck injury and I need to be able to work at heights with arms in air which at the minute would not be possible in anyway. Not sure what my alternative adjustments could be or if there would be other roles I could do in short term.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wudgy · 14/09/2022 22:41

@youtwoandme yes however I am a people pleaser and would hate anyone to think poorly of me so in all likelihood I would probably spend the time worrying about what people would think.
Will have to contact about adjustments for going back whenever that is- being on desk duty isn’t really very possible when you have a “ trade” job as such . Was my first worry when the injury occurred.

OP posts: