Go abroad when on sick leave?

[Wudgy]

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?

I'd absolutely go for it. Why not?

If you are not fit enough to work a physical job get another fit/ sick note.
You can still go away for your weekend away if you can manage it and are unlikely to be doing anything physically strenuous and, unlike work, can rest when needed.
I wouldn't post it all over fb though! But if you are signed off work you don't have to be housebound there are valid reasons why you can't work but can go out.

@JamSandle just the fear of people thinking I’m taking the piss , unreasonable etc.
To be completely honest I wish the trip wasn’t planned at all and if was a case of swapping dates etc I absolutely would but it’s a case of go/ not go claim insurance. My husband will be sorely disappointed but if I don’t think I’m fit to go to work next Tuesday then I don’t think it’s sensible to go away.
im not on social media etc so no one would necessarily know if I went other than asking me outright - which they might was knew this trip was planned a long time ago.

overthinking it All as usual, Wish I had a bit more of an f” it attitude at times! What I don’t what to Happen Is that I go to work Friday first off after leave, get through the today. Go on weekend and then a day or two of work next week realise I’m not fit for it and having to go off again- this would be a second case of sickleave. I’ve never had a sick period off previously to this ( in any job ever !) so I wouldn’t want two periods so close together as disciplinary procedures / OH start at the stat of the third period off.

Life is too short OP.

Go.

Could you cancel on insurance and book a weekend only trip to somewhere closer and clearly recovery focused like a spa break? I don't think anyone would judge you for requesting easier duties when you get back to work and going for a short break to help you recover in the meantime.

And apologies for repeating myself but how would work even know you had gone away?

I've had some wine... do what you want , when you want , if you want. Who actually really cares?

Reality = if someone finds you out , they'll grass on you.

@KermitlovesKeyLimePie just by asking me directly either when i submit my fit line or my return to work- I can imagine it now- ah dear and you had the trip lined up etc such a shame you can’t go… I think the assumption will be I wouldn’t be going if I’m still off on sick leave. Prior to this happening I’d defo be thinking ppl were taking the piss of off and go away but now I realise it’s not always black and white!

@Isonthecase this is a great idea thank you, will see what would be available at short notice!

OP I'm not sure if you're aware, but you can ask for a 'may be fit' for work note from your GP instead of 'not fit'. www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-fit-note-a-guide-for-patients-and-employees/the-fit-note-guidance-for-patients-and-employees

This can specify your injury and what you can/can't do, and suggest possible adjustments. If these adjustments can't be made in your role, it effectively turns into a 'not fit for work' note. That puts the onus on your employer and can open up a discussion with them about how to move forwards. If you get that for your next note, perhaps that might assuage any guilt you have about being 'off sick' and going away?

@Wudgy theres another option, ask your gp to sign you “maybe fit for work” and set out what temporary adjustments you need e.g. less physical work. This is actually correct and what you need irrespective of your holiday.

Go on the holiday, as you are flying may I suggest you pre-book assistance via your airline. It really makes a difference if you are struggling physically.

Either:

• go back to work from sick leave and go on the holiday, or
• go on more sick leave but don’t go on the holiday

To go off sick again and go on the holiday is royally taking the piss. If you’re too sick to go to work you shouldn’t be going on holiday.

It really depends on the job and the injury
Post spinal surgery I could walk and was told to. But I wasn't allowed to sit for more than 30 mins at a time
So someone might have seen me walking around town, getting a coffee etc and I could have gone on holiday
But they wouldn't have seen that was all I did for the day and I was still needing to sleep in the afternoon etc etc

Screw work
I’d go on holiday.

Yes you are taking the piss and will alienate your colleagues if they find out and I don't blame them especially if your absence will place them under more stress and pressure while you swan off on a jolly.

I've just spent the past 6 weeks covering someone's sick leave as well as doing my own job. I'm shattered. I'd be seriously pissed off if I found out she'd been "making memories" on holiday with her husband.

Work aside, how would you cope with a very delayed flight, sat on a hard airport chair or in a ow moving passport queue for hours?

Would your travel insurance cover you as an existing condition if it got worse?

If you can't answer yes to the above work is irrelevant.

I think if you had something like a broken arm where there's a clear recovery time it would be fairly easy to justify still going. If it is a back problem where you may need prolonged time off or be in and out then pissing off your employer or colleagues might be a mistake as going will give an impression of managing fine even if you are not

I couldn’t think of anything worse than sitting in a plane seat and at an airport in pain with a neck and shoulder injury. Cancel and rearrange when you’re properly recovered. Travelling could set back your recovery.

I think if you're well enough to go, then go. If you're not well enough to go back to work, then don't go back to work.

These nasty people saying they'd be pissed off if it was their staff/colleagues are just awful. There's a difference between a weekend break and working 7+ hours a day in a physical job, whilst you might be well enough to sit on the plane for a few hours it's possible to not be well enough for a full on construction job. The world isn't black and white in that well if you're well enough to do -insert activity- you're well enough to work, it's just not true.