To think colleague is taking the absolute piss?

[ChristmasTreescars]

Had about 6 weeks off work with long covid, I’ve had to do so much extra work because of it. Now she’s posting all over social media that she’s gone away to Norfolk for a getaway.

Let me guess - public sector with unlimited sick leave?
YANBU but you will be told here that you are.

Normally I would very much be in the poorly co-worker’s camp, that being off sick doesn’t always preclude going away for a relaxing break, but…
coincidentally, I have a long-term acquaintance with a truly appalling sickness record, and has had for the 10 years I’ve known her.
Worked with her, which was how we ket) and she was off sick ridiculously often, all with colds, bugs, etc. Her absenteeism was epic. As soon as our HR mentioned starting capability proceedings, she left and found another job.
From mutual friends at that company (small, local industry) the same happened there after a few years of this sickness pattern, and she’s now moved on to a new place where the same pattern of illness seems to be happening again.
Illnesses all relatively low level but impacting work. Claims to get flu at least twice a year, that kind of thing.
Interestingly, in the run up to Christmas she mentioned being off work ill (again) in a group chat. But has been able to travel to Norfolk for a break. Surely a coincidence?

It’s people like you who make me sick with worry when I’m pushing a trolley around Tesco or going for a stroll before going home for a 4 hour nap.

what if I’m seen to be out of my bed? 😲

I don’t use SM, but isn’t it where people go to boast? Eg “having a lovely time in Norfolk” vs “nearly pissed ma keks again when I didn’t make it to the bog in time”.

If going to Norfolk doesn't make her sickness worse or last longer, than why does it matter?

It’s your employer taking the piss expecting you to do all of the extra work. Have you addressed it with them?

my dh went to wales when he had a broken wrist was he not allowed out of the house whislt signed off sick

Because outside of the world of MN some people are shock horror friends with colleagues.

Most people don't tend to bitch about their friends on Mumsnet. If she's a friend why not ask her?

You don't sound like a good friend.

Has she put that in the social media post too?

My mam managed to go on holiday while terminally ill.

Unfortunately for our family her cancer didn’t get the memo that this meant she was completely healthy and she died shortly after.

Im so glad my parents had the chance to have that last break together.

It’s upsetting to know so many people would have believed she was somehow faking it, should have worked until she actually dropped down dead, or should have spent her last months confined to the house or the hospital.

I tried to go back after two weeks when had covid… failed miserably and was off soon after for another month. No way could I have worked. Took two months to be capable of working.

could I have sat in car for a couple of hours and recuperated in another location? Sure, towards the end of that two months.

unlesd you have some reason to think she’s lying about fitness to work, she has done nothing wrong by this

Friends normally give each other the benefit of the doubt and don’t assume they are faking illness to get off work, though. Or post a thread about a public forum slagging them off.

You can go away when ill. Unless she is out partying all night, every night the two are not mutually exclusive. Maybe she is starting to feel better?

Agree with this. And it's so unrealistic when people say don't do work you aren't paid to cover etc ! How many small company's / charities ( in my case) etc have the money to just employ cover every time someone is off sick. My office of about ten has some serious pisstakers. One goes off sick every other week because she has asked to reduce hours and work are being slow to do this ( due to high work demand), one despite working 2 days a week manages to arrange every dentist, podiatrist, vets appointments, car MOT etc on the 2 days she works, one takes numerous days off to travel miles to look after sick relatives which I understand can't be helped but honestly no-one is going to be brought in to cover their work we just have to muddle through and the rest of us just have to take on additional work because we are the ones that regularly and reliably turn up. Much of the work is relating to vulnerable people who would suffer if no-one did the work so we just have to take on a bigger workload.

she is perfectly entitled to go somewhere while she is off sick. She isn't skiing or doing the Paris-Dakar Rally.

Your issue is with your bosses for loading all the extra work on you. That is what you should concentrate on. And if you're overworked and stressed? take yourself off to your GP.

Good for her. I hope the change of scenery helps her feel a bit better.

The outdated opinion that you have to be in bed 24/7 when you are ill, is ridiculous. You do what you need to do, to get better, if that's possible.

public sector with unlimited sick leave?

tell me you know nothing about the public sector without saying you know nothing about the public sector

Sorry but nobody is "rubbing people faces in it". A doctor, you know, one of those people who are qualified to comment on health issues (unlike, say, colleagues) has provided a fit note saying that an individual is not fit enough to work. It didn't say they aren't fit enough to do anything. If the employer believes the doctor is incorrect or lying, then that is for the employer to act upon. If someone's colleagues aren't mature enough to understand these things, perhaps they shouldn't be on social media? Because being on social media and being nasty and spiteful about sick colleagues is pretty low. And if you have a problem with workload, then you discuss that with your managers, like grown ups. Not take it out on people who are sick.

That's ridiculous. You can be off sick for so many different reasons. Doesn't mean you need to be housebound or bedbound.

You’re not friends though are you?

friends don’t bitch about each other to strangers online.

I had sepsis 2 years ago and needed 2 months to recover. I wish we had gone away for some of my recupperation. My OH could have worked remotely and the children could too. It would have been really beneficial to have a peaceful place to rest.

@Quveas I have been off with stress/depression. I was in no fit state to be at work, but as I wasn’t physically ill, I did go out , meet people, do stuff etc. But what I didn’t do is post the pictures and post #love time off. #living best life on social media, as the reality was my team was impacted by my time off as they had to cover my work. I think it’s inconsiderate. I can see why the OP found her colleagues post annoying, even though I would never begrudge someone living with long Covid a seaside break.

I went on holiday to France while signed off work. I was suicidal and adjusting to new antidepressants. It was cleared with my manager, occupational health and HR because I was worried my colleagues would think I was taking the piss. Thankfully they know me well enough to know that I needed to recover and some time away with my family might help.

Don't be silly @EddietheEagle the moral of this particular story is if you aren't sick (which they weren't) don't write cheques in Top Shop.

YANBU but MN has a weird thing about being allowed to do whatever you want when you are off sick.