To think of you’re signed off sick you should stay at home?

[Poppins17]

I’ve been unwell since the beginning of December.

I’m currently on my second dose of antibiotics and have now got steroids.

Dr informed me to rest as much as possible but there was no discussion about time off work.

I work in a senior position in Local Government, and have 15 staff to manage as well as assets.

I met a friend last night (which was a mistake as when I got home I realised I didn’t have the energy to do that), and she said how unwell I looked, and how I needed to go back to the drs to get signed off work.

She mentioned doing a few things whilst off sick to help with my well-being (spa days, going to the coast etc).

It made me wonder something that I assume when people are off sick they stay at home and don’t engage in any ‘nice’ activities.. is this an old fashioned view now?

Just to stay I work in the same village as where I live so likely people would see me out and about.

YABU - You should engage in nice activities for your own well being

YANBU - You should stay at home

That seems quite a rude response considering we are actually discussing flu and sinusitis and not a long term chronic health issue.

She sounds like she’s the sort who take the piss. Being ‘signed off’ suggests long term sick and if you’ve got an infection the cure is really rest. I can’t imagine doing a spa day as if you can cope with that surely you’re ok to go to work. Going out for a coffee or a walk etc for a short period is quite different. In your case what you need is rest. You can take up to a week off self certifying. The dr didn’t mention it because most people would just take a few days to rest and for antibiotics to kick in. There’s nothing that screams long term sick needed. If I was you I’d just rest in the evenings, if that’s not enough then take a couple of days off and get a good rest. You’ll probably feel much better for it

Which bit of "in this scenario" do you not understand?

So what if you have cancer and have been having surgery/chemo? You aren’t allowed to have any sort of hint of normal life other than having medical treatment?

Signed off means you are UNFIT FOR WORK. Not that you aren’t allowed to carry out any normal activities.

I don’t know about you but doing my job is a lot more demanding than sitting in a car, wandering along a beach and having lunch in a cafe. Being able to do the latter doesn’t in and of itself mean that someone is able to work.

We're not talking about pulmonary emobolisms though are we....😂

We're talking about someone with a cold/flu/sinusitus who is on antibiotics and should be at home resting, not running around at spa days, nights out and beach/lunch trips.

SIGH (I just knew this would get painful and silly at some point!)

I think it's just about using some common sense. I'm signed off this week as had covid and spent 10 days in bed feeling horrendous, I'm now finally testing negative and gradually recovering but still very fatigued and am spending a lot of time resting, but I went out this morning to the woods for a few minutes as I've basically not walked anywhere since 27th and need to try and build up a bit of strength again. Now back in bed.

@Hydrangeatea

Not here

It would be "You're still coming to work right?"

I had major surgery in 2019 & was advised by my specialist nurse not to go back before 12wks due to the nature of the surgery & my job.

I’ve never had a spa day or gone to the beach when off sick but the ignorance here is astounding.

I understand there’s an attitude of “oh I couldn’t get out of bed” but even in hospital after serious illnesses and surgeries, you’re up and sitting in a chair and walking. So, I do tend to think people are being dramatic and rather stupid. Some illnesses do need prolonged bed rest but most people just want to pretend they’re better than everyone else because they didn’t leave their sick bed for weeks on end.

If I’m off sick I even feel guilty if I have to go to Tesco for example let alone going anywhere else however I know a lot of people who do all sorted and post about it on social media while off on sick for example one woman I used to work with posted a series of ‘ladies night’ ‘well deserved girlie trip’ etc while on sick with the majority of other employees friends with her on Facebook. I thought this was basically rubbing everyone’s noses in it that she’s off on the piss when meant to be off sick. I mentioned it to my partner who said well nights out and away can be good for you if you’re stressed and off work due to stress 🤷🏻‍♀️

Although I think leaving the house when you're ill is fine - and a spa day when you've got a sinus infection seems very sensible to me - I do think posting about it on social media is quite stupid.

"not running around at spa days,"

Ah, I see the issue here. You've never been to a spa and don't know what one is. So I can assure you, not much if any "running around" happens at all. It's mostly laying around on loungers, sitting in saunas and having the odd gentle dip in a warm pool, along with lying on a massage table. So, mostly lying around. Perfect activities for ill people. People specifically go to them to "relax and unwind". Much less stressful than pretty well any job ever.

Good point. If you did run around you would probably slip on the wet floor and fall in a jacuzzi.

Actually it can be quite dangerous to your health to use heat facilities when you’ve got an infection/ temperature. Because of the temperature regulation, they’re definitely not recommended!

Totally depends what you're signed off with.

I was signed off with stress/anxiety a number of years ago. As it happens my idea of 'nice' activities does keep me at home. But whatever gets you better quickest is what you should do. And if there's is nothing you can do to speed it up then you don't have to martyr yourself, do whatever you want to do.

You're not playing hooky - although I appreciate it can feel a bit like that 😅

I know someone with a "bad back" who has spent his time on the golf course. Going back to work now though, the fact that it's just as six months elapses and he'd go down to half pay is a complete coincidence of course... He's not popular at work as you can imagine.

I was signed off for 8 weeks after spinal surgery
Was in the gym doing my physio, and walking as instructed but couldn't work as I wasn't allowed to sit for more than 30 mins. Was also wiped after physio and needed to sleep for a good few hours

Currently off work with covid, and I haven't left the house except to take the bins out

i was once signed off for 3 months for severe anxiety and depression following a breakdown that was a delayed reaction to the death of one parent, and the stress of having to support the other in the aftermath.

I spent half of it in my caravan on the coast, walking on the beach, sunbathing and wandering the local towns shops, taking the proper time for myself to grieve and process everything that happened, and the other slowly returning myself back to some kind of normality.

If the Dr signs you off as unfit to do your job, then usually its a valid reason. The paperwork doesn't come with the instructions you turn into a hermit for the duration.

I think it depends what you're sick with, in your case you should really be home resting.

If it were anxiety or similar then some fresh coastal air walks and a spa might do you good.

It depends what you're ill with. Some things will be helped by time off work as even days out can be easier than work and help with your mental health as well as physical

Depends on what you are off sick with, if you’re full of germs then yes you should probably be at home resting but if you’re off ‘sick’ with stress going out and doing things that’ll take your mind iff things and help to relax you are probably a good idea.