Going On Holiday When Signed Off Sick

[Tickytocky]

AIBU to book a holiday when signed off sick from work ?

Huge backstory, but basically off sick with work related stress. Doctors note in place for 4 weeks. Desperately need a change of scene and some sunshine. Haven’t been off work for nearly 7 years. Haven’t had a holiday in 9 years not that that’s relevant (feels very relevant).

Would this be unreasonable of me ?

Not HR, however because of my profession I work closely with HR (Well SLT) and this would apply in our large organisation also.

I think you may need to check the company policy.

Going on holiday will absolutely improve your mental health and if it was me I’d be going.

But just double check how the land lies first so you’ve got a job to go back to

Same here. I was going to say this.. if you're off sick, your employer can call you in for a wellness check at any time. It'll be a bit hard to attend if you're out of the country.

I think it depends on the circumstances and the employer. A relative was being treated for a serious illness over several months and wanted to go on holiday at the end of the treatment - they were upfront and asked the employer if they could take the time off as unpaid leave. The employers response was don't be stupid you need to take this as part of your sick leave and insisted that it was paid sick leave (it was a holiday abroad.) I am not sure every employer would have acted in that way.

When I was off sick long term, I was asked in my back to work interview if I went on holiday- that's a standard question in my company.
I think being honest is definitely the way forward. Especially if you want to keep your job.

The ACAS link posted on page 1 of the thread covers it.

I did read about a man that was off sick once with stress and he went on holiday but he was posting about it online and his boss fired him.
Sm is a big let down and will tell on you one of my many reasons not to have any SM.

Dont tell anyone you're going on holiday and dont post it on SM.
hope you have a good relaxing time.

Going on holiday is fine if you are off with stress. It helps with recovery. I am currently off waiting for a hip replacement and can't walk so I think eyebrows would be raised if I went on holiday.

I work in the public sector.

It's written into the employment contract, as a condition of receiving company sick pay (full pay), you need to attend attendance reviews & occupational health appointments, and that if you want to leave the country while receiving company sick pay, you need permission from your manager.

I don't think it's a problem especially if it helps you to recuperate. However I had a colleague who was signed off for two months with stress and she liberally posted photos of her holiday excursions, jet-skiing, rock climbing and generally having a lovely time. No doubt that was all great for her mental health but for the colleagues who had to pick up all her work...the reception was rather frosty when she returned!

@Tickytocky given the nature of your absence a holiday and change of scene would clearly be beneficial to your recovery. That said as others have commented you must let your employer know and check that it is allowed under their absence policy and the position with regard to your annual leave. For example I work in a large public sector organisation and we would support a holiday to aid recovery however our policy states that permission must be obtained and any holiday is taken from the annual leave allowance unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Any breach of your absence policy such as going away without notifying your employer could affect your pay and would be classed as misconduct.

Just keep quiet. Obviously don’t post photos of sipping cocktails on social media.

fwiw if I was your manager in most cases I’d think it was fine, but I can see how some colleagues would raise eyebrows

I’d say it wasn’t fine if you were known for taking the piss with sick leave generally. Which there is no indication you are.

Who would want to be an employer in the UK…

It wouldn't be a problem at our place.
For example, our policy if someone has booked annual leave, and then they're off sick, they can claim their holidays back if they have a doctors note.

We know they're on holiday, so wouldn't be a reason for a disciplinary. People might talk, but it's really none of their business.

What is your manager like and are they supportive? If a member of my team was off sick with stress and spoke to me about going on holiday I would encourage them to go but would likely suggest that we keep it between ourselves to avoid any office chatter.

My focus is on getting the person back to work and feeling well so if a holiday is going to be helpful then I'm all for it.

Maybe you should have booked a holiday instead of going off sick?

I had a colleague who did this. She had bad arthritis and had a holiday booked for the Caribbean. Unfortunately she had a flare up and was off sick before she was due to go and signed off until after the holiday. Her doctors all advised her to go on the holiday as the sun and relaxation would help manage the flare. Work were also happy for her to do this as part of helping her recover. She was back at work a few weeks later. Her main issue was with her back and she was also awaiting a specialist chair as a reasonable adjustment - that was finally in place once she returned. We're public sector so any specialist equipment always takes months to secure!

(I know all of this because she was very open about it and told the team).

It will really depend on the employer and whether or not the holiday activities clash with the nature of your illness.

@FeedMeSantiago Ah I see, thanks.
Well he'd be going on his own in any case as I'm in education!

I have been in this situation twice before.

First time I asked my manager to pause the sick leave so I could use annual leave to take my pre booked holiday. Mainly because I was mindful of the effect on colleagues.

Having said that, I wouldn't judge a colleague in a similar position for not using annual leave.

Second time i had a pre booked holiday during a period of bereavement leave and didn't think twice about not using annual leave to go. I had barely seen my kids after looking after my sibling during their end of life care and I was desperate to reconnect with them. I most definitely wouldn't have been fit for work that week, but the change of scenery definitely helped me get back to a space where I could start planning going back to work again

That’s not what has happened here.

And this is why AIBU is terrible for advice.

for every correct post (top) there are about 10 incorrect posts (bottom). 😡

Image didn’t attach

I have dismissed people for doing this as it was expressly against the terms of the occupational sick pay policy.

I've done it, on the advice of my Dr. I was off with stress and depression for about 5 months. I had a pre-booked holiday, and was swithering about going. She TOLD me to go; that it would be good for me.
She was right. I went, and had a good time. I was with a friend, and I don't think I would have gone alone. I just kept it all off social media, as I knew how some people would have perceived it.
Enjoy your holiday. 😎

Not the same but years ago a colleague was off with stress from a marriage breakdown but she was out for 18 rounds of golf most days and she was off on full pay for about 6 months. No one judged her I saw it as part of her healing.