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 ?

I think it depends what you do.

if you are signed off with stress then I think it’s fine to go somewhere to relax and unwind but I would find a trip to Disney land or with a lot of traveling to stressful places wrong.

I don't see a issue with it to be honest I would go

No they can’t ..l.they can ask if you would like to take annual leave….they can’t make you

Wtf has Disney got to do with work related stress?

Of course not, your stressed or grieving then take a holiday, it makes sense.

As a manager I wouldn’t expect to see a pattern of it though, whereby sick is used to subsidise annual leave.

💐

I love my job now. I loved teaching (the actual teaching part), and my colleagues, but I’m glad to be out of the rest of it. Good luck in your Masters 😊

I was off sick with glandular fever years ago. My immune system took a hit and I had infected eczema, thrush and impetigo simultaneously. The eczema wouldn’t clear up. I got signed off for another two weeks and the doctor told me to go on holiday, sit on a beach and do nothing for two weeks. The eczema cleared up within days and I was fine to return to work afterwards.

I could be completely wrong and apologies if so but would think that if you are suffering from burn out then it’s not the best idea for recovery to go somewhere that is super crowded.

Eek, I wouldn't be posting my holiday snaps on Facebook, put it that way.

You never had work related stress I take it🙄

They CAN. Read the thread.

I would but don’t post the pics on social media (if you are the type to do that!)

Depends on your company policy. Mine states that I can't be paid company sick pay whilst out of the country. . You might also have some issues with your travel insurance as will need to declare it

Personally I think if you're off with a mental health disorder & the holiday will help your recovery then you are doing nothing wrong.

No I haven’t but I have seen friends going through burnout and they have struggled with crowded places/lots of noise etc. Clearly from your response that is not the case for everyone so I am sorry for implying that.

the point I was trying to make is that a holiday is fine but I think it needs to be reasonable based on what you are off for (and that will be different for everyone)

Absolute piss take, well enough to go on hols but can't be arsed to go to work?

That. Is. Crazy.

People will talk 100%, but there’s no rule to say you can’t, and it will do you good.

Surely it depends on the individual circumstances. You could be too ill to work but capable of relaxing in a garden of a holiday house and doing some gentle walks. I imagine that you could do that in gaps between cancer treatment for example when working would not be possible or practical.

I am a manager in the civil service and in the last 12 months have had 2 members of my team off sick for 6-8 weeks. Both went on a pre-booked holiday during the time they were off and could claim back their annual leave as well. I not only was fine with it, I strongly encouraged it. If they hadn't pre-booked a holiday I would still have supported them to take time away rom the day to day grind to be with their families and relax.

Haven't rtwt but guessing you're 'public sector'? If so carry on, you do you and wrangle every penny you can from the public purse, you're well supported and safe to eke what you can.

If you work for a private company be a bit more careful is all I can suggest.

One day this whole pack of cards will come tumbling down.

Companies can write all sorts of shite into a policy. And do.

I'd be surprised if a tribunal agreed.

Seems like it.

i do think if you’re off long term and genuinely unwell for whatever reason then you should still be allowed a life.

fair enough though if you’re off with a bad back and you’re spotted bungee jumping then aye I’d raise an eyebrow and think you’re ripping the arse out it but off with stress and needing a break to relax? go for it.

Haven’t been off work for nearly 7 years - means off sick in that time.

Haven’t had a holiday in 9 years - line manager won’t authorise my leave requests until a couple of weeks before it’s due to start (and after several ‘nudges’, and ultimately an urgent chain of emails). This leaves no time to book dogs in kennels, requests agreed at kids schools, plus actual holiday booked.

I am barely on SM and it’s all private so I wouldn’t post anyway.

No one covers my job (specialised), so colleagues don’t take on any work. Consultants would be brought in at cost.

Im thinking of no longer having a mobile phone so no one can get hold of me, least of all my LM !

It’s about not being available for sickness monitoring, occ health appts and calls with your manager. Nothing to do with having a life.

it’s generally those places with very generous sickness allowances (6 months full pay) that do it. For pretty obvious reasons.

never seen a tribunal raised about it. ACAS are clear that it can be holiday pay rather than sick pay.

Don't be daft.

For most people, going on holiday is significantly easier and less stressful than working. Kinda the point, really.

Pretty sure if I was sick I could sit on a beach. Not sure about complex economics though.