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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Injury at work, am I being precious?

25 replies

19lottie82 · 08/08/2024 18:32

I work as a cook, was scheduled to work all
of this week but at the end of my shift on Tuesday I burnt my hand quite badly and took myself to minor injuries.

I had to have the burnt skin removed and two fingers bandaged up. I was told not to keep them bandaged up until Friday and not get them wet, so therefore it would be impossible to work.

as soon as I got out of hospital I phoned work, I knew no one would be in but left a voicemail, and also sent an email including a photo of my Injury just in case they thought I was pulling a sickie.

I called first thing in the morning again, spoke to manager who just said “oh shit”
when I told her I wouldn’t be able to work for the rest of the week (she had just arrived so hadn’t picked up email or voicemail).

Not once did she express any sympathy about my hand, or say she hoped it healed soon.

I also asked in the email about recording the incident in the accident book, and she simply replied “you can do that when you return”.

I appreciate they’re a little under pressure being a staff member down but I’m also a little upset she didn’t once enquire about my burns or send me any well wishes.

Am I justified in feeling this way or AIBU? Its not really a big deal but for some reason its been playing on my mind.

for the record I’ve worked there six months and have never called in sick or even been late before.

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 08/08/2024 18:32

Deleted

OP posts:
NigelHarmansNewWife · 08/08/2024 18:35

19lottie82 · 08/08/2024 18:32

Deleted

Edited

Yes justified. Unfortunately the manager is probably thinking about the admin side of reporting your accident. It shouldn't wait until you come back though.

19lottie82 · 08/08/2024 18:37

NigelHarmansNewWife · 08/08/2024 18:35

Yes justified. Unfortunately the manager is probably thinking about the admin side of reporting your accident. It shouldn't wait until you come back though.

I think she was more
concerned about being a staff member down tbh. We’ve always got on well, I guess I was just a bit surprised she didn’t even enquire how I was…….

OP posts:
LuckysDadsHat · 08/08/2024 18:38

How long will you have off work in total with this? If 7 days or more then it is reportable to the HSE. Maybe your boss is trying to avoid this.

www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/reportable-incidents.htm

StormingNorman · 08/08/2024 18:39

I think your manager went into overdrive thinking about the logistics of you being off. Don’t take it personally.

Hope you feel better soon x

19lottie82 · 08/08/2024 18:46

LuckysDadsHat · 08/08/2024 18:38

How long will you have off work in total with this? If 7 days or more then it is reportable to the HSE. Maybe your boss is trying to avoid this.

www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/reportable-incidents.htm

The nurse said to take the bandages off on Friday, hopefully it won’t need redressed,
will dry out over the weekend and I can be back to work on Monday 🤞

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 08/08/2024 18:46

StormingNorman · 08/08/2024 18:39

I think your manager went into overdrive thinking about the logistics of you being off. Don’t take it personally.

Hope you feel better soon x

Thank you. Im not usually sensitive, so unsure why this is bothering me tbh!

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 08/08/2024 18:53

19lottie82 · 08/08/2024 18:46

Thank you. Im not usually sensitive, so unsure why this is bothering me tbh!

It was insensitive of them not to ask after you. Most people would be irked even if you can make sense of it logically.

User79853257976 · 08/08/2024 19:08

You know what a busy kitchen is like. She was just making plans in her head about how to get around it. A quick “hope you’re okay” would have been good but maybe that will come later.

Do you not give each other personal numbers? That might have given her more notice.

Delphiniumandlupins · 08/08/2024 19:09

19lottie82 · 08/08/2024 18:46

Thank you. Im not usually sensitive, so unsure why this is bothering me tbh!

I think the shock and pain of the injury will have affected you more than you realise. You're not being precious but probably more sensitive than usual. Your boss' "Oh shit" may have been for you, as well as the situation they were in of having to find cover at short notice.

Bahsukdndhe · 08/08/2024 20:57

Yeah you sound a bit precious, you're an adult not a 5 year old

Aquamarine1029 · 08/08/2024 21:01

I'm sorry you got hurt. I wouldn't expect too much in terms of sympathy or being looked after by employers. You're taking it personally when it really isn't.

raincloudsandholidays · 08/08/2024 21:05

Bahsukdndhe · 08/08/2024 20:57

Yeah you sound a bit precious, you're an adult not a 5 year old

No need for a comment like that, just being harsh for the sake of it

TheSmallAssassin · 08/08/2024 21:12

Wow, some cold people on here! I think your manager was pretty unprofessional - employers have a duty of care to their employees and absolutely should be asking after your welfare if you have been injured at work.

Chickendinner24 · 08/08/2024 21:13

I'm a manager and that response is bullshit. There was no concern for you at all as a person or an employee. You are not wrong to expect more. Its always a pita when staff are off, but this is no way to act, especially with a workplace injury.

Ponderingwindow · 08/08/2024 21:21

I wouldn’t expect much sympathy. Honestly I would just be happy to have not gotten told I need to come in anyway or criticized in some way for making their lives difficult.

Ive had some bad managers over the years .

Atethehalloweenchocs · 08/08/2024 21:22

Its pretty shit - but I guess if they are generally ok, it may just be that they were responding to pressure rather than thinking about you.

Bonbon21 · 08/08/2024 21:22

Write out a full report of what happened and the outcome at the hospital NOW... while it is fresh in your mind. Accidents/injuries like this are so often underplayed, it is really important they are recorded accurately.
Be clear if it was a simple accident or if it was caused by bad practice/habit/equipment failure etc.
Hope you feel better soon.. take the rest.. hospitality is full on!

marshlellow · 08/08/2024 21:24

Depends on the exact context of the "oh shit". I can imagine it being expressed in such a tone that indicted "OMG THAT SOUNDS SOOOOO PAINFUL" or a tone that sounds more like "oh what am I going to do about Fridays lunch service" etc

Bogginsthe3rd · 08/08/2024 21:26

I think part of it will be their immediate reaction knowing they are a "man" down ("oh shit"). After that however, yes they should have expressed sympathy and also perhaps some more concern about the health and safety in their kitchen.

JaninaDuszejko · 08/08/2024 21:27

I don't think you are particularly being precious, I would always express sympathy when a line report was poorly, let alone when they had an injury at work.

You should probably have report the accident in the accident book straight away, was there anyone with you when it happened? And it's a lost time accident so your employer should be tracking the frequency.

If it needs redressing tomorrow then ask for a sick note because you'll need that for work from Tuesday onwards.

Berlinlover · 08/08/2024 21:42

I think you’re being exceptionally precious. I have cancer and know my workplace couldn’t give a damn. People need to realise they are just a number and can be replaced in an instant.

Longdueachange · 09/08/2024 11:31

It isn't a race to the bottom people. You aren't being precious, you injured yourself at work and need it logging in the accident book - your manager should have done this as soon as possible after the accident. This was the least of their obligations. If they care about staff than asking how you are really wouldn't have hurt. Make sure you at least get paid for the time you can't work!

19lottie82 · 12/08/2024 22:39

Update. Got a nice email from the area manager who is a lovely bloke so that cheered me up a bit.

Bandages came off on Friday and the burns are drying out nicely (although) still sore. I was back at work today, but I am a relief cook for a chain, so was at different complex.

Im on a zero hour contract so unfortunately won’t get paid (and I wasn’t off long enough to claim SSP), but as per my OP it was my own fault so I can’t complain.

Thank you for everyone’s replies.

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 12/08/2024 23:06

marshlellow · 08/08/2024 21:24

Depends on the exact context of the "oh shit". I can imagine it being expressed in such a tone that indicted "OMG THAT SOUNDS SOOOOO PAINFUL" or a tone that sounds more like "oh what am I going to do about Fridays lunch service" etc

The latter 😂

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