Holiday photos on Facebook whilst off sick

[TeaAndBrie]

Really interested to hear opinions on this one.
Staff member off long term sick (fully paid as local gov) due to mental health issues, signed off by GP for 4 months so far.
staff member is friends with manager on Facebook.
staff member has been uploading photos of holiday abroad on Facebook.
i would not expect someone who is on LTS for mental health reasons to never leave the house etc
Holiday photos seem a bit much though - especially when manager and other colleagues who can see these pics are having to pick up all of the work whilst he is away.
YABU - let them have their holiday, it’s good for them!
YANBU - let them have the holiday but would be better to have have pics on SM

Wow what for saying health is more important then a job. I will always stand by that

You are allowed to go on holiday and do things that are positive for your mental health if signed off for mental health issues.

Yrah I get it’s annoying and super sloppy to post on social media but your team member isn’t doing anything wrong.

Soeak to HR and they will tell you the same. However you are also allowed to contact them as agreed during their absence (once a week for example) and I would speak to HR about tax implications abiut being on holiday and receiving sick pay. Also check with them on thr correct policy for taking holiday while on sick leave - more around not booking and following that procedure.

Take screen grabs for proof and speak to HR.

It’s not usually within the ability of someone under severe stress, anxiety and depression to just ‘leave their job’ or sometimes even to recognise the damage it is doing. Glad you got out.

Yes just because they are on holiday doesn’t mean they are doing the bits they find more stressful, they may well have a partner or family to help.
Sorry your finding it upsetting I don’t blame you

No problem with it, but I don’t think I’d be posting pictures online.
But then I find the constant showing off and needing to document everything on SM a bit strange.

Because I’m having specialist treatment and I hope to be well enough to work again. The treatment however can take years.

Because my income protection is paying more money than I’d get in benefits or from medical retirement. Being medically retired also restricts my ability to work in a new job in the future.

My income protection is time limited, so it makes sense to utilise it while it’s still being paid.

Yep, I go on holiday and my mum handles all of it. I literally just have to pack a bag and follow her.
I still get anxious as it is out my comfort zone, but after the first half day or so, I can feel relaxed and enjoy the change of scenery.

People are assuming that the person with MH issues is doing all the holiday organising themselves, but they might well not be.

Holiday - fine and good
posts on social media - not fine and good

I managed my children's complex health conditions, did arts and crafts with them, took them to their hobbies, took them away to stay with family took, them on day trips.

And did my job.

I am not suggesting that is because I am better than anyone who couldnt do those things, but the way I coped was to just keep going. If anything it was my downfall because I really struggled to get help and I think I would have kept going and kept smiling and managing until I died , if I hadn't managed to confide in a friend who managed to get me the help I needed

It's clear some people find travel very stressful, but I am a "pack in ten minutes" person and genuinely don't get all the fuss. I feel European more than anything else so am quite happy anywhere in Europe, it feels like "home" as much as anywhere in England does. Insurance - just have a rolling annual insurance. Bookings - hardly a big faff compared to managing multiple hospital appointments for the children and myself. Some people clearly find this stuff hard and others don't.

Im just jealous that all these people with mental illness when their in an episode and at their lowest can go on holidays and nights out and I can't even leave the house or dress myself

You don't have to inform work. Your sick note is enough you're not fit for work all they need to know. I have been off for 18 months. I definitely haven't had to inform work if I've gone on holiday

Just going can be overwhelming for many who struggle to pop to Tesco. They don't have to be chief organiser.

Same. Autism and depression means I don’t go anywhere at the best of times, let alone holidays with how much I need my familiar routine.

I think it’s perfectly fine. Probably will help them greatly. Everyone has the right to be poorly in whatever way, and then do what they deem necessary to recover.

No, it's just a fact. It's not particularly remarkable? Why can't I counter the idea that everyone finds foreign travel stressful?

And it doesn't have to be a competition either. We are all different.

Or maybe there mental health issue is different to yours and it’s not about being ‘low’ in the same way you experience. Maybe it’s about being ‘high’ or not being able to sit still for 5mins- also mental health issues potentially

It shows how differently we all respond.

I went out on nights out and to parties while recovering from a vicious assault and bereavement at university. Keeping busy distracted me.

I wouldn’t be able to do it on my own but looked after definitely. Wish I could speak 3 languages 😍

Yes looked after I might be able to do it. Never on my own.

❤️❤️ you're not alone im exactly the same this thread seems crazy to me all the things people manage to do when so unwell. I can't do this stuff even when im well.

I wish I was that intrepid but sadly not but im
lucky to have support, I know not everyone does.

'Maybe it’s about being ‘high’ or not being able to sit still for 5mins- also mental health issues potentially'

You're suggesting it would be a good idea to take someone having a high/manic episode to a foreign country?!

I'm crap at lots of other stuff if it helps

I can't sing. Or draw. I have zero hand eye coordination...