Is it ok to log on my email when I'm off sick?

[CarrotCrusader]

I'm off sick and due back next week. The day when something is due to be submitted externally. I would've needed time to work on this and haven't got anything together at all for it. Do you think it's ok to log on to my emails and email the external contact to request an extension?

Depends on your employer culture. Basically I think most would not frown on a quick email like that.

I try to avoid it if I'm ever off sick as really your line manager should be dealing with anything like that. Totally depends where you work though.

It's your employer's responsibility to deal with any necessary returns. You're not well enough to work - and if they're already dealing with it, an email requesting an extension would be unwelcome.

Can you contact your line manager? I have someone signed off sick and have said that they shouldn't be looking at emails - they are off sick. Their out of office is on and being directed to me. So no, I don't think you should. That's what managers are for and presumably yours is aware?

Where I work they'd be really annoyed with me if I emailed a client. The assumption will be that if I am sick I am not working. If there is a deadline somebody would have already picked up the work or requested the extension and my email would just complicate things.

No you shouldn’t be looking at emails…your line manager is responsible for your work load whilst you are off sick

Thanks. No one is going to pick up on the deadline at all.

Probably depends on your level as well as culture. As you say nobody is going to pick up on the deadline then I would send the email. If I’m off sick I would still need to reorganise deadlines/ my diary as nobody else would automatically be able to do that.

What will happen if the deadline is missed?

I wouldn't email, just deal with it when I was back. If it was really bothering me, I would tell my line manager about the pending deadline and let them sort it out.

So either you let your manager know and THEY contact the external person - you shouldn't be doing this while unwell. Or the deadline slips... is it life or death?

If I miss the deadline, it means the external contact will not be able to complete the work they have set aside time for.

It's not life or death but will be bothering me a great deal while I'm off.

If it's really stopping you from recuperating then let your boss know and let them handle it. But don't email the external contact - that actually comes across as unprofessional if you are off as it looks as if your company aren't allowing you proper time to recover. Plus if they email you back they will just get your out of office anyway (presumably) which is annoying from their POV if they get your message then respond immediately.

I agree with posters suggesting to contact your line manager, you shouldn’t be working whilst off sick. I’m guessing you would also wait for a reply - what happens if they say no? Definitely escalate up & let them sort it.

I hope you feel better soon

Thanks everyone. I won't log on.

Definitely don't do this! Speak to your employer first, they may have already sorted it or, if they haven't, they may want to.

As for whether you log on or not, it depends what you mean by sick. If you're too sick to work, don't work. If you're off because it's catching but you feel ok, log on, (particularly if you're being paid - I wouldn't if you're not).

I’m routinely expected to not only check emails but manage this sort of thing when off sick. It’s expected that if you are unwell you are letting other people down if you don’t manage the rescheduling etc. It’s shit but its the culture.

This is partly why I don’t go off sick unless I am at death’s door. It’s not worth the grief and the guilt.

Green with envy at the people whose line managers do this for them.

In which case I’d be emailing my boss and letting them know.

I wanted to make sure some extra things were submitted to the external contact, which I know my line manager won't do if they contact them or delegate the work to me. I made a decision when I was ill to go ahead with this work, it's very costly and when I was poorly I didn't think properly about what should be submitted. Now I'm feeling more better and clear minded, due to the cost, I want to alter what's submitted to make sure it's value for money. I know others it's delegated to won't do that and there's a possibility the work will be rushed in.

Email your boss in that case - but make it clear that you're not working after sending the email, it is just on your mind and will prevent you from resting if you didn't share this information. Then leave them to it.

This is perfect advice.

I'd be expected to do this, either myself or by contacting my manager and asking them to do it. My manger is very busy so I think she would prefer I did it.