AIBU to take the full six weeks signed off after surgery?

[Phoneshop]

I’ve just had a surgery on my kidney and bladder. Before this I’ve been ill for about 5 months, on and off. The consultant that did the operation has given me a fit note for 6 weeks. When I gave it to HR they did start to ask a few questions about why I need so much time off as it now counts as long term sick leave.

Would you still take the time off? I feel guilty now. I’m 1 week in to my recovery and have a lot of pain especially as I currently have a catheter and a ureteric stent. They’re both very uncomfortable and impact my sleep.

Can this cause me to lose my job?

Your doctor is a better judge on how long you need to recover than HR. Retired senior. HR manager.

A catheter and a stent and pain and you are asking if you should take the 6 weeks? Are you serious? Of course you should!

OP, please try not to worry about this, I know it's hard when an employer is making noises about your having too much time off sick, but your health is far more important than ANY job! However, it might be worth Googling and making yourself aware of the circumstances under which they could get rid of you, so that you're fully prepared and know what steps they have to take beforehand, and where to turn if it should happen.

I wish you a good and speedy recovery, BUT not so that you can go back to work, simply so that you feel better soon. Take care.

I had something similar last year but was feeling okay after 4 weeks I was bored and could work from home

I think you have concerns about how this time off will be taken at work and only you know if they have reason. BUT they need to ask you questions to understand the nature of your condition, the surgery and therefore the implications for them so don't be worried by the questions. That’s it. It’s not an interrogation, it’s just HR ticking boxes. You have been there 8yrs, they will know what you are like as an employee.

A catheter at home is not a minor thing, it affects mobility, sleep, infection risk, and comfort. Add abdominal or renal surgery on top and six weeks is actually on the conservative side. What they can’t do is override a fit note or pressure you to return early. A GP’s note is the legal evidence of unfitness for work and honestly, managing a catheter at home while recovering from kidney/bladder surgery is not compatible with most jobs, even desk‑based ones. Painkillers alone can make someone unsafe to work.

So the reasonable position is: You’ve had major surgery, you’re recovering with a catheter, and your GP has signed you off. Your employer is simply gathering information, not challenging your absence.

If anything, you need to rest properly so you don’t end up back in hospital. And that includes stressing about what work thinks. If you think it will help you to get the fullness of your situation across to work, email HR or your line manager telling them the surgery you have, that you still have a catheter and stent in and that you're on strong painkillers hence the fit note for 6 weeks. Tell them that as soon as you have your next check up, you will update them but expect to be off for the full 6 weeks. And stick to it.

I have recently had some similar surgery myself and I wouldn't be surprised if you are off longer but you just need to concentrate on you and as you are no good to anyone is you are dead! Big hugs.

Take the time you need to properly rest and recover. Much better than to rush back too soon and be off again. It's in your employers interest that you are recovered and not doing too much too soon and off again. Take care!

I’d def take the full six weeks unless you bounced back far more quickly and positively felt like it
presumably the better recovery you have after the operation the less likely you are to need further time off sick

put your feet up

Take the time off. Look after yourself.

You've been given a sick note for 6 weeks for a reason, take the time off and don't give it a second thought.

I had what I thought was pretty minor surgery - salpingectomy via laparoscopy. This was following two separate mastectomies so thought it would be a breeze. OMG, did I under estimate it. I couldn't even stand up properly for a fortnight, let alone carry anything heavier than a cup of tea. What I hadn't realised is that for this kind of surgery, they pump you full of gas and the pain from that was indescribable. I felt like I had been hit by a car for a good month.

Tell work to sod off Be calm with your work place and tell them that you've been signed off for six weeks. It's been a big surgery and this is your surgeon/consultant's orders, so it must be respected. Surely they want you back fit and firing on all cylinders, not returning to soon and needing to be signed off for longer?

Wishing you a good recovery.

This.

My late husband used to say to me "If you want to know how much you'll be missed when you leave work, put your hand in bucket of water and take it out again."

Six weeks sounds normal for post-surgery recovery - I'm surprised it's even been questioned. Don't be afraid to ask for a phased return if you need it when you go back - it's surprising how tired you can feel even when you're healed up, as your body takes a while to recover from the physical trauma of surgery.

I took 6 weeks off after my laparoscopy for endo and didn’t feel bad about it at all, I actually wish I’d extended it to 8 weeks. I slept loads so clearly my body was recovering and needed the rest. I hope you can get a good rest too!

Use every single day. Then look for a new job. Dicks.

Of course you must take the six weeks, and you may well need longer. That is just the standard time off after major surgery. If you don't allow your body time to heal you'll risk becoming unwell again and having more time off in the long run. No comparison with what you've been through, but when I was off after badly breaking my wrist and required surgery on it, my line manager was trying to get me to go in - even though I was a nurse! I got the Union rep involved and didn't have any more trouble after that .

Your company is not insured if you go bavk
earlier but injure yourself in a way that’s related to your surgery healing so just relax and recover and watch some good tv!

So true @WearyAuldWumman 💐❤️

Stay off for the full six weeks, as advised by the medical professional. Then take longer if you need it. HR don’t care about you, you are just a number and replaceable.

Op I am an employment lawyer and I can absolutely say any dismissal in these circumstances would be unfair. It’s a relatively short period of time with medical evidence and a good prognosis. And apart from the law it’s really stupid to force someone back early ‘because’ when that might actually make you relapse and need more time off.

They shouldn't be questioning it.
Take the 6 weeks. 6 weeks recovery for that type of operation is standard.

I imagine the “6 weeks now equals long term sick leave” comment means they’re annoyed that this will trigger some formal return to work stuff in their policy, like a staggered return, reasonable adjustments etc. Considering what you’ve been through, you should have those anyway, so they’re just being picky and trying to get away with not having to look after you properly. Honestly, check your work’s absence policy, I bet that 6 weeks is a trigger point for them to have to do something.

It's surgery. Let yourself heal.

Even if you feel right, be cautious. Damn.

Take the 6 weeks. And take longer if you need it too! Maybe a phased return to ease yourself back. You need to be fully fit and to know that you can not only do your job, but all of he stuff you normally do outside of work too.

Oh my gosh, the nerve of them! 😆 They can't do ANYthing about you having 6 weeks off if you have been written off. I think you should start looking for another job soon @Phoneshop as they don't seem very nice and caring.

I hope you do recover soon. But yes, take the 6 weeks off. If this weather continues, it will be nice!

YABU for considering compromising your health by thinking of not using the recommended recovery.

I despise the way in which people (HR) seem to think they can challenge and override a doctor’s recommendation. The consultant said you need 6 weeks to recover - I’m pretty sure she/he didn’t pluck that out of thin air. Can you imagine this with any other professional opinion?

“The structural engineer says we need 6 steel pillars to erect this building, but I’m sure we can make do with 4”.

”The scuba diving instructor thinks we should take extra oxygen for this dive but it’s heavy to carry, let’s take less”

So yes, YANBU and you should take the full amount of time.