Leaving the country while signed off

[JustWantToSeeMyMum]

I've been signed off for a couple of months now with depression and although I've tried a phased return it hasn't worked out, so I'm now "unfit for work" again. My mum lives abroad and I haven't seen her since last autumn - normally she'd visit more often but strikes etc meant she couldn't come. I usually go and see her every summer in the 6 week break. She can't come here between May and October as she works in the tourism industry.

I miss my mum and am having a really hard time of it at the moment. It has been suggested to me by several people that going to see her would be good for me, both because she's my mum and to give me a change of scenery. But it feels really bad to be thinking about what to all intents and purposes appears to be a "holiday" in term time while signed off. Does anyone understand the legal, practical or moral ins and outs of this situation better than I do? If so, advice would be much appreciated!

I’d go but would keep it low key. No posting photos on social media, etc,. It could give you a real boost. Keep in your head why it is you’re going & what you’ll get out of it that will help you feel better. That way, if anyone mentions it, you can confidently say that it wasn’t a holiday, it was spending time with your mum to aid your recovery.

I get that is feels a bit “off” but you absolutely can go and see your mum in terms of the legality, especially as in your case it sounds like it would actually help your recover, so correct morally as well. Perhaps try to reframe it to yourself in those terms, in order to get better I need some support from my mum, if I go and see her I might get well enough to return to work quicker.
I would however keep all mention of the trip off social media as there are plenty of folk who will bitch about it.

I went to visit family overseas whilst I was signed off for a term. I was medically unfit to teach, not medically unfit to visit my family.

My head went ballistic when he found out (because he called and got the international dialling tone) and tried to make a thing of it. My union put him very firmly back in his box.

Go. It will do you good. Just don't post about it all over social media!

I went on holiday to Egypt when I was signed off sick. I'd just had chemo and radiotherapy and was okayed by my Oncologist that I was ok to go on holiday.

My headteacher knew. He was fine with it. I was still recovering and it was really an amazing, chilled holiday (even though I was practically bald)

It’s not a holiday, it’s a trip to see your mum, and if she lived in Manchester you wouldn’t give it a second thought. Be smart about it and don’t spam your social media with check-ins and beach selfies but otherwise go and have a lovely time!

You are allowed to go on holiday when signed off sick, certainly in school holidays (as your normal holiday and doesn't count as sick leave). Check with your union of process, which might include advising school as part of your recovery).

Thank you all for your advice. I'm feeling a lot less guilty for even thinking of it now! I'm going to discuss with my GP, check with my union rep and make sure my head teacher is aware. And no fb pics! Hopefully it will kick start my recovery and I'll stop feeling so shit...

Headteacher here - go! I’d have no issue with a member of staff going to visit family when signed off sick. I’d counsel against putting pictures on social media for all the reasons listed above, but I’d be very supportive of this.

Hope this helps - and you start to feel a bit better soon.

I really don't think that going to stay with your mum when signed off sick, given that it would help your recovery, would be frowned upon at all! Yes I would let your Headteacher know, but it's surely completely normal to be taken care of by family when you're ill?