I fractured 2 fingers on my left hand after a bad fall on Thursday. As the breaks are quite close to the knuckle joint I have a full arm splint as well as a finger splint and all of my fingers are strapped together for support. The doctor at the fracture clinic asked about the nature of my job and has given me a sick note for 4 weeks off work, I am due back to the fracture clinic in 2 weeks for a follow up appointment.
I work for a supermarket on the opticians department, I advised my manager on Friday that I had a sick note and explained what had happened, she said this was fine and could I drop my sick note as soon as possible, I said my partner could bring it on Monday and that was that. She has now called me back today and said that personell have advised for me to have a meeting with someone from occupational health, they think I should be able to still come in to work as my right hand is not affected and I am right handed.
I really don't feel I am able to go into work as I have no use at all of my left hand, my thumb is the only part of my hand not strapped up so my partner has to help me get dressed and I've spent the last 2 days in tshirts and leggings, I fail to see how I am supposed to wear a button down shirt! I am also not sleeping well of a night and coupled with the strong painkillers I am spending my days dozing on the couch!
Can occupational health override my sick note? Surely I am a liability if I'm made to go into work in a busy supermarket with a hand fracture when I have been advised to stay off? I'm just not sure where I stand in this situation? My partner is a manager for another company and he is disgusted, he wants me to say I am too ill to attend the meeting but the colleague handbook says if I don't attend they will stop my sick pay.