What is acceptable when on sickness leave?

[CoShirker]

Co worker of mine has been on long term sick, retail job, she's a manager.

It's no secret that she's off with stress but apparently not work related.

She's been to the hairdressers next door several times, on holiday twice, to the local pub opposite at least twice a week, walks her dog daily etc.

I know this is no business of mine, but I feel a bit resentful that she's on fully paid leave.
I find it a bit

Can you just go about your business normally and flaunt your presence in the town if you're off sick?

Please don't flame me, I don't intend to cause any trouble for her, I just don't want to talk to my other Co-workers about how I feel.

Thank you

[gamerwidow]

Sorry if you feel I’m being harsh but it makes me really cross when people think it’s ok to gossip about people who are ill with non obvious physical symptoms.

[Sandybval]

Good for you that you can justify it for her. Although everyone is different, for many people with stress it is made much worse by sitting at home, but there is a huge difference between being at work and going to the hairdresser's. It is none of your business, it is between your manager and her manager and that's that to be honest.

[TheHodgeoftheHedge]

couple of moans yesterday about the fact she's not once been into the shop to see anyone. She posts the sick forms through the letterbox when we are closed.

How ironic, because judging from your judgmental posts, if she did come into the shop to give her sick forms, I'm sure you'd all have a field day bitching about how as she's able to come into give her sick forms, she's obviously well enough to be back and just rubbing it in every one's faces.

[hormonesorDHbeingadick]

The GP will have advised her that it is important for her to work on her recovery by getting out and doing normal things and fun things. If she has a physical injury then she would have physio to do daily to improve her health. She is totally doing the right thing.

[Runmoreorless]

If someone is struggling with their mental health I'd think a regular lunch out and having her hair done is just what the doctor ordered.

The fact that she's able to organise and follow such a routine might suggest her MH isn't so bad as to require so much time off work, especially if the stress isn't work related but that's down to her doctor and the employer's OH dept. There's nothing to be gained by your resentment OP.

It certainly isn't a requirement that she's housebound. She won't get well like that.

[Malvinaa81]

If on sick leave, it is acceptable to go out.
It is acceptable to walk your dog.
It is acceptable to go to the hairdressers.

These are not "flaunting your presence in town".

It seems your view of a person being unwell doesn't permit them to carry on everyday life.

Perhaps you will find out one day what it is to be ill.

Just remember never to go out when you do!