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Original poster

Seen in town when off sick

28 replies

Notallowedtobesick · 24/06/2021 18:04

I'm off sick, very short term (not even a week) with a non-covid infection. I've seen a GP (well, telephone appointment) and been in contact with 111.

I live in the town centre so my nearest pharmacy is a high street Superdrug store and that's where the GP sends my prescriptions to collect. My antibiotics have been giving me ungodly side effects so I went to collect a second prescription today for anti-emetics and grab some over the counter stuff to help.

On my way home I popped in a small supermarket for basics and pet food so I could hunker down and get well over the weekend.

A colleague on a late shift has seen me in town on their way to work then spread it about the department that I'm obviously skiving because I looked 'dolled up'. A friendly colleague text me to tell me this. I was in leggings and a hoodie, no make up. Only thing was I hadn't bothered to tie my hair back like I have to for my job and I wore a neck scarf to cover my PCOS induced lady-beard that I am too exhausted to tweeze.

Obviously I'll be able to evidence prescriptions etc if anything is taken up to management. But just why? Why not talk to me in town? I'd have happily let them in on how minging I feel.

Sorry for a long rant. I don't actually need any help. I just really hate my workplace right now and this is just like a twatty cherry on a shitstorm cake.

OP posts:
insancerre · 24/06/2021 18:06

You are allowed to go out
Ignore the gossips

BuffySummersReportingforSanity · 24/06/2021 18:06

You certainly have at least one twatty colleague who badly needs to mind their own beeswax.

If I may make a suggestion - I'd proactively tackle this with your manager, either when you return or now by email. "It's been passed onto me that X saw me when I was picking up a necessary prescription and has spread it about that I wasn't really ill. This was false, and I wanted to set the record straight up front."

iusedtohavechickens · 24/06/2021 18:06

Honestly I wouldn't worry about it you were at a supermarket buying food. There is no law saying that you can't go out of off sick as as you say you were picking up prescriptions too x

altforvarmt · 24/06/2021 18:08

Try not to worry about your colleague telling tales. If your employer has any sense, they'll know that being off sick does not mean you can't leave your house, and that nothing need be done about your colleague reporting seeing you.

Original poster
Notallowedtobesick · 24/06/2021 18:15

Thanks guys.

I'm not worried. I have evidence for my reasons for being out should anything come from higher up, and we're adults.

I AM furious. This colleague has been a knob recently, putting it mildly. Their behaviour borders on bullying even prior to this.

It just irks me. I would love nothing more than to kick her prissy little butt! Deep breaths will get me through.

OP posts:
MadMadMadamMim · 24/06/2021 18:17

I'd put in a complaint about gossipy colleague and ask that management speaks to them.

They have absolutely no right to information on what is wrong with you - you have a GP note and you are right. This is bullying.

Ask management to speak to them about appropriate behaviour in the workplace.

user1487194234 · 24/06/2021 18:49

There was a case last week where someone who was off sick was sacked for being in the pub,he won his case
I would consider raising the colleague's behaviour with your manager

pumpkintree · 24/06/2021 20:50

When your back walk over to them and say. I have been told you have let everyone know I was all done up at the supermarket- do you often spread lies and misinformation? Would you like to know why I was out when it was none of your business and also it is not ok to talk about people off sick your opinion is just that, an opinion. Keep them to yourself is my advice you wouldn't want to end up in front of HR would you.

BashfulClam · 25/06/2021 22:29

@pumpkintree

When your back walk over to them and say. I have been told you have let everyone know I was all done up at the supermarket- do you often spread lies and misinformation? Would you like to know why I was out when it was none of your business and also it is not ok to talk about people off sick your opinion is just that, an opinion. Keep them to yourself is my advice you wouldn't want to end up in front of HR would you.
Don’t do this!
Original poster
Notallowedtobesick · 26/06/2021 06:08

Wouldn't dream of it.

OP posts:
Gullible2021 · 26/06/2021 06:13

@MadMadMadamMim

I'd put in a complaint about gossipy colleague and ask that management speaks to them.

They have absolutely no right to information on what is wrong with you - you have a GP note and you are right. This is bullying.

Ask management to speak to them about appropriate behaviour in the workplace.

I'd 100% do this. Nasty colleague. Hope you make a speedy recovery Flowers
RubyGoat · 26/06/2021 06:15

Ignore your ignorant colleague. You are morally & legally entitled to collect medicine & food while off sick from work.

Original poster
Notallowedtobesick · 26/06/2021 06:32

Thanks guys. I'm on the mend and almost out of the woods.

I won't report. I'll take my evidence to my return to work meeting just to make a quiet point.

The PITA colleague will hopefully just get her come uppence down the line as more people realise what she's like.

OP posts:
Mandalay246 · 26/06/2021 06:53

This sort of thing has been going on for as long as people have taken days off when sick. Just ignore them, you know the full story and that's all that matters.

Figgygal · 26/06/2021 07:01

If your manager raises it tell them what’s happened
If not ignore

PurpleyBlue · 26/06/2021 07:21

@pumpkintree

When your back walk over to them and say. I have been told you have let everyone know I was all done up at the supermarket- do you often spread lies and misinformation? Would you like to know why I was out when it was none of your business and also it is not ok to talk about people off sick your opinion is just that, an opinion. Keep them to yourself is my advice you wouldn't want to end up in front of HR would you.
Don't do this
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 26/06/2021 07:25

I wouldnt even engage or mention it. If your LM asks then tell them. If you get any flack report to your LM.

redcarbluecar · 26/06/2021 07:37

I think your idea about quietly mentioning at the RTW meeting is a good one. I don’t think it’d be a bad thing to acknowledge that you’re aware of the gossip.

updownroundandround · 26/06/2021 11:33

I get very annoyed when this subject comes up, because there is no reason a person has to remain housebound when they are too unwell for work !

The 'guilt' people report to feeling when they are spotted/seen is like something from a bloody spy movie Confused

Also this weird idea that we need to 'have evidence' or 'justify' being out of the house is insane !

If someone is too unwell to work, they are too unwell to work. They're NOT the subject of an 'isolate' and remain bed.housebound until you are fit for work' legally/morally enforceable order ffs Confused

BashfulClam · 27/06/2021 22:36

I was reported as I was seen out having a coffee when I was off with depression. The fact is that it was the first time I had managed to get dressed at all and I needed out of the sane 4 walls. Despite my manager being a duck head he laughed and said ‘maybe it will help her feel better which can only be a good thing.’

CassandraTrotter · 27/06/2021 22:39

I'd also report it. I wouldn't let it go if there was a history of bullying.

user1471453601 · 27/06/2021 22:44

When I was off sick (lung cancer), not only did I go out, I went into my office to meet friends to have lunch together.

I didn't give a monkey's, as you shouldnt.

I did what I did for my mental health ( months between a diagnosis and proposed action), you did what you did for physical reasons.

It's the same thing.

MrsAvocet · 27/06/2021 23:01

You haven't done anything wrong and shouldn't have to justify yourself. You don't have to be housebound to be unfit for work.
Some years ago I was the subject of workplace gossip because I'd been seen doing exercise whilst I was off sick after an operation. Yes, I was doing the exercise that I had been instructed to do by my surgeon and physio as an essential part of my recovery! Some people seemed to expect that I would go from being bedbound to fit to do a physically demanding job, overnight, without doing any rehab in between. 🙄
Basically it's nobidy else's business and you don't owe them any explanation but you would be well within your rights to complain.
Hope yiu feel better soon.

Datsandcogs · 27/06/2021 23:09

Life goes on even when you are unwell. Just because you are not well enough to work does not mean that you should be home all the time.

I used to worry about this and was off sick with MH issues years ago. In passing I mentioned to the GP how the walls seemed to be closing in - she made it abundantly clear that I was to go out when I needed or wanted to without feeling guilty.

Take care of yourself OP, don’t feel guilty about being out.

Yousexybugger · 27/06/2021 23:11

If she's got previous for bullying behaviour (I.e. this wasn't likely taken out of context or said without intent) I would be raising this as a complaint as it is attempting to undermine you. How does she expect you to get better from an infection if you can't pick up your meds? Silly mare. Hope you're better soon Flowers