Off sick, hostile work situation and a few days away out of area

[Overwhelmedagain]

Can anyone advise me if there is anything 'wrong' with taking 5 nights away from home for a health/wellbeing break while signed off work due to stress at work?

I'm only saying what the majority of people are actually thinking . Team member goes of sick and yes thats all well and good untill that week or two turns into endless weeks/months the staff are already covering said team member hours can't employ anyone else for cover so it's down to the team and management to cover all this person's shifts only to find out team member is swanning around having lovely days out posting on social media then being on holiday. Of course it's going to get peoples backs up

@Overwhelmedagain

I'm on long term sick. No one picking up my work load in my absence. Rarely use personal social media.

If no one is doing your work whilst you are absent then surely your management should be looking at why the tile exists?

I’d not go on holiday whilst on sick leave, just like if my children are off sick they can’t go out and do things.

It seems a bit cheeky if you are also accruing annual leave whilst off sick.

Why is it cheeky, you’re off work anyway. I’d love to get away for a few days. I’ve been off ages and ages and I’m fed up. Physically I’m not able to go far so a holiday is out of the question at the moment. I’ve spent months at home or venturing close to home with someone with me whilst feeling terrible.

At some point I will need to go back to work and that involves regaining my strength wellbeing by going out. I’d not manage a 12 hour shift on my feet just now. But so nice I’m being grudged a coffee out or a nice day out or even a weekend away so I can try to get better and back to normal so when I am back at work it gives me the best chances of staying well and not being off. Feel guilty enough as it is. I want to go back and earn my wage / on half pay heading for no pay I have kids to feed. I’m not on a jolly, it’s not fun wondering if you'll ever be fit for work and potentially lose a 15 year career. i actually really enjoy my job.

i think making people feel bad when genuinely off sick, struggling and hoping that will get back eventually to what they were before is pretty nasty @Flowertopz lets hope you're never in that position eh i never thought this would happen to me its my worst nightmare

Not that I can afford days out or weekends away, maybe a cup of tea somewhere. But normality is going shopping, getting out, seeing friends etc. I’d rather do that AND work but I can’t just now.

I'm off sick with work related stress that has caused anxiety and depression. I'm not fit for work, but I can go and stay for a few days with my mum or go out. I don't give a hoot what other people think, they're not the ones in my head having to deal with my illness.

@RaininSummer

It seems a bit cheeky if you are also accruing annual leave whilst off sick.

Why is it cheeky? OP might need to save her annual leave for school holidays or for part of her phased return.....not cheeky at all...I had 7 weeks annual leave to take when I came back from my last lot of long term sick leave.... i did my phased return over a month then was able to take time off and edge gently back into my role...good luck to OP ....hope they have a lovely little break

@Flowertopz

Taking the piss . So why your out enjoying a nice week somewhere the rest of the staff have to pick up the slack ... Nah if your not well enough to go to work then definitely not well enough for a holiday . And if your well enough for a holiday then your well enough to go back to work .

I take it you don’t work in one of the caring professions....wouldn’t like to be your colleague....you don’t sound like a very nice person at all🙄

It's ok as long as the sickness policy says so.
I know that mine says I'm not allowed to leave the country whilst on sick, so a trip abroad would be a no, but a few days an hour down the road would be ok.

Hope you're feeling better soon x

In years gone by doctors prescribed a trip to the seaside fir recuperation. It's a perfectly valid recovery choice.

@RaininSummer

It seems a bit cheeky if you are also accruing annual leave whilst off sick.

What about if you're on maternity leave? You accrue holiday then as well!! Is that also cheeky?

“However they will expect you to inform them that you are going away and check that it doesn't breach their sickness policy.”

This wouldn’t be the case where I work it anywhere I have ever worked.

Thanks for the various points of view. Especially those showing understanding, compassion and practical approaches to take.

@Flowertopz

I'm only saying what the majority of people are actually thinking . Team member goes of sick and yes thats all well and good untill that week or two turns into endless weeks/months the staff are already covering said team member hours can't employ anyone else for cover so it's down to the team and management to cover all this person's shifts only to find out team member is swanning around having lovely days out posting on social media then being on holiday. Of course it's going to get peoples backs up

I strongly refute the point that the majority of people think like you. I certainly would not pass judgement on the OP for having a break. It’s not like she’s off for a week because of a stomach bug but went to Glastonbury in the middle of it all.

@Overwhelmedagain best wishes for your recovery. Do what you need to do. You are important.

It seems totally sensible to me. You are off work anyway & surely the more of a break & relaxation you can get the better.

Mind you, my former Manager told me off for meeting a colleague for coffee & cake while off sick with MH a few years ago. So clearly not everyone thinks the same way!

I would keep it off social media but as you say you rarely use it anyway that shouldn't be a problem.

nothing wrong at all.
but keep your own counsel, ie don't tell people, even neighbours, friends, as word gets around it's not worth causing any problems re work.
take a rest, go away, try to relax.
i hope you begin to feel a bit better. and you can enjoy your life a bit.
all the best.

The less you tell people in work about your private life the better.