Just seen "sick" colleague in supermarket

[Daniellemcg]

We're part of a small team (NHS staff) and are chronically under staffed and overworked.
One team member went off sick earlier this week with what she called the most horrific back pain caused by sciatica. Submitted a sicknote yesterday for 4 weeks. Saw her in supermarket today carrying her toddler and pushing trolley full to the brim with other hand.
She led us to believe she's in agony but was laughing to her toddler and walking normally today. No signs of the pain she's been displaying at work.
She didn't see me today.
Should I say anything at work? Everyone at work has been saying "poor Emma (name change), she must be in agony.. The poor thing.".

Bring back the workhouses hey

Is there any posts on mumsnet today that arent trying to get people fired.

Maybe she’s on some strong pain killer and still has to do a food shop. How about ask her how she is?

Given that the OP has posted about the situation on Mumsnet using scare quotes around "sick", I think it would be extremely unwise to speak to anyone at work. The names might have been changed, but if there is enough detail for the jigsaw pieces to fit together at work, then it could cause a huge row, the colleague might feel they have been harassed and suffered detriment whilst unwell, and the OP could potentially end up in a disciplinary situation themself.

@Daniellemcg I am beginning to think Daily Fail reporters are encouraged to ‘post’ on MN - scarper and then see what happens.

Eh? Did you quote the wrong poster?

It always astounds me how much people know about the reasons their colleagues are off sick.
I never told anyone why I was off sick, yet everyone knew. I was also reported for being out. I was off for MH reasons and someone saw me in a pub. Never mind the fact my friends staged an intevention to get me washed, dressed and out. I actually enjoyed it, and was seen laughing... therefore I could not possibly be depressed. I was actually hauled into the manager's office over it... during my sick leave too.

🙄 I’ve had bad back pain, and can categorically say that I would have been physically unable to carry a toddler, whether drugged up or not. Next to toothache, it’s the worst pain ever.

I’m having issues with my sciatic nerve. Could barely move for about a week. Seemed well enough to go to an industry event on Wednesday, had a great time and even decided to join people at a local bar after. Until five minutes of walking and I was instantly back in agony. Don’t pretend everyone in severe pain is the same, and that it will always be entirely
consistent.

You’re acting like she had four weeks off to go to Marbella. OP saw her in the supermarket (if any of this is genuine). It’s hardly a big old jolly at the taxpayers’ expense.

Your colleague submitted a sick note , not a death certificate. 🤷‍♀️
I wasn’t aware all sick people had zero mobility and restrictions ?

You are not the only person with back pain and just because you cant carry a toddler that doesnt mean others cant

Isn't it amazing how we're all different...

Is she supposed to starve?

Absolutely this. I have a colleague who had time off sick when his Mrs attempted to take her own life. Only I know because the rest of my team are nasty fuckers like you, Op so he had to make up a back injury. You need to leave your colleague alone, not everyone's life is as simple as yours clearly is.

Well that settles it then.

🗣️ Livelaughbehappy has spoken, everyone! Back pain has been officially defined.

Take your own advice, there there.

Surely if someone is off sick, then that should be the end of it? The reasons why should be confidential.

“the supermarket is an essential activity” you’ve not heard they deliver these days?

People still need to buy food when they are sick.

Even if she is taking the piss and you can’t take this as proof of this, it’s between her and her employer, not you. Presumably if she’s signed off sick, her medical practitioner has signed her off.

It seems like the OP and others are overly fixated on someone else's health status. Why not investigate, collect evidence, request medical exams, seek medical opinions, resort to stalking, and then report to confirm whether the person is genuine or faking it? But of course, it's so much easier just being a keyboard warrior.
If medical professionals are issuing or selling fake documents for sick leave, they should be dismissed after proper procedures are followed to confirm it was actually happening.
It seems like there are a lot of people around here who believe that those temporarily off work for health reasons should lose their jobs and rely more on state benefits. With the country already facing challenges from too many people depending on benefits, it’s surprising that too many still think those officially employed but on health-related leave should be pushed out of their jobs.

If she felt able to go there, then why not? She could have been doing a top up shop of fresh produce. I bet if OP comes back, she will be picking apart what this person was buying too.
And being off sick does not mean you are housebound.

I was replying to the quote that the supermarket is an essential activity- it’s not.

How do you know why she has been signed off. That shouldn't be a subject for workplace gossip. Perhaps she is suffering from an illness that makes her feel vulnerable or judged and has agreed with her manager to just say it is sciatica to avoid getting into the details while she takes her 4 weeks to recover.
Leave her alone. If you say anything you will come over as malicious and untrustworthy to your colleagues.

Who decides?
I bet you loved the Covid lockdowns.