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.".

I have already commented saying that you should mind your own business but wanted to add:

• how do you know what is on her sick note? because an employer/a manager should not be randomly sharing medical details with others

• what do you think will happen if you snitch? being signed off sick does not mean you cannot and should not leave your house. It simply means you cannot perform your work duties as usual due to mental or physical issues

• Also your colleague will simply say that you were mistaken and that she was not in that supermarket and accuse you of trying to get her sacked.

Frankly you would be bringing more trouble on yourself that it is worth...

No I’m the sort to respect that people who work stressful understaffed jobs should be allowed to take time off when they need it without their colleagues following them around supermarkets trying to get evidence to get them sacked.

She didn’t bump in to her ice skating, or in a club, she was in a supermarket having to crack on with daily life because she’s a parent and she can take time off work but she can’t take time off looking after herself or her kids

Quite. I'm on prescription painkillers for my back at the moment, but I still carry my toddler daily, because needs must. I am very very careful how I do it. Incidentally the things that have caused flare ups this week involved bending and twisting. Carrying my child has been fine.

They like lots on nhs staff probably have mental health issues that were a contributing factor for the sick note but just not written on it.

I once left a shift early when I worked in a hospital. I had raging tonsillitis and I lived alone. I stopped at Tesco for painkillers and Ribena.

Got spotted, reported and got a bollocking. Please don’t jump to conclusions before you report your colleague.

Mind your own business. Absolutely do not get involved. I mean she still needs to feed herself and her family so obviously she can still go to supermarket. For all u know this trip out might have floored her n she is in agony now

It’s mostly bending for me too. Filling the dishwasher and washing machine, putting things in and out the oven, getting things out the freezer are all agony. Pushing a trolley is fine. I don’t have a toddler so can’t comment on that.

This why I hated working in an office. Nosy busybodies. Direct your anger at your management.

I think I would have said hi Emma how are you feeling today.

Yes, most of my colleagues all thought I had a certain different reason on my sick note. The reality was far more awful (I had a mental health crisis) and frankly none of their business. By the way, I masked very well and presented and performed as usual at work.

And if I was the colleague she reported I’d start a blood fued with her until the day I died so if she’s as petty as me, then she’s also creating an uncomfortable work environment.

I'm a single mum and have drugged myself up to the max, stuck a heat pad on my back or some ibuprofen gel etc

I've done the same when having to leave the house with a painful soft tissue injury around my knee. I timed the painkillers for half an hour before I had to walk anywhere and I'm able to walk somewhat normally for an hour or so.

Soon wears off though. I don't think you should say anything. You've no idea what sort of pain she's in and when.

My Line Manager once asked me if I was still playing my sport (I'd been really suffering with sciatica and sitting at work for 8 hours every day was making it much worse). Turns out you're as ignorant as he was. Check out the advice from YOUR EMPLOYER:

Sciatica - NHS

I hope all of the people on this thread that think she should be reported one day have to take some time off and then are pulled in to a disciplinary on their return because they were seen and a pharmacy and they managed to crack a smile so you couldn’t have been that sick

I've messaged you x

Bloody hell! Mind your own business. She might be off sick but she still needs to eat.

you sound like a lovely supportive colleague… really hope you don’t have to go off sick for whatever reason at some point…. Sneaking round watching her in a supermarket… perhaps a new career is calling?

Seem doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

She might have just been having a good few hours. I’ve been off sick for the last week. I’ve been to the supermarket. I’ve also been over the loo throwing my guts up many a time. Stop being such a bloody nosey parker. You have no idea what she is going through.

People like you make work a nightmare

Shockingly, sick people go to supermarkets, bring their children, carry them even if have sciatica etc.needs must

I suffer with sciatica amd I’m on sick leave. Today I took my son to the park (with my walking stick)
last week I could stand /sit for no more than 30 minutes at a time, a few months ago when I was on high dose opiates I had pain free days.
It is completely feasible with sciatica to have pain free periods (particularly with meds) and then have periods of agonising pain. In the same day.

stop judging.

I've had sciatica for years, I take amitriptyline at night then a combo of 3 high strength pain and anti inflammatory meds on the day so with a smile slapped on my face I look ok, heck I'm often seen carrying a disabled 9 year old about...... bit an hour before my night meds or on a particularly bad day I can hardly move

You don't know the full ins and outs of her condition so without any proof she's being untruthful it's best you butt out

There’s no law saying you need to be confined to your bed if you’re off sick. Keep out of it

There are some nasty cowardly little shits on this thread.