Sporting Injury, what to tell employer?

zaffi

Happy 2012 to all,

I've broken a metatarsal in my foot playing 5 a side football. I'm due back at work from the holidays tomorrow.

A couple of friends of mine have independently said to me not to say it was football related as at their respective works they wouldn't get full sick pay. One works for a small surveyors the other for ASDA.

I've checked my employee handbook and the section on sick leave doesn't mention sporting injuries, however it states to refer to "the policies and procedures manual for a full version of the sickness and absence policy"

I don't have a copy of that at home. So, what to tell HR? the truth and roll the dice with thousands of pounds, or lie and say I fell?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated
zaf.

dacouch

Are you not able to work with a broken foot ?

zaffi

No, I spend the majority of my 12 hour day on my feet. I work in a drugs lab, on many levels it wouldn't be safe.

scheming_gypsy

Just tell them you've broken a bone in your foot, which is the truth.

zaffi

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

Just tell them you've broken a bone in your foot, which is the truth.

It is, but HR will ask "how did it happen?" I guess i could say I was running and changed direction too quickly, which is the truth. But instead of football say i was running for a train or a bus?

Googlewhacker

If you lie and get caught it will only make matters worse for you. Also if you get caught it may cause problems for other members of staff when they are looking for sick pay.

Emmzi

Have you ever discussed playing football at work?

Tell the truth. Ask if there are any desk jobs you can do in the meantime (show willing).

zaffi

Emmzi wrote: »

Have you ever discussed playing football at work?

Tell the truth. Ask if there are any desk jobs you can do in the meantime (show willing).

No, I don't play for a team or anything, it's just a casual game with friends, I see it as exercise, same as golf or going to the gym.

If I tell the truth I could (probably won't, but could) lose over £3K in wages!, as for desk jobs, not possible, unless the company are willing to pay for a taxi to and from work looking at >£100 per day, even more at weekends

I'm probably 95% certain telling the truth will be fine, as the company are big on employee wellbeing, bike to work schemes and free fruit for all and encouraging exercise (there is a golf society at work for subsided golf and subsided gym memberships too). But, just can't take the risk when I don't have the full sickness policy to hand.

Emmzi

You do know you could be starting a path to sacking due to loss of confidence or trust?

Googlewhacker

Emmzi wrote: »

You do know you could be starting a path to sacking due to loss of confidence or trust?

I wouldn't bother the OP clearly is going to lie so not even sure what the point of this thread was.

zaffi

Googlewhacker wrote: »

I wouldn't bother the OP clearly is going to lie so not even sure what the point of this thread was.

The point of the thread was to help me make up my mind, and it has, i'm going to say i went over on my ankle and the bone broke. which it did, so be truthful but vague. cheers for the input.