Sick Note & Going Out

stclair

Hi,

I am having an operation on my eyes (squint surgery) tomorrow.

I will be given a sick note for a atleast a week.

However as I have had the surgery before I know more than likely ill be fine in myself after 2 days.

Would it be frowned upon if I meet friends for coffee/lunch etc whilst im off sick.

Any

stclair wrote: »

Hi,

I am having an operation on my eyes (squint surgery) tomorrow.

I will be given a sick note for a atleast a week.

However as I have had the surgery before I know more than likely ill be fine in myself after 2 days.

Would it be frown upon if I meet friends for coffee/lunch etc whilst im off sick.

Yes, in this case I think it would be.
If you have manual standing up job and you go to lunch in the wheel chair then it's fine (ie you can do that, but you wouldn't be able to do your normal job), but you are talking about being absolutely fine...
I think if you are going to be seen absolutely fine you are going to be frown upon.

hcb42

Last post is confusing.never known eye surgery to require a wheelchair, if it does I feel your pain......


Nothing wrong with seeing others if you are genuinely Unfit to work.

If you are fit to see friends, are you fit to work?

If not, for some valid reason, fine. If you are, go to work.

jd87

Yeah if you're fine get back to work.

Just because a sick note is for a week doesn't mean you should be off the whole week. If you are spotted out and about you will be fired, and rightly so.

stclair

jd87 wrote: »

Yeah if you're fine get back to work.

Just because a sick note is for a week doesn't mean you should be off the whole week. If you are spotted out and about you will be fired, and rightly so.

I dont think an eye operation, stitches in my eyes and a VDU will go together.

Plus Im also going to be having very blood shot eyes eek...

pc1271

If you didn't get any sick pay, would you be off work for the whole week?

justanopinion

jd87 wrote: »

Yeah if you're fine get back to work.

Just because a sick note is for a week doesn't mean you should be off the whole week. If you are spotted out and about you will be fired, and rightly so.

This is not the case - your note confirms that you are not fit for work. It is nothing about you leaving the house etc. If an employer wanted to challenge a fit note, they would need to consider an OH referral and even this would not negate the GP/Consultant's decision.

Unlike some countries, the UK rules do not stipulate you have to remain housebound, ready for the work doctor to visit at any time.

stclair

Id also like to add ive not been off work sick for 5 years.

People in my office only have to sneeze once and their off for a fortnight lol

stclair

pc1271 wrote: »

If you didn't get any sick pay, would you be off work for the whole week?

Well to be honest I was originally taking it as annual holiday until I slipped up then they wouldn't allow it as they knew I was having an operation.

So this question is not about beating the system or anything. I asked if I could come back into work prior and HR said I some about insurance whilst having a sick note.

Own_My_Own

jd87 wrote: »

Yeah if you're fine get back to work.

Just because a sick note is for a week doesn't mean you should be off the whole week. If you are spotted out and about you will be fired, and rightly so.

You can not just turn up at work and say you feel better. Your employer has to agree to you returning.

This has only recently changed with the introduction of 'fit notes'.
On the old 'sick note' you could not return until it had expired.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2559.aspx?CategoryID=190&SubCategoryID=1903

zzzLazyDaisy

StClair, if you have a nasty vindictive Boss who is out to get you, then your best bet is to stay inside with the curtains drawn until your week is up.....

Meanwhile, back in the real world - any reasonable employer will draw a distinction between having coffee with friends while recuperating from eye surgery, and doing intensely eye-focussed work (pun intended) against doctors advice.

If you are concerned though, just have a quiet word with HR and they will (should) put your mind at rest.

Dx