can I go to a concert when off work sick ?

tinkersaaa

Hi. I have been off work since January with depression. In February my mum died and now I am off work with a sick note stating depression and bereavement. My current sick note lasts one more week. I have tickets to a concert tomorrow night. Would I get in trouble with work if I go to the concert whilst off sick ?

Hedgehog99

Sick leave should mean you are not capable of work or any activity that puts a similar "strain" on you as attending work would.

On the other hand, IMHO, sick leave for depression is different from sick leave for an illness like flu. With that, you cannot/should not leave the house because of your symptoms.

If the concert is just up the road and lasts an hour and a half, and would cheery you up a bit, maybe it's OK to go, as part of "getting used to feeling like going out again" in preparation for returning to work? However, if the concert is a long journey away and at a big venue with lots of crowds, which would be more physically tiring to attend, then that is more like being capable of work if you're capable of the longer travel where you'd be away from home for the length of time a day's work would cause you to be away from home?

SeduLOUs

Your employer may not look on it too fondly but you are off because you are depressed not because you have broken limbs.

The note you handed in from your GP states that you are not fit to work. It does not state that you are not fit to leave your house/go for a walk/do your grocery shopping/go to a concert.

If you have less than two years employment your boss can get rid of you for pretty much any reason at all, so on that basis alone it may be worth reconsidering whether to go if you don't think they would like it.

If you're over the two years then go and enjoy yourself!

RichardD1970

Not getting into the rights or wrongs of it, but, how would work know?

asajj

Since when people with depression cannot/should not leave the house?

If let's say you are off-sick with a broken leg and then seen playing golf, that would cause you problems.

However I cannot see why you cannot go to a concert just because you have depression unless your manager is looking for a reason to get rid of you.

I'd not worry that much but I'd not put my selfies at the concert to show how great I'm feeling.

alexjonsson

It's absolutely OK. I can't speak for someone with depression, apart from to say that I'd put it in the category of 'trying to feel better about myself'.

I have cancer, and am signed off work. On the bad days I can't do anything. On the good days I try to live my life as full as possible - including cycling, holidays, running and playing with my toddler. I do everything I would normally do if I can, knowing that the next week I may be in hospital or unable to get out of bed.

Transformers

JustOnce wrote: »

What a disgusting creature.

How dare you comment.

Eh - open forum, that's how they 'dare' to comment.


I'm more disturbed that you think it's OK to call someone a 'disgusting creature'.


Let's be honest, how would this trip look to the employer? Off because of a bereavement and depression yet going to a concert?

I agree that the time off work should allow the person the opportunity to get back on an even footing but a concert?


How would they find out? Word of mouth, Facebook etc.

JustOnce

Transformers wrote: »

Eh - open forum, that's how they 'dare' to comment.


I'm more disturbed that you think it's OK to call someone a 'disgusting creature'.


Let's be honest, how would this trip look to the employer? Off because of a bereavement and depression yet going to a concert?

I agree that the time off work should allow the person the opportunity to get back on an even footing but a concert?


How would they find out? Word of mouth, Facebook etc.

I think he is a creature. He hardly added anything to the conversation, just felt like he was important enough to beat on the OP.

Now, put yourself in the place of a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, a mental health nurse, a psychologist or a social worker.

One of your clients has been off sick with depression due to losing his mother.

The client tells in the weekly/fortnightly check-up that they have a concert booked. But they're not sure if they should go or not.

Now imagine you're one of the professionals I mentioned (and not Iain Duncan Smith). What would you say when the client told you they had a ticket booked, but were not sure they should go?

Would you say -- being up to going to a concert for a fews hours means that the person is now fit enough to return to work? (ignoring the convenient, medical fact that depression is worse on waking than before going to bed)?

Or would you say, perhaps this is a good idea at starting to get some normality into your life?

ShadowPuma

You *should* be ok to go without issue. If you do run into workmates or update it on facebook and have work contacts on there etc then you could get a question from work but most likely even if they do get told they will realise the difference between that and working.

bluenoseam

As a courtesy you should inform your employer of your decision to attend a concert - speaking from experience I know my own boss at the time was not bothered by it when I did similar. (Albeit for a physical ailment)

As for some people on here's overreaction, with all due respects, calling someone a "disgusting creature" is neither justified or warranted. It was one poster's opinion that if you're well enough to attend a concert then you may be well enough to consider returning to work. Ultimately the rights & wrongs of verbalising the question are not for any of us to decide - but I would be shocked if the person who did ask it was in a minority of one.

wiltsguy_2

If you have been signed off from work by a qualified doctor you can do what you like. The doctor, as the professional has decreed that you are unfit to attend work, unless he has stated that you are 'not to attend concerts' i would go.