Signed off sick and attending events

Sncjw

Hi all

I recently had ear surgery and recovering OK.. I have been signed off work and because I need to wear masks i can't do this due to where the stiches are..

I have a few events coming up and one where some people from my workplace will be. I have spent money to get outfits for these events. I am worried that they will deem me not to be sick if I attend.

Also I have the ability to work from. Home but not sure if I am. Expected to. 

Undervalued

Well, if you are well enough to work then you should at least offer to work from home.

Being off sick does not mean that you have to stay at home with the door locked. However you have a duty to your employer to do all you can to recover as quickly as possible. Under some circumstances going out and about may be helpful to your recovery but, as you intimate, it could be misunderstood.

The best way to avoid any misunderstanding is to be up front with your employer and tell them. If they raise any objection you need to heed it or, at the very least, if appropriate discuss the matter further with them. 

TELLIT01

If you are otherwise fit and well, it would be a good idea to offer to work from home in the circumstances.  If the employer says it's not practical you can tell any colleagues you bump into that you offered.

Sncjw

The issue is that I can not wear a mask due to where the stiches are. 

p00hsticks

Sncjw said:

The issue is that I can not wear a mask due to where the stiches are. 

But would you still need to wear a mask if working from home ? Or is it only something that applies in the workplace ?

If the latter, then, as TELLIT01 points out, if you are otherwise fit and well it would be sensible to offer to work from home until the stitches are removed. If your offer is declined then at least it would put you in a better light with your fellow-workers if you later turn up at events.  

Undervalued

With a little effort and some ingenuity it must be possible to arrive at a mask that does not need elastic behind your ears. Maybe supported from a headband like a visor and a tie behind your neck? 

Thrugelmir

Sncjw said:

The issue is that I can not wear a mask due to where the stiches are. 

Did you have a conversation with your employer before getting yourself signed off sick. Is there nothing that you could do at home. If wearing a mask is your only constraint. 

comeandgo

I have some masks that have strings and tie behind the head, you may be able to use them

TBagpuss

I agree, if the only reason you can't return to work is due to the position of the stiches I'd be inclined to explain that to your employer and ask whether they want you to work from home

All of my masks are the kind which have elastic or ties that go round my head, not my ears, as I find they fit better and are more comfortable. A lot of them this does mean that the elastic goes above my ears but there are some where there  is a single strap that goes under your ears - NUÜR make some (you can buy via amazon) in that style 

But that said, being off sick doesn't mean you are bed bound. depending on the type and nature of the event it might be perfectly reasonable to be at the event and not yet able to be at work. 

74jax

Does your sick note give this as the reason? 

Sncjw

I think it said ear surgery anf they also know I've had ear surgery