Signed off sick and attending events

General_Grant

Will you need to wear a mask at any of the "events"?

Marcon

Sncjw said:

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.

As others have suggested, talk to your employer. It probably won't look good if you show up at an event while you are on sick leave, particularly if the colleagues who see you don't realise the reason for your absence and the office grapevine gets going in your (legitimate) absence!

Sncjw said:

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

Again, ask your employer - and make sure you confirm the outcome by e-mail so there can be no misunderstandings at a later date.

74jax

If your sick note says ear surgery then wearing a mask or doesn't really matter to anyone - its not as though your sick note states this.

Management know you are off following ear surgery.  No other staff member needs to know why you are off and I'd be more concerned if they did.

I can't see why you can't go. Being off sick doesn't stop you going out. Yes if you were going to a rave - that might be seen to make ear surgery worse.

I've had one with a broken leg attend a Christmas party, and one off with mental health attend our year end. In both cases I was the one who got the sicknote. No other staff needed to know - though the broken leg was obvious 😂

pjcox2005

Ear Savers Mask Ties Extender Strap - (6 Pack Black) Adjustable Ear Loops Hook Buckle, Silicone Reusable Ear Protection with Three Adjustment Hooks, Relieves Ear Pressure and Discomfort : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

They keep the masks off ears so that may allow you to go back to work quicker. Perhaps not to use straight away but may help be back fit sooner than your events. Worth a look and test for that price. The picture still shows the handles going over the ear but I've seen people wear them higher up their head so they don't go around the ears at all.

Rosa_Damascena

If you're in any doubt that this could come back to bite - just don't attend the events. There will be others you can repurpose your outfits without compromising your position wrt employment.

Sncjw

I have contacted work to ask them. Awaiting response. I don't go to many events so this dress was bought purposely for it.

The masks I wouldn't wear at the wedding reception as not required to.
I have tried bandada which ties on my neck and thy works. 

The loop extenders still makes the string in the area around the ear. 

General_Grant

Sncjw said:

I have contacted work to ask them. Awaiting response. I don't go to many events so this dress was bought purposely for it.

The masks I wouldn't wear at the wedding reception as not required to.
I have tried bandada which ties on my neck and thy works. 

The loop extenders still makes the string in the area around the ear. 

At work do you have to wear a mask or simply a face covering, "mask" being shorthand for the latter?

What does your fit note say regarding what you can or cannot do?

Undervalued

General_Grant said:

Sncjw said:

I have contacted work to ask them. Awaiting response. I don't go to many events so this dress was bought purposely for it.

The masks I wouldn't wear at the wedding reception as not required to.
I have tried bandada which ties on my neck and thy works. 

The loop extenders still makes the string in the area around the ear. 

At work do you have to wear a mask or simply a face covering, "mask" being shorthand for the latter?

What does your fit note say regarding what you can or cannot do?

Exactly.

If the "fit" note is because the doctor feels that the OP needs to recuperate after surgery then fair enough. As said earlier, whilst going to the event could be reasonable it could also easily be misunderstood so needs handling with care.

I cannot believe the mask issue is insurmountable.

OP, take care not to give your employers the impression (maybe wrongly) that you are doing all you can to go the the event whilst doing as little as possible to go to work.

Kadel27

Buy a visor or get the clips to hold the mask under ur ears so it's doesn't irate the stitches 

Sncjw

I am awaiting oh to Contact me about going back to work with a different kind of covering.

I have to wear a mask no ifs and buts. They know I want to get back to work when I can. It's purely where the stiches are that's the problem.

I can wrwr a bandada on my neck in other places. But even clips and buttons for the strings will cause it to rub on the area.


I have been sleeping alot the last few days but today has been a better day. I am building up the stamina and also going to do some work from hom on Thursday and Friday if I can manage even though its not needed.