Visiting site when off sick

Cockett166

Are you allowed to attend your place of work when on LTS just to gossip with colleagues?

maman

As far as I know, people on long term sick leave are encouraged to keep in touch. Obviously to gossip in a known break would be the most appropriate time. 🤔😉

FlorayG

I think that depends on why you are off sick and your employer; for instance, if you're in recovery from cancer it might do you good but if you are off with a mental health issue the employer may see that as you being not as poorly as you say you are.
Also I think there may be insurance considerations of you being inside the premises when you are off sick - not sure though

fatbelly

I used to encourage this when I was supervising staff, particularly those off for mental health reasons.

Unfortunately, others senior to me came up with spurious legalese reasons why this was not good.

And that is why I never rose to senior management.

Brie

There should be no insurance reasons that mean someone must stay off site while signed off.  Managers that claim this don't know what they are talking about.  

Obviously if one is off with a spinal injury but comes skipping in through the doors to dance about and chat with people when they are supposed to be working - that won't go down very well.   But managers need to talk to employees and importantly other colleagues often want to know for themselves that a friend is getting on ok or at least not faking being ill.  

TELLIT01

If the absence is for work related stress then I would suggest they shouldn't be going anywhere near the workplace.  Other than that, speak to the line manager and arrange a time to go in.  Don't just roll up and disturb people when they are working.  If there is an official break time, go then.

EnPointe

Cockett166 said:

Are you allowed to attend your place of work when on LTS just to gossip with colleagues?

Depends  on the site  to some extent and the nature of the work 

 Brie said:

There should be no insurance reasons that mean someone must stay off site while signed off.  Managers that claim this don't know what they are talking about.  

there are absolutely are  reasons why someone who is not  fit for work should  not attend  certain types of workplace and  why  people who are off with certain  causes or types of sickness should not be attending the workplace 

tealady

Indeed. I had a colleague who had shingles and was advised to stay clear until advised by GP they could mingle.
Measles is highly contagious so I would expect any employee to stay at home.
However one colleague who had leg surgery used to drop in (on crutches to a 1st floor office, no lift!) and they considered it part of their physio (often brewed up for others while visiting). Then they did a phased return to work.

LightFlare

Too many details missing.

Perhaps the OP will return and fill in the gaps

EnPointe

tealady said:

Indeed. I had a colleague who had shingles and was advised to stay clear until advised by GP they could mingle.
Measles is highly contagious so I would expect any employee to stay at home.
However one colleague who had leg surgery used to drop in (on crutches to a 1st floor office, no lift!) and they considered it part of their physio (often brewed up for others while visiting). Then they did a phased return to work.

exactly this 

also some work places  have controlled access and  egress and  there needs to be a good reason why someone who is not working, ( even if normally  cleared to be in the area)  attends  site 

TELLIT01

I was off work for 6 weeks after knee surgery.  My leg as in a full length brace which meant I was deemed a 'risk' in the event the building had to be evacuated.  I did visit a couple of times but only for short periods.  The office was on the 2nd floor so I could only get there by using the lift.