Going to the races while on sick leave.

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twofor1

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My GP put me on a 7 day course of antibiotics and said I should be fine in 10 days but to take two weeks off and gave me a 2 week sick cert, I am due back in work next Monday. My employer is paying me while out sick.

I am a lot better now, so I will be going to the evening meeting in Leopardstown on Thursday.

I appreciate it would not look great but I am not concerned about how things look any more, but could there be any basis for disciplinary proceedings if my employer knew I was at the races while on certified and paid sick leave ?
 
Can't imagine. Probably outside your working hours anyway. Part of your rehabilitation. I wouldn't worry about it (unless you work for the Tote).
 
I’m now a boss. I wasn’t always, and used to be an employee of several employers. I’ve learned that it’s best not to burn bridges.

If an employee of mine was off on certified sick leave for two weeks and I saw them at the races, during that leave, at the very least I wouldn’t be very impressed. An employee out for that length of time, depending on their duties and number of employees in the firm, can be very disruptive for the business. Whilst I’m not sure I’d go down the disciplinary route (as there is, after all, a doctor’s cert to rely on as a defence), I would certainly hold it as a black mark against the employee and proceed accordingly in general terms.

Whilst you say you’re not concerned, you are concerned enough to ask the question in this forum.

Before you go the races, think of the following:

1. There is always a risk of disciplinary process. Regardless of the likelihood of the process being instituted, or the success or otherwise of the end result, it’s not a pleasant experience for anyone, least of all you.

2. Are you happy to remain working in an environment where your boss perceives you as a bit of a chancer (if you are caught at the races)?

3. Think of consequences down the line. Ultimately, you’re likely to leave this job and will likely require a reference. Are you happy to risk a disciplinary record and/or a less than favourable reference for the sake of an evening out?

4. When promotions, bonuses and pay rises are being considered, don’t think for a second that this kind of thing won’t come into the equation when decisions are being made.

I’m not judging, and I know you might not care that much now about how your outing might be perceived if it came to light, but be careful how you proceed.

I’ve been an employee who has left one or two jobs earlier in my career on less than favourable terms, only to end up having to contact the former boss for some completely unforeseen favour or other (eg reference, confirmation of employment, forms to be signed). There’s nothing worse than having to come back to an old employer, years after you’ve left with your tail between your legs looking for something important that you need from them.
 
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No you are perfectly fine. The certificate covers work only. You do not need to be at home in bed to qualify for a sick certificate.

Your doctor, I am guessing, is worried about a slow recovery if you return to work too soon. Even if you go to the races you will probably be wiped out afterwards but you can rest. Usually on antibiotics you start to feel really well after 24/48 hours but infections are nasty and you need time to rest and recuperate.

The issue with work is if you go back to work they expect you to be 100%, and do 100%, and they expect you to come again the next day and do it all over again. You have nothing to hide by being off work sick so go to the races.

If your employer says, Hey 2for1, you were out enjoying yourself Thursday night but couldn’t be bothered to come to work Thursday or Friday so I am going to dock you 2 days pay;

all you do is say “My doctor certified me as unfit for work for 2 weeks which is why I did not attend. I am perfectly happy to attend a company doctor to allow them to determine my fitness for work, and I give permission for the company doctor to get records of my recent illness form my GP. “

If they do follow up tell the company doctor you details, let them contact your GP, who will say “2for1 had x infection. I prescribed y treatment. In my professional opinion 2for1 was unfit for work for 2 weeks”. The company doctor will then report back to your company and say “I agree with doc A that 2for1 had an illness that prevented him from attending work until same date as Doc A. The company doctor will not reveal to your company the nature of the illness or the treatment and for a simple thing like a nasty infection will not disagree with your GP.

If they refuse to go down that route you work for a not nice company. Remember no one at work should ask you what you what the nature of your illness was.
 
twofor1 said:
Very possible, a few in the company including my direct boss would be frequent Leopardstown attendees, hence my question.
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If you meet them do not be embarrassed, if they ask how you are, “Improving thanks, looking forward to being back at work Monday”.

One incident of illness should not cause waves, sure it is disruptive, but so is getting covid and self isolating, so is going on holidays, so is maternity, parental, paternity, leave. So is being call up for jury duty. All of these things happen to companies, it is part of being in business.
 
Johnno75 said:
1. There is always a risk of disciplinary process. Regardless of the likelihood of the process being instituted, or the success or otherwise of the end result, it’s not a pleasant experience for anyone, least of all you.
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As a boss, you should be aware that introducing the fact that someone attended a race meeting while off on certified sick leave is only going to end badly for the employer unless you have a qualified opinion stating they were fit to work. An employer who allows staff to return to work before the end of a certified medical leave is taking a risk. We insist that anyone wanting to return early submits a new medical certificate stating they are fit to return.
 
Leo said:
As a boss, you should be aware that introducing the fact that someone attended a race meeting while off on certified sick leave is only going to end badly for the employer unless you have a qualified opinion stating they were fit to work. An employer who allows staff to return to work before the end of a certified medical leave is taking a risk. We insist that anyone wanting to return early submits a new medical certificate stating they are fit to return.
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I never suggested introducing anything. I even suggested that a disciplinary was a non-runner. I’m giving some real-world advice here. Common sense.
 
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Johnno75 said:
And pray you don’t meet your boss at the races! The question really is whether you’re fit for work. If you’re fit for the races, you’re probably fit for work.
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And hope he does not have any accidents etc... because insurance cover is usually restricted to necessary activities if you are on certified sick leave.
 
Legally you are fine to attend the races. Would I do so myself if I was in your shoes? Absolutely not. Not a chance in hell I would and as Johnno said, risk sullying my name and reputation within the company and possibly afterwards also.
 
Johnno75 said:
2. Are you happy to remain working in an environment where your boss perceives you as a bit of a chancer (if you are caught at the races)?
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You are on very shaky ground here if you think someone on sick leave cannot do a normal everyday activity like attend a social function while on sick leave. There are many medical conditions that would prevent you from attending work but would still allow you to go to the races. Your attitude towards illness and work are all wrong.

Two examples:

Your staff member has an accident at work and breaks his leg badly. Four weeks later you see him being pushed around the race track by his mates. It will be months before he is fit for work.

One of your staff members is back to work after 12 months maternity leave. She goes out sick, rumour had it she was in hospital even. You pass a restaurant and see her enjoying a meal with her family. Her sick cert says she won’t be back for months.

Is your attitude towards them both the same or are they both chancers?
 
Clamball said:
You are on very shaky ground here if you think someone on sick leave cannot do a normal everyday activity like attend a social function while on sick leave. There are many medical conditions that would prevent you from attending work but would still allow you to go to the races. Your attitude towards illness and work are all wrong.
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Look, say what you want, but being off on certified paid sick leave and being seen at the races whilst so certified just isn’t a good look and can be damaging to one’s career. Regardless of the law, rights or wrongs, or employees’ rights.

(BTW, I wouldn’t call going to the races a normal everyday activity).

As regards my attitude, thanks for your views. But it all comes down to perspective. And I’ve given mine, as an employer. I would be unimpressed if I saw someone out socialising whilst being officially unable to work.
 
blanketyblank said:
Personally I would be mortified if my boss saw me at the races while on sick leave! I wouldn't risk it
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Why would you be mortified? Is it that the illness is embarrassing or you feel you are only sick it you have a broken limb or a high temperature?

What if you had just been diagnosed with epilepsy and your doctor does not want you at work for 6 weeks until the meds start working? Why not go out and about then with your family and friends? After all their support in a very traumatic time is so important.

There are so many reason that you are medically unfit for work and yet capable of doing many other things; you sound like a super healthy person to me, with little empathy for sick or disabled people.
 
Thanks for the interesting mix of responses both for going racing and not going racing.

I would be a well regarded, long term employee. I turn up on time every time. There have never been any issues with my work. I get on with all of my colleagues and management. I have never been issued with any written or verbal warnings. My last sick day was 3 years ago.

I take on board the reasonable arguments put forward from the don’t go posters. But in my case anyway, I can't accept that going racing and meeting the boss could so negatively impact my future as suggested.

I am a good employee who is certified not fit for work until next Monday, if there is no basis for disciplinary action, then I still intend going.
 
Agreed its an awful decision to go ahead and go to the races whilst being "on the sick". Makes me think the OP is a bit dim or more likely being bloody minded & deliberately trying to stir it with his boss and trying to engineer a situation where he is found out, disciplined/ dismissed and then heads off to the WRC to shake the boss down.
 
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