Acceptable length of time off work for broken leg?

Shicky

Shicky

Shicky

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Joined
13 Jan 2007
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2,424
Location
Belfast,Northern Ireland
Hello all,

I recently broke my leg and was advised by the doctor to wait until I see a specialist. I won't see this specialist until next Thursday to evaluate whether I move to a lightweight cast - it was also advised I stay off work at least until this time.

So it looks like I'll be off for at least two weeks and I'm feeling a bit of guilt for this. I work in software so I'm a desk jockey. Has anyone else broken a lower limb? How much time did you have off work?

Going physically back to work at this point seems like a massive struggle as I'd have to arrange lifts or use taxis, I'm pretty much incapable of cooking anything for myself so would have to purchase a few meals. Blood pooling is also quite painful so I need my leg raised pretty much all of the time, I think having it raised in the office is possible but would be far from comfortable. Working from home is of course an option but quality/quantity of work would drop I imagine due to singular screen and working lying down, I'm also in a decent amount of pain from the breakage and ligament damage. My girlfriend is helping me out at the minute a huge amount but I live alone which adds a lot to difficulties.

So as above, is there an acceptable length of time to be off? I'd be lying if I said I was fit to work as normal but I do feel guilty being off when I'm not exactly sick. It's my first lower limb break so I've no past experience.

Thanks
 
Take the time off as your doctor has advised you. Guilt shouldn't come into it. As you said, you can't cook your own meals, you're in constant pain and you need to be in a bed. I'm not sure why you'd feel guilty for not being able to work, that's why companies don't run at capacity and managers get paid to manage things when a team member is out.
 
I broke my leg and was in a full length cast. I had two days off work and then worked from home for two weeks. Then returned to work but the commute was horrible and my leg really hurt by the end of each day.

I'm an IT desk jockey too.

But take as much time as you need. I went back too early and it hurt.
 
You're fairly seriously injured. You are in no state to work properly. You have been advised to take some time off by a doctor.

You could ignore expert advice, struggle to do substandard work and either delay your recovery or cause permanent damage to yourself. You don't even really know how badly injured you are (hence the need to see a specialist).

Or you could take the expert advice and heal faster to a better standard.

The former does no good to anyone, really. Even if you regard yourself as a pointless thing that exists only to serve your employer, it's still a bad idea because it would probably result in you being of less service to them overall.

So what basis do you have for feeling guilty about being sensible and following expert advice that would definitely benefit you and would probably benefit your employer?

You're not throwing a sickie because you feel like it or because you got bladdered and have a hangover. You've got a bona fide medical reason for taking time off.
 
As above, Do what your doctor says don't push yourself too hard you don't want to worsen an injury guilt shouldn't be a worry at the moment your employer can't give you grief on it if your signed off by a doctor then that's the end of it.
 
Always follow the advice of the medical professionals. Your employer will almost certainly not appreciate/want you trying to turn up for work if you are still signed off and may not even want to run the risk of you working from home if there is any risk associated with this.
 
I had a foot operation (first metatorso bone) was told I would be of work for 3 months,told work and they were fine about it,not sure about a broken keg but think it's about 6 send healing time.
You will know more once you see your specialist.
 
When I broke my leg I was off for 6 weeks and then had a two week/half day phased return.

Do whatever your doctor and your companies occupational health service advise.

I don't know where your guilt cones from - your health should be your top priority.
 
There's definitely no need to feel guilty, you've got a genuine medical complaint and therefore a legitimate reason to have time off.

Just think of all the scrotes that either have a mild issue or none at all that cry off work sick for months on end.
 
scorza said:
How did you break your leg?
Click to expand...

this

From what you have described, it sounds like you have had a serious accident, and are barely capable of moving around the house, yet working even if it is just working on a laptop. Don't feel guilty, your injured and it isnt your fault that you can't work (unless it is :D:D, then it makes sense why you feel guilty)
 
Go in you work shy scrounger, then when your injury hasn't healed properly through not resting it as instructed sue the company and live off the money :)

Or, do the sensible thing, take the time off and recover, if your feeling really guilty help out a little (dial into call, help people out a bit, do code reviews etc) but don't try and do a full day or work too hard, its for your own good sonny
 
From what you describe you are in no fit state to be at work let alone travel back and forth, if you are that concerned why not consider doing a bit of work at home?
 
Follow the doctor's and the specialist's instructions to the letter as you want that leg to heal properly.

Talk to your boss and see if there's something your IT department can do to allow you to work comfortably from home until you can safely make your way into the office.
 
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