Sign off work because I need gallstone surgery and have a overbooked holiday before I have the surgery

[Herby69]

Hi I'm been sign off since January this year due to gallstones. I'm waiting surgery in June the week I'm back from my holiday to Spain. I was just wondering is it ok for me to go on this holiday I booked a year or more ago if I'm sign of bye my doctor untill i have had the surgery and recover. I have spoken to my union rep and he said I was fine to do so and won't get in trubble with work he said the only u will no get it payed for that week holiday I booked. He said to make sure with your doctor but it should be ok. I do have anxiety too so I think the holiday will help me be less anxious before the operation.

[luthien]

Are you signed off until further notice?

Being signed off means you can't take holiday at the same time; if you're not fit to be in work then the legal stance is you are not fit to be on holiday. That's why most workplaces are happy to rearrange your holiday leave when you're better and back in work. It may be fine and you could get away with it, but should something go wrong or you are unwell due to your op while on holiday so you have to cancel / come back / have extended leave work will take that as misinformation as you were signed off and can ask you to leave.

The union I have found are great in advising you on what you can / can't do but not on what work would / would not be happy with should something go wrong.

You could ask your doctor to sign you off until the date you go on holiday (long term sick as you are at the moment) and then produce another sick note for after; the op recovery, so work sees it as two separate instances with a holiday that's allowed and approved in the middle. That seems like the best idea as it is two separate reasons.