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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Saffron Otter

Woman calls out colleague for posting pics 'having fun' on social media while off work with stress

A woman has called out a colleague for being off work sick whilst sharing photos to social media of her self 'having fun' after a debate ignited online.

The woman claims her co-worker is 'loving life', despite spending the past five months off work due to stress.

She says she would be 'ashamed' to be not working but then 'plastering fun' online.

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Her comments came after Mumsnet user MakeMineALarge1 took to the platform to ask if it was 'crass' to flood social media with pictures of what you're up to if you're off with sickness.

She wrote: "I work in a place that currently has high incidents of stress and we have up to 20 people off with work-related stress.

"Now I get going for walks, out for lunch etc, can be great for you, but is it crass to put pictures on of all your weekends away, decorating your house and nights out?"

'Is it crass?' (Mumsnet)

User hardyloveit responded: "Yep we have one off atm for stress, has been for 5 months now but her SM (social media) is full of her loving her life - going out drinking and going on holidays etc.

"I'm not a massive SM poster anyway but I'd feel a bit ashamed being off work and then plastering how much fun I'm having or what I'm doing etc".

Others agreed, with Mumsnet fan BiscoffAddict saying it would leave a "sour taste" in people's mouths if they saw a work colleague galivanting whilst off sick.

She added: "It shows a real lack of self awareness actually. Just don’t share stuff on social media."

Another follower of the thread, BlusteryLake, told a story of their ex-team member who said they were too ill to take the half-an-hour journey to their office, but then later posted about a six-hour drive to Cornwall.

They added: "Even if there was some valid reason for being able to do that but not the drive to work, it left a very sour taste in the team's mouth. Most unwise of him".

'I'd feel a bit ashamed' (Mumsnet)

However a number of others disagreed, and highlighted how people should have more compassion when it comes to sickness and mental health.

User operatinginstructions responded: "I don't think I would judge if they're off with work-related stress tbh."

Account Clocktopus argued it's a matter between the person, their doctor, and their manager.

They continued: "It's between them and their doctor what duties (if any) they're able to undertake.

"When it comes to stress and other mental health difficulties it can be beneficial to temporarily remove a source of stress so that there is one less thing on that person's plate.

"They've signed off work not life and if socialising, exercising, going away, etc is aiding their recovery then they're well within their rights to do so."

Commenter Ghoulette says they hate the notion of having to sit in a dark room until you get better.

They said: "They are off with stress and obviously doing things that are helping them de-stress. It's a good thing.

"Hate the notion that if you are off sick with whatever, you have to sit in a dark room til you feel fit enough to work for an employer who is quite clearly judging you because of it."

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

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