Forum: workplace.stackexchange.com
Tags: <professionalism><united-states><sickness><time-off>
Title: How to handle an injury that happened outside the workplace?
Question: I've had a relatively mild concussion (outside of work). Ideally, I'd like two or three days to recover before jumping back into work, but I've already burned most of my sick days and would like to save my vacation.  It's been a day or two since the injury; I am at work, but I definitely feel like I shouldn't be here.  What's the best way to handle this?  Note: Company is 50 or more employees.

Answers:
sents: text: but I definitely feel like I shouldn't be here.
text: Then don't be there, burn the rest of your sick days and vacations if needed.
text: Anything else you decide to sacrifice your health for saving holidays/sick days/whatever, and that's just not a great idea.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/66740/Tymoteusz Paul
score: 136
sents: text: Ideally, I'd like two or three days to recover before jumping back into work
text: Unless you are a medic you are not in a position to determine the days off
text: you should need to recover from a concussion (nor to determine it was a "mild" one)...
text: It would be better for your health to consult a Medic and let them determine the days you really need , and actually take them.
text: As other answers say, your health is paramount and sacrificing it for saving holidays is not a good idea.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/73791/DarkCygnus
score: 57
sents: text: This is probably country specific but in the UK you should be able to take the time as sick leave for however long you need, provided you have a doctors note.
text: "Taking Sick Leave (.gov)"
text: The idea of having a limited number of sick days has always seemed ridiculous to me, but I'm guessing
text: that's sick days you don't have
text: a doctors note for
text: so I would suggest you get a GP to sign you off from work.
text: If you need more days for a different illness later in the year do it again.
text: Assuming you're US: In the US, there is no requirement that businesses offer paid sick leave to their employees.
text: The only thing they must do (provided the business employees more than 50 employees) is to allow staff unpaid time off for medical leave, or to care for a family member.
text: How does sick leave work in the US Which would imply that your company can't stop you taking time off if you are unwell, you just may not be paid.
text: How many days of paid sick leave is an American worker entitled to Concussion can be really serious and if you are still experiencing the effects days later
text: then I would suggest seeing a doctor in any case.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/105591/Bee
score: 23
sents: text: You should follow medical advice for recovery.
text: The timeline may be more than a couple days, and it might involve not looking at screens or reading (including using Stack Exchange!).
text: You should look into short term disability insurance.
text: It might be included in your employment benefits.
text: If not, consider buy accident/injury/disability insurance to protect yourself in the future.
text: You should use whatever options are available for paid time off, including vacation.
text: Your company may require that you exhaust all those options before taking unpaid time off.
text: The separate of sick leave and vacation leave is inconsequential when you need time off for your health.
text: At some companies, those two categories are combined anyway.
text: You should probably not be reading and writing things on the computer when you have a concussion.
text: This can hinder your brain's healing and make the situation much worse, for much longer.
text: Restated from #1 because it's so important.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/102400/HappyGilmore
score: 5
sents: text: I’ve been through this exact scenario in Canada - mild concussion.
text: Don’t rush back, it’s probably worse than you think.
text: I talked to my employer, they were nice enough to give me a week off full pay and then a week off half pay.
text: The alternative is to apply for short term disability if your insurance has this.
text: That’s kind of a pain, as you need a bunch of paper work and stuff that you really don’t want to have to think about when you have a concussion, but it will provide a portion of your pay while you recover.
text: The extension of that would be long term disability - which if your insurance covers it would cover you if you were out for a few months.
text: The uninsured option would be unpaid Ed leave.
text: Talk to your employer, they will likely be understanding and work with you to help you recover.
text: Check your benefits plan, you might have options there.
text: If not take unpaid leave and recover properly.
text: Even mild concussions can have weird side effects and issues if not cared for properly.
text: Don’t push it!
text: Hope you feel better soon!
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/113724/Mike Howard
score: 1
sents: text: By 'outside of the workplace' do you mean you were walking into work from the parking lot, and got an injury?
text: If that's the case that's a workplace related, depending on jurisdiction.
text: It may be covered under your companies policies.
text: If however you mean you got a concussion at home, haven't seen a doctor, and need to know what to do
text: , I think you've proven you need to go see a doctor because you're not thinking straight.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/107739/J.Hirsch
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
You shouldn't be at work and should use any options for time off you have available. 
The first step should probably be to discuss the matter with your employer as they may be able to help. You should definitely seek medical advice to ensure that you make a full recovery, and if you need time off work, then be prepared to use whatever means you have at your disposal. Details in your benefits or contract may be able to help you further.