Back problems?

[myvision]

I have a lad working for me that says he has a bad back ok I put him on light duties as he has a doctors note. He is riding his bicycle to work 32 kilometres here and 32 back he says his physio has instructed him to do this.
My question is would a physio advise this?
In my opinion if he can cycle that far he is fit for work but he has the sicknote.
Wool being pulled?

[Fozziebear]

Back pain and problems can be difficult to diagnose. I can't see a physio advising someone to ride a bike to help with a bad back. If you look at the posture when cycling and the bashing you back takes from the seat I'd say it would make it worse. Ask for a letter from the physio explaining the issues, it may help to understand what's up.

[Craphouserat]

I've had two back operations - couldn't stand or sit for too long. Sitting in the car driving or passenger was a nightmare. I learnt to ride motorbikes and passed my test whilst waiting on my first back operation - the position on the bike meant no pressure was being put on the area I had a problem ( double disc prolapse in lower back ). I could have been on that bike all day with no pain.

Clearly motorbike is different from a push bike since no pedalling is involved, however the position he is in on the bike may actually alleviate his pain.

Just my personal experience, hopefully give you some insight. He genuinely may not be pulling any wool.

[petemurphy]

with my back the worst poss thing i could do is bike. physios will say to exercise though to keep the back loose so its not obvious if he's faking.

[TheD]

If you attend a back pain clinic with a Gym. One of the things they make you do is get on a Gym bike as part of the exercise. I would say though that that seems along way to and fro.

[dingg]

if he's in at work how is the 'wool being pulled'

maybe you have trust issues?

[goldblum]

What does your employee do?

[myvision]

dingg said:

if he's in at work how is the 'wool being pulled'

maybe you have trust issues?

He can't do 90% of his job which is manual work and is now just shuffling paper. So the other lads are having to cover him which in turn increases their workload then they see him on a bike and I get the backlash from them.
I can see their point when I fked my back up no way could I have got on a bike but, as pointed out above it could possibly be helping.
(sprinting out the office to take private calls also doesn't help his cause).

[MajorProblem]

If he can't do his job then get rid.

[goldblum]

myvision said:

He can't do 90% of his job which is manual work and is now just shuffling paper.

Does he have a history of time off work through illness,and how long is the doctor's note for?

[dingg]

myvision said:

He can't do 90% of his job which is manual work and is now just shuffling paper. So the other lads are having to cover him which in turn increases their workload then they see him on a bike and I get the backlash from them.
I can see their point when I fked my back up no way could I have got on a bike but, as pointed out above it could possibly be helping.
(sprinting out the office to take private calls also doesn't help his cause).

Hire someone adhoc while he's unfit - don't let him come into work if he has a note, you may have more problems if he subsequently injures himself further whilst carrying out work for you.

good luck with the situation

[c8bof]

As noted above, if you are in any doubt, get his written consent to get a report/letter from his physio / GP detailing the issues / advice, and / or refer him for an occupational health assessment. I wouldn't just bin him without doing these actions first.

[Tannedbaldhead]

I can cycle for miles but can't sit at a computer for more than 20mins without having a hell of a struggle to get up off the stool. At home I sit on one of those big pilates balls when working at my desk.