If you have a really bad riding accident, what do you tell your boss?

[saultgirl]

So, if you have a BAD fall, and and injury that prevents you from going to work, what do you tell your boss? If it's going to be just a day or two, would you just call in sick or would you explain the situation? If it was going to involve a cast when you got back to work, would you say it had to do with your horse?

I had a bad crash a couple years back and was not able to go to work the next day. I did tell my boss, but I felt SOOOO much shame, as though I had just called in sick with a hangover.

Would you deal with it the same way if you had a "horse person" for a boss or not?

Employers: How do you feel about someone who gets hurt participating in a "risky" sport and can't work?

[RxCate]

I had that happen.. I fell off a percheron I was re-training and suffered a concussion.

Unfortunately even though I blacked out and didn't remember any of that morning, I somehow managed to take a shower, call my boss and let her know what happened and I"d be late, and drive to work.. as the day wore on and I complained of being in pain they eventually had the receptionist drive me to the hospital.

Luckily for me, my boss is extremely understanding and knew that I was riding in the early mornings before work. If I had called and told her that I had fallen and hurt myself she'd be the first one to tell me to stay home or go to the hospital.

So, to answer your question, absolutely tell your boss what happened and yes, take a sick day. If they have a heart, they would much rather you heal and be able to continue to work rather than possibly hurt yourself further.

[JoZ]

It never would occur to me NOT to say what happened. And if I couldn't work, I would call in sick. Over the years there have been plenty of other folks with broken legs from skiing, or backs "out" from a rough game of baseball or basketball.

[Invested1]

Wow, it wouldn't even cross my mind *not* to tell my boss.

Are you taking vacation days while not going into work? Then what differences does it make why? Do you have to justify it?

I really do appreciate that I have a great boss so it's hard for me to even imagine your position. :lol:

[Ambrey]

I don't know, what would you tell your boss if you slipped in the shower and got a concussion? I think there's just generally something embarassing about injuring one's self ;)

My mother in law fell playing tennis and was in the hospital for 4 days, while my sister in law whose favorite recreational activity is ice climbing never gets hurt. You just never know ;)

[SaddleFitterVA]

When I broke both arms I let my boss know as soon as I was undrugged and remembered that I needed to call in. I spent 2 nights in the hospital (not exactly sure why on the second night) but I went back to work by Friday...

They were awesome and worked with me. Got me a handsfree for my phone and had a temp in once or twice so that she could type for me. Luckily I was working on something that was a lot of walking around and coordinating at the time...and I carpooled with my husband anyway.

The rest of my injuries have all been go to work w/ crutches or bruised up injuries.

[Ibex]

I live in a very sports-oriented area... there's always someone around on crutches from a skiing/sailing/running/snowmobiling/ultimate-frisbee/hockey/soccer injury...

[Sneekers]

I broke my ankle last year on the last Saturday in July. I had some work that absolutely needed to be done on Monday morning. After spending hours and hours in the ER, I went home with a temporary cast and made arrangements for a car service to bring me to work. I arrived earlier than usual. When he walked past my desk as we said good morning to each other I told him I needed to speak with him for a minute. He expected me to go into his office, but I said he needed to come to my desk. When he walked over, he looked at me and I swung my chair around for him to see the cast....then he noticed the crutches! I told him I slipped in the mud while walking my horse. Of course everyone assumed that took a fall. I did the work that needed to be done and took the car service home. I was out for 8 weeks and came back for the final4 weeks the cast needed to stay on. No one had a problem with it.

Who cares how it happened? An injury is an injury. If someone breaks an arm or a leg skiing or playing football or whatever way it happens why should it be any different from a horse related injury? Better to be out and active (where there's always the risk of injury) than a couch potato!

[DairyQueen2049]

Or it could even be a car accident that gave you that horse shoe shaped bruise on your chest - not.:eek:

The truth is always the best, imo. :yes:

[arabhorse2]

You're hurt and out of commission. What does it matter how it happened?

Being around and riding horses is inherently dangerous. But then, so is driving/being a passenger in a car.

I don't see why anyone would think they'd have to lie about how they got hurt, or feel guilty about it. Hurt is hurt, regardless of the reason.

The only things your boss wants to know is, when are you coming back to work, and is it work related which would involve workers compensation? ;)

[IronwoodFarm]

Sneekers said it very well.

As an employer, I don't screen prospective employees for their recreational activities. In fact, I don't think an employer can ask questions about what an employee does in his/her spare time unless there is some work related reason. Heck I am not allowed to ask if someone has children or owns a car in the job interview.

I don't have any issues with someone calling in sick based on an injury sustained outside work. That's what sick leave and even disability insurance is all about. I don't see any advantage in being untruthful about a horse related injury. Most non-horse people are impressed with falls anyway.

[trubandloki]

Add me to the crowd that does not understand why you would simply not be honest to start with.

I also am honest when I have to leave early for the vet or farrier. It is my PTO to use as I wish and as long as my work gets done in a timely manner no one really sees it as an issue.

[bird4416]

Honesty is always the best policy. What benefit would be derived from lying? I'm not getting it.

[Pirateer]

This is why they make sick leave!
I can't say that I have had an injury that left me unable to work (bad injuries were while not working) but if it was bad enough that I couldn't drive due to painkillers or...whatever, or I couldn't sit, etc, then I'd just tell them.

Its not considered a "high risk" sport that would increase your insurance or anything. And unless you had a naughty pony and did it a LOT, I can't imagine anyone would care.

[caradino]

i also don't understand why you wouldn't tell the truth?

in any case, yes it's happened to me and yes i told my boss!

"hi, fell off a horse and broke my nose, won't be in tomorrow."

or,

"leaving early today, threw out my back and can't exist without wanting to cry because it hurts so much. need to go to the doc and get some drugs."

if your boss isn't understanding of reasons like that for missing work... you need to get a new job.

[MyGiantPony]

Well...we tend to get very competitive about who can come up with the most elaborate story.

Usually ninjas are involved. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[citydog]

All they *need* to know and are entitled to know is that for whatever medical reason I cannot work for however long and how it might interfere with my work.

[MunchkinsMom]

I sort of get the OP's point, years ago I worked at a very small family owned company and the boss was like Jeckyl and Hyde, never knew what we were going to face minute to minute with him.

I got badly rope burned at a horse show on a Sunday, and could not uncurl my fingers, so I called in sick on Monday morning. He was pissed and didn't have the good graces to be quiet about it. Not that I cared, and he could not fire me for it, accidents happen, it could have just as easily happened walking my dog for heaven's sake.

So, no, I never lie about it, and it actually makes for some good stories in the office. I am a never ending source of entertainment with my animal antics.

[ryansgirl]

Absolutely I tell them - why lie :confused:. I wrecked my knee and had to have surgery - missed three days after it happened and then missed another week once I had the surgery. Not to mention PT appointments and dr appointments I had to go to. Thankfully they know horses are my life and are understanding (I work in civil engineering - not exactly horse related but they know where horses stand in my life :lol:).

No idea why people won't be honest - harder to keep track of lies and the stories behind them then it is to just tell the truth.

:)

[Fairview Horse Center]

well ...

I had a military person boarding at my barn a few years ago, and she said that if she got injured, she needed to make it not look like she was injured falling off her horse. She said they would not cover her for a horse related injury.

I was totally shocked.

I have heard of companies excluding high risk sports.

[jengersnap]

As a person with coworkers who break their ankles painting the interior walls of their living room and toes tripping down a pair of stairs, I feel much prouder to say I'm sitting on a hugemongous fluffy pillow because my horse and I parted company after a bolt at full gallop down the beach. :lol:

Nope, I have no qualms about telling anyone about the really bad ones. I do get sheepish about the upteeth toe I've broke on the legs of the bed though.

[Dispatcher]

Where I work, you do not have to give a reason for calling out "sick". Nor is management allowed to ask you "what is wrong with you".

Personally, I would tell my manager the truth about why I was going to be out of the office.

[Go Fish]

I've always been honest and have only missed work once with a horse-related injury. That being said, I worked in a high-powered law firm and they didn't take kindly to any time off, especially one caused by a horse. They were quite vocal about it. I think I would have had better luck if I'd said I slipped in the shower.

I was able to work from home, so that mitigated their fury, somewhat.

And, no, I don't work there anymore! :winkgrin:

[jen-s]

I'll tell work what happened without hesitation, but that doesn't mean I'll tell my mother the full story.... She knows enough not to ask for details. She learned that many years ago. ;)

[Calvincrowe]

I try to be honest with my "boss". As a teacher, taking time off for being sick is like being punished--sub plans SUCK. So time consuming and disruptive to the learning continuity. That being said, I had few years where I seemed to always be hurt-- broken collar bone, back surgery, foot surgery, various boo boos. My principal and co-workers started giving me a ration of crap about my "sport"--trust me, most folks don't get HOW you get hurt riding a horse, after all, don't you just sit there?

Now, I'm a tough old bird--only missed a day with the collar bone and 2 days with back surgery. I worked for months on 2 vicodin a day--those were good months ;) with 7th graders.

[dmj]

my boss rides as well - she completely understands :)

[gieriscm]

I am very up front and honest with my boss and HR if I get hurt. I also keep enough vacation and/or sick time in the bank to cover me until the short-term disability insurance coverage starts, should it be needed.

[SuperSTB]

What would be worse is if you *work* in the equine industry as a groom/exercise rider, you get injured on your own horse, and your equine-job-Boss STILL gives you a hard time!

Anyway, I think it depends on what kind of job you have on whether you need to explain details or not. If it's a minimum wage job... I'd just leave it to "I was in an accident" and let them speculate whether it was car or horse or whatever.

Most office jobs, it's easy enough to manage with a sports injury. There's usually someone hobbling around on crutches every couple months or so around here.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

Actually, I get the OP's point. I worked at a law firm where they would have had fits if I had missed for any injury from a "hobby." Work was your life and nothing should get in the way (including Valentines Day NIGHT or anything like that)!

I once called in sick with the flu and my boss said, "well you don't sound sick I need you to work." I said, "Look I'm puking, I don't have a head cold." I stayed home, although I don't know if the retribution workload was worth it.

Using your vacation time/sick leave was "unofficially" frowned upon.

[Huntertwo]

It is really no one's business why you are out of work for a day or two.

No matter what the reason, I would always say "I wasn't feeling well." Period.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

Using your vacation time/sick leave was "unofficially" frowned upon.

Actually, come to think of it, so was not working until at least 10 at night, not working on Saturday and not working on Sunday afternoon/evening. Or even thinking about having children. Mmmmm.
Of course you don't find that in the employee handbook.

OP--a big crash = doctor's note and that is helpful. No "faking" it there.

[ASBJumper]

I was not embarassed or uncomfortable in the least telling my boss last September that I had been kicked by someone else's horse at a show and had a fractured leg and would be out for the week, and then I said we'd have to discuss accommodating my leg brace when I got back to work. She was totally sympathetic and very concerned. She even let me change my work hours to match my bf's so he could drive me in and pick me up. :yes:

Heck, I sat my boss down last year and asked her if I could please work half days in June cuz I'd be doing foalwatch at night. I was going to take the mornings off (vacation leave) for approx. two weeks around her due date, but I didn't want to set the dates in stone too far in advance in case she didn't show any signs or looked like she would go later than planned. I also informed her that once the foal was born I would have to take the next 3-4 days off work. She totally understood (again) and excitedly asked me to please send pictures of the foal to her and everyone at work once it was born!! :D

I think my boss actually lives vicariously through me.. haha! :lol:

[Lori B]

I wouldn't lie, but of course I understand why people might feel that telling the truth could be costly. I think that's because we know that riding is a dangerous sport, and it's a choice, that others can sometimes have a very disapproving view of the risks involved, and not be inclined to just say 'Well, all sports can be dangerous..." and take things in stride. Some folks have jobs that are so demanding of them personally that engaging in a sport that you know could put you out of the office for a couple weeks is like saying "I am not 100% there for my job." (I DON'T have this view, I just know people who do.)

[greysandbays]

There's a big difference between saying:

"I had a accident and broke my leg. Doctor says I can't work for x-number of days, but with this/that/the other thing adjusted at the office, I should be back whenever."

and

"You know my wonderful horse Pookums (whom I love very much), well he KICKED me yesterday (he NEVER does that). I was just leading Pookums out of the barn for turnout in the paddock after our ride (did I mention that I looooooove Pookums very much?) and he whirled around and KICKED me!!!!! Now my leg is broken in however many places, the surgeon put in however many plates and screws to put it back together. OMG, it hurts sooooooo bad. I don't know what to do. I probably won't be able to ride for FOREVER now. I'll miss riding sooooo much. Oh, BTW, I can't work for a while."

[Rebe]

A few years ago I sustained major concussion in a fall, despite the approved helmet I was wearing. I ended up in the ER with a broken arm and about 8 hours of memory completely wiped out (I remember leaving home, then running back in to grab a bag of carrots, then nothing until I began to get my brains back at the hospital).

When I called work on Monday, my boss was out of town, but it turned out that he had a complete meltdown. He told his assistant to tell me that I was never allowed on the horse again - even though his own wife and daughter had horses (different breed & discipline from mine, though). The assistant wisely advised him that his response was illegal, and that she would tell me no such thing.

It turned out that he had two concerns - one was loss of work time from me, the other was increased costs of health insurance for the company. So I guess we were allowed to have insurance, but not use it? And I showed up for work all week, where I just sat at my desk and dozed while everyone else tiptoed around me so they wouldn't wake me up. I was at least able to pretend to be functional when the Evil Boss came back the next week, by which time he had calmed down and shut up.

[Kementari]

Count me in with I can't imagine NOT telling my boss. Of course, my boss has recently had surgery and PT for a skiing injury, so he wouldn't have much room to talk. :lol:

I've once had a horse-related injury that made some of my job duties (at the time) difficult for awhile, and I told my boss what had happened and worked on other projects till I was healed (well, healed enough ;)).

If I was in some huge impersonal company where I didn't discuss non-work things with my boss, I'd probably just say I'd had "an accident" or something - but then, in that sort of situation, I'd not be giving out details of whatever illness or injury I'd happened to sustain. Thus far, I've not worked in such a place (even in the big places, I've had the sort of relationship with my immediate boss where we chat about home and family and weekend plans and such), though, and would feel silly keeping the injury mechanism secret when I called in sick.

[BuddyRoo]

May 20 2007

I fell off on a Sunday and required a plate and 8 screws in my arm. My right arm. I'm a programmer. I'm right handed.

I texted my boss from the ER. I emailed him the radiographs.

I couldn't have surgery until 2 days after my accident. I missed about a week of work and then even at work, couldn't type well for weeks. I did know how to mouse with my left hand quite well since I'd had CT surgery on the same hand the year prior.

No one here gave it another thought. Roo got hurt. Period.

No different than when another coworker broke HIS arm falling off his motorcycle (which by the way, you have a lot more control over than your boyfriend's horse!!!!)

No different than when another coworker had knee surgery playing bball with his kid.

Etc etc.

I had no issues. But I'm maybe in a more laid back environment. And I helped start this business. They couldn't exactly chuck me out over an accident.

[tangledweb]

In a professional workplace I think all the details are superfluous. "I am sick/injured. I will not be able to work until X/Y/Z. Do you want a doctor's note?" is all they need.

Exactly what fluid is coming out of what orifice, or what surgery you need to correct damage from clumsiness, stupidity, bad luck or vengeful gerbils is nobody's business except yours and your doctors.

[sidepasser]

I opt for the truth but then again I am on salary where I work and have short term and long term disability insurance plus lots of vacation time. That said - there was a memo sent out about a time off in the event of death in the immediate family that left me COLD and thankful that I was not an hourly employee. I don't think they would be thought of kindly or employed long term if they had more than one accident during their tenure.

Not everyone has understanding bosses nor the caring culture that some are fortunate to have.

[glitterless]

I'd tell my boss. If I worked for someone who might decide that it doesn't count as a paid sick day or whatever, I'd probably tell them I'm sick or injured and leave out the details.

I've had to do this in the past and I've always been honest. I wasn't particularly close with the one boss who I worked for when I injured my back, but she seemed to understand and put me on light duty for awhile and insisted that I was careful to avoid further injury.

My current employer is like a friend. I'd definitely tell her. Another employer I had was actually someone I'd bought horses from in the past. I don't think I had any riding accidents while working for her, but I did have to take a day off once for a calving incident. She also had had cattle at one time and told me to let her know if I needed any help ;)

[sidepasser]

I was a paralegal for a legal firm and when I went in to have my twins by c-section, my boss showed up with a COMPUTER and printer and told the doctor that "since she's just laying there, I guess it's alright for her to do some work".

Needless to say, the doctor chucked the boss out on his arse and BANNED him from the floor. lol. Law firms are pretty much ruthless (at least the ones I worked for - hence I no longer work in the legal field) and I was given MUCH grief about missing 7 days of work (I did have major, life threatening complications with the twins) until HR stepped in and told my boss(es) to "lay off or be sued".

Just sayin..lol I totally get the grief factor from the legal firms - unless it is one where there is a sole proprietorship or such, I believe that one is held personally responsible for not turning in enough billable hours even if one were to die. (probably deduct those hours for the month from your life insurance).

[Ajierene]

well ...

I had a military person boarding at my barn a few years ago, and she said that if she got injured, she needed to make it not look like she was injured falling off her horse. She said they would not cover her for a horse related injury.

I was totally shocked.

I have heard of companies excluding high risk sports.

I'm not sure if this person was military or reserve, but this has never been my experience, both in my own (reservist) experience as well as horse people I know that are active duty. Most likely this is a supervisor's attempt to 'scare' the boarder into getting rid of horse (hence injury) or not trying to use horse/injury as excuse to call out.

I had a pony flipped over with me and I twisted up my back. I was worried I broke my back so I took an ambulance ride to the emergency room. I called into my military unit, since I was due there a week and a half later for training, to tell them I could not participate. I still had to show up. When my Chief saw me hobbling around he commented that I really looked injured. Apparently some people were under the impression that I faked or exaggerated to get out of the training. That was understandable, though, because it happened before - not with horse injuries but 'car accident', 'fight', 'slip and fall', 'cough cough, cannot make it...'

On the other hand, a former boss was rather upset when I asked for two weeks off to participate in some military training that was not 'mandatory', but was very important part of my job....I wanted that AND two weeks of vacation? Plus I did have mandatory two weeks of training to do. So, apparently I was asking for six weeks of vacation since obviously when I go to military training, I'm not working, we are lounging around.....
....and yes, this boss had full disclosure on my military status before she hired me.

[Stacie]

well ...

I had a military person boarding at my barn a few years ago, and she said that if she got injured, she needed to make it not look like she was injured falling off her horse. She said they would not cover her for a horse related injury.

Military personnel can get disciplined for allowing themselves to get hurt enough that they need to take leave. My husband told me they can be charged with damaging military property. But that was ages ago.....

[Ajierene]

Military personnel can get disciplined for allowing themselves to get hurt enough that they need to take leave. My husband told me they can be charged with damaging military property. But that was ages ago.....

That does not include falling off a horse, getting in a bike wreck or even getting into a fight.

It does include doing something on purpose to get out of something such as military training or deployment. Such as, in my scenario - if they could prove that I flipped that horse to avoid the training exercise (it was an inspection), then I could be disciplined. But only if it could be proven that I did it on purpose.

Another scenario is one of my unit members who basically picked a fight off duty and ended up in the hospital. He was not charged. Now, if he had been active duty, picking fights every weekend and missing work due to that, it would be a different story.

I think the boarder's immediate supervisor was just trying a 'scare tactic'.

[5]

The only time I couldn't make it in for a horse related accident also required an emergency room visit so they knew anyhow.

[HorsesinHaiti]

I could hardly hide a bad fall from my boss - we're the hospital and he's one of the surgeons!

Howver, we are in something of a crisis situation for the rest of the year, and with downsizing there is no one left who can fill my role. If I let the pony put me out of commission for 6 weeks my STAFF will wring my neck. So there are plenty of things I would like to do for him that I have to let someone else do instead.

[GettingBack]

I had a bad horse related accident that put me out of commission for 4 days about a month after I was hired. I told my boss about it (how much I told him is completely debatable given my state of intense druggedness at the time) because I thought, my god, I do not want to give the impression that a simple flu would knock me out this bad this early. I was sore for a long time and hobbled.

By now, they fully expect me to have some injury, goofy story, or something dealing with the farm. When I lost the horses (well, and found them) I missed a pretty critical meeting - and they ended up understanding after I explained the risk to people if my horses had actually been on the road.

Ahh well, such is life - if they didn't understand that, I wouldn't be working there - I'm over being a corporate slave. My tradeoff is - if I work nights and weekends when you need me, then a few days for a nearly broken neck ought not to put me out of the running for a promotion (or lose me my job!)

[saultgirl]

Wow, interesting to read all the replies.

As I said, the one time I was hurt too badly to work the one day, I DID tell my boss what happened. I didn't actually get any crap for it, but I felt guilty, like it was something I had done to myself and I let others down because I was indulging in some risky behaviour. I know it always looks bad when you miss work -- and I thought afterwards, does it look "less bad" if you say you are "not feeling well" (which would NOT be a lie) because people are expected to get sick from time to time and generally that's not considered to be your fault?

Yeah I guess I overthink things.

By the way, I do work in a law office. How interesting!

[Angel Undercover]

I wouldn't tell them. Not to say I would lie, I would just say "I'm injured, cannot work for x days, here is note from dr". I fractured my hand last winter and couldn't work for several weeks and my boss FREAKED. I work in a bar, so use of both hands is pretty much required, not to mention the fact that I was loopy on painkillers. When I sliced open my hand while working where I passed out and needed 20 stitches they made me work the next day. When I came in and said I couldn't they tried to write me up and I wasn't given any shifts for 2 months. Did I mention this accident happened because I slipped on the wet floor where the manager had removed the wet floor sign? :eek:

[jengersnap]

When I came in and said I couldn't they tried to write me up and I wasn't given any shifts for 2 months. Did I mention this accident happened because I slipped on the wet floor where the manager had removed the wet floor sign? :eek:

You do own this bar now, right? :mad:

[Lady Counselor]

{snip} So, if you have a BAD fall, and and injury that prevents you from going to work, what do you tell your boss?


The truth. If you get hurt, you get hurt. It doesn't matter how.

[eclipse]

I've always told my bosses the truth & they've all been great about it! They see pics of my horse in my cubicle and living in a fairly horsey town think it's pretty cool that I jump. In fact, my last boss even came to watch me show one day, THAT was pretty cool of him! If I do come to work hobbling or with bruises they just say "horse again?" and chuckle. :D

[Angel Undercover]

You do own this bar now, right? :mad:

The manager was fired, partly due to that. However, the new management wasn't much of an improvement. :mad: I'm currently speaking with the Labour Board, apparently they have quite a large file!

[DeeThbd]

I've had different bosses where I work, and there was one who I had to pick and choose what I told her(story below).
As for the others, they've all been awesome. They "get" that my horses are my kids, just like their kids are to them. When I had to put my little mare down (I happened to have taken a sick day for something totally unrelated, and then got the call from my BO that she was in a very bad way), I got several condolence cards from my coworkers, and even hugs and pats on the back - I am the only horse person on staff, and I was REALLY touched that they "got" it.
The boss who I would have had to lie to? At my mom's funeral visitation, she took me aside and asked me about the status of some of my work - and it was NOTHING that another coworker couldn't pitch in on with their eyes closed. Fortunately I kept my head about me and simply told her what she needed to know.
Dee

[BarbB]

I broke my hand once riding, well, actually..falling. I had to take a day off to see an orthopod and get a cast the day after the fall. I told my boss why I was taking off, it didn't occur to me not to. My job at the time was considered high risk and nearly everyone I worked with also participated in some sort of sport on their time off...injuries happened...at work and away.
I did catch a boatload of crap when I went back to work....mostly coupons for riding lessons. :lol:

That's the only time I have taken off work for a riding injury.

[Therese]

Military personnel can get disciplined for allowing themselves to get hurt enough that they need to take leave. My husband told me they can be charged with damaging military property. But that was ages ago.....

...um, kind of... Military members can be disciplined for allowing themselves to be injured through their own negligence. It takes some really dumb moves for a commander to take action. You've got to go through some legal hoops to get it done. The only time I've personally seen it done was a young guy who got a concussion falling off a motorcycle...did I mention it was the 3rd time? ...and he didn't have his helmet on....and he had not taken the required safety course...or even had a driver's license? He got a Letter of Reprimand, which is a black mark in his record...for a couple years. In any case you don't take leave, you're put on quarters till you're fit for duty.

Me, when I broke my finger a couple of years ago, I called in and let my boss know I was going in to sick call and would come in the next day with a blue cast (gotta go blue - AF!)

I can't imagine not telling my boss of an injury. Lying or covering up is worse than getting hurt in the military at least. Though I can understand some civilian folks not giving the details, i.e. boss, I've broken my ankle and won't be in for a few days per Dr orders. Don't have to explain how you broke it.

[carp]

I don't have to worry about telling the boss. He was a bronc rider in his younger years. :cool: I busted myself up one weekend. I showed up for work on Monday morning, ashen faced and drugged to the eyeballs, with my arm in a sling. I passed the tough cookie test with that. He gave me no grief for the subsequent rehab appointments.

[Twisting]

I'm in the military, and above posters are correct, injuries are only punishable if they occur due to negligence. I had a friend counseled when she was sunburned so badly she was hospitalized. The burn was totally preventable by simple use of suntan lotion/a t-shirt.

That being said , in the Air Force, you can also get into trouble if you participate in hazerdous sports without filling out and taking a hazerdous activity briefing/waiver. My bosses didnt' think horseback riding was nearly as dangerous as say, skiing or surfing (listed as hazerdous activities) To cover myself, I filled out a from and wrote the briefing myself. The forms are to ensure you're aware of the danger and how to minimize it.

Failing to fill out these forms can result in a "Line of Duty Determination" being made. The Air force can find you negligent and refuse to pay for your medical expenses. Also, failing to use safety equipment listed in the briefing properly can also lead to a decleration of negligence. However, if you have a Haz Acty waiver on file and used all the regular safety equipment the Air Force will pay for all medical expenses and let you have as much time off as you need to recover.

[SonnysMom]

I had one supervisor talk to me about how concerned upper management was that I was missing time off work due to my horse. I was having physical therapy for my knees. Ironically riding actually helped my knees and was not the cause of the knee pain. The knee pain was due to my knee cap not quite riding where it should be. By strengthing my quads it kept the kneecap where it belonged and no more pain.
When I told him that he was quite apologetic.
Therefore I am really careful about horse related appointments and injuries. I only admit to the ones that I really need to admit to. The minor stuff such as back spasms caused by falling off I just put off to I'm not sure what I did- must have slept wrong/ did too much gardening etc...

[kookicat]

I posted something like this a while ago. Here's the thread:

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=171045

[Mtn trails]

I told my boss both times I got seriously injured from a horse. Why lie? The second time when my horse bashed me in the face and gave me a beauty of a shiner there was hardly a way to lie about that one because when I could finally open that eye and returned to work, the evidence was still there, for a few weeks I might add.

My boss would just laugh and say, well okay, see you whenever.

[quietann]

I was out for 5 weeks after a bad fall in which I did enough damage to my collarbone that I have a metal plate holding it together for the rest of my life, broke 4 ribs, and had a collapsed lung. I didn't have much choice but to tell my bosses; in fact I am pretty sure that my husband told them, since I was out of commission entirely for about 48 hours. Luckily my employer is very good about this stuff (call it a strong union; I am not actually part of the unionized staff, but what goes for them in general goes for the rest of us... except the non-union folks didn't get a pay raise this year.)

However, when I changed work groups within the same university, my new boss was quite relieved to find that I'd given up jumping. I think he would have liked me to give up riding entirely, but given that he commutes on a bicycle -- in BOSTON -- there was no way he'd do that.

[ybiaw]

My boss has flat-out told me and my coworkers that he doesn't really need to know specifics or dramatics (i.e. the "sick day cough") when we call in sick to work. He just needs to know that we're sick and taking a sick day.

A couple years ago, though, I took a bad fall and had a concussion, and I called in babbling about how I took a nasty spill and hit my head, and couldn't drive because I was dizzy, but I'd be available via phone and email all day, blah blah babble babble babble.

It was so out of the ordinary for me to be a babbling fool on the phone calling in sick, that he ended up calling me several times during the day just to make sure I was ok! What a guy! :D

[cssutton]

Until all of our customers went to China, I had two salesmen working for me.

We sold heavy complex equipment, so the factories were occasionally late with delivery.

My salesmen were always coming to me crying "What am I going to tell them. They will be mad. What can I tell them?"

My answer was the same every time. "You might as well tell them the truth. The truth is going to come out eventually anyway."

The next time equipment was late, they would be back crying the same song.

Tell your boss the truth. The truth will eventually come out anyway and if you have not told him the truth, you look like a jerk.

CSSJR

If we do not wish to lose our freedom, we must learn to tolerate our
neighbor's right to freedom even though he might express that freedom
in a manner we consider to be eccentric.

[slc2]

You're a lot better off giving as few details as possible. I think give enough information that the time off seems reasonable - that's it. 'I broke my ankle playing sports, I'd like to take two days off'.

[vacation1]

Treat it like anything else at work - reveal as little as possible, always bearing in mind that whenever you speak to Boss, the person you're talking to is in fact a salesman who is trying to get you to buy a product - and that product is something you have no genuine need for, ie, the belief that Boss's professional advancement (and, if Boss is the owner of the biz, his/her personal profit) is your primary goal, interest and responsibility. I wouldn't say lie outright, but would just assume that "I broke my arm, can't come in till Wednesday." is sufficient.

The boss who I would have had to lie to? At my mom's funeral visitation, she took me aside and asked me about the status of some of my work

Oy.

[DarcyW]

getting hurt while riding, um...falling off, is much more noble than some other excuses!

My major accident resulted in 3 months of bedrest and then another 3 months of limited work....I received full disability pay for the entire time. I realize I was very lucky to have such good insurance.

[snbess]

I did it 13 years ago. Got my arm broken in a horse accident (was kicked) and called in. Boss at the time, happened to be a horse person, too, so she understood. They weren't able to operate for a couple days, so I went in the next couple days with a splint on my arm and then took off a couple days for surgery. No shame. People get hurt all the time...falling off a roof, mountain biking, etc.

I did come off same horse ten years later the day before I had to leave for a work trip. Thankfully, I wasn't hurt...just a little sore. Boss (different boss) asked how I was and I said I "got bucked off". He mis-heard me...gave me a hard look...then said, "say that again". So I did...and realized what he thought he'd heard in place of "buck". So I added at the end..."off my horse". lol

[Cancara]

I'm a pretty honest person, so when I cracked all my ribs and couldn't get to work one day I confessed I had been wrapped around a tree and in the morning was unable to even get dressed.

I got VERY short shrift. I was told that I would have to make a choice between my job and riding. I'm afraid I looked the boss in the eye and said there wouldn't be any choice to make in that case.

They never brought it up again and in fact I was never off due to a riding accident again, until I left voluntarily for a better paid role 6 months later. But that day shocked me and brought it home to me, I think I will probably be far less straigh in future!