Problems at work!!!!!?

Question

I have a disciplinary hearing this afternoon as I am now totalling 5 days sick so far this year. My contract allows for 15 days paid leave, but as my five days are for three separate illnesses I am being pulled up by my M.D. It appears that four weeks off after a major operation is now more acceptable than my 5 days. Anybody else had this problem?

Answer 1

Yes, my partner works for the NHS and has had periods of illness where he broke his foot, sever back pain and food poisoning. He has had a drs note each time but has been told if he has 1 more day off this year he will be fired.

I have the same policy where i work but luckily have not been taken sick yet. We are just told that if we are ill to make sure we are 100% before we come back in cus if we are away for a day, come back and the away the next day that will be counted as 2 separate occasions.

Answer 2

In future as a back up, try and get a note from your doctor if you are genuinly ill. The fact that they are having a hearing about this is pribably due to the fact that they dont believe that you were actually ill. A month after an operation will only be allowed with a medical certificate, and this would not have been given out if it was not justified. In the hearing let them know that you work hard when you are in the office, and that you have done everything in your power to catch up on the back-log created by your time off. Say that this may be stress related and that you prefer to taka a day or 2 off to recover rarther than letting the problem escalate to the point when you make yourself serioiusly ill and need much more time off work to recover. Act humble not defensive and there is not a lot your MD can do...after all, we all get sick, and there is no way he can prove anything. If you are still worried, speak to the Citizens Advice Bureau who will be able to tell you exactly where you stand and what yours and your employers rights actually are.

Answer 3

Do you have a union? If so, then have a word with your rep. If not, then I would sugest that you try to find one on the net or in your town (alot of unions have local branch offices) and have a word (although you have to pay subs to get full representation, any union officer worth their salt will help someone in trouble as much as they can. I know I would. Try Public and Comercial Services/Transport and General Workers). Remember (in the UK) you have the right to bring a freind into any meetings with you. If you are realy worried, you could ask your doctor or another healthcare profesional along.

Don't blow up if they question your motives for sickness. Make sure you know what your sicknesses were on each occasion and build a case for that absence. (UK) Legislation states that the employer has a duty of care to ensure that the work place is safe and fit for the employee, so if it was something at work that caused the illness (bad back from a poor chair or badly designed office space) mention this.

Be constructive, if you had a cold, the employer will say that you should have medicines. Counter this by saying that you did have them, but didn't want to spread deseases to your coleagues (always good for infectious deseases).

It doesn't sound (from what you said in your question) that you will get sacked or anything like that. Be wary of any formal proceedures that may be instituted from this meeting (as this will be where they may get you) but they have to go through an informal proceedure, then a formal one.

Relax, take it steady and you should be fine. If dismissal is mentioned it is out of order, talk to a solicitor about unfair dissmisal.

NB. If this is a recurant problem, and the illnesses were all for the same thing, ask your GP for a letter to your employer advising them of any problems. If the employer asks you to go to a company doctor, I would sugest you definately do it, but get a letter from your GP as well.

Answer 4

I have not. But I thought I'd offer some advice:

1. Have the name/s of any doctor/s you've seen for these illnesses available, as well as dates you were out, times you called to notify, and people you notified. You should not have to dislose the reason for the illness, but it may look better if you do. Put all of the info in a document.

2. Do not get defensive.

3. Understand your company's policy. Arguing whether it is "fair" or not will not help you. In most cases, it won't be changed and you won't look better complaining. Instead, ask questions, like: What am I expected to do if I get sick again?

4. If this is just a hearing, it may be more of a formality than anything else. They may just need to document that it was investigated, and then move on. However, if someone should ever want to fire you, you don't want to leave any ammo in your records. Be as pleasant and professional as possible.

Good luck. I'd be interested in a follow-up!

Answer 5

No as worked for NHS and they have lots of policies and guidlines for this sort of thing. Most places you are entitled up to seven days propr a sick note. In 9 months you have had only three bouts of sickness which to be honest is not to much however your compnay obviously keep an eye on sickness levels and they want to see you to make sure everything is ok. Sit and listen to what MD says before you say anything to him/her. If you are in any doubts about sickness intitlment ask him if their are any compnay policies if there are not he may well just not say much as he should have them in place for everyone to read.
Look at it this way he is MD and has to do something to earn his money and at least it does show he cares enough about his workers to ask for a meeting.It always sound scary being called up to the MD.
My sister had a lot of time off sick which was genuine and becasue it was odd day here and there she was called into head office. She saw the occupational health person first who said she should have come to her first and there would have been no head office call.
Good luck for this afternoon and do not panic.

Answer 6

I also ran into a problem like this...but it was back in the 80's...when I was a working Mom. Between my sicknesses and the kids, I also went over my 'allowed' # of absences. I was responsible enough, that when it was the kids illnesses...I went in to work as soon as Hubby could take over. They still counted those days, since they weren't FULL days of work! I ended up getting a written warning...which meant my next absence would mean dismissal. Luckily, it never happened. By the way, I worked for a hospital, as an Admitting Clerk in the Emergency Room...where I was exposed to alot of sick people. Didn't matter...

Answer 7

I would take this matter to an industrial tribunal for being victimised. If you've been off 5 days this year with sickness that is like one day every couple of months. Why is that wrong? Can you not be ill? Is it better to go into work and spread your germs so that other people get sick too? You are being victimised. Go to the citizens advice beaureu and ask for some advice. It is ridiculous and they can't get away with it.

Answer 8

If you are due to have a disciplinary this afternoon I wouldn't get caught on Yahoo answers! You need to explain - calmly - why you've been off. Don't give your boss any reason to sack you so try to remain cool. Many companies have 'return to work' interviews for people that have what they consider to be lots of sick days. They may be looking for a reason to sack you and you don't want to give them any ammunition if they think you've been pulling sickies rather than being genuinely ill. Get off Yahoo and look like you're a consciouses worker!!!!

Answer 9

It's because you have been off sick 3 times. Companies look at the number of times you have been off sick as well as the number of days each time.
You are better off taking a week off than any time under 4 days.
It doesn't pay to go into work if you are still feeling under the weather, stay home until you are well.
Sad but true.

Answer 10

Yes my company picks up on periods of absence no longer then 2 days.
Icould be off for 1 month and it wouldn't matter. But if i am off 3 times in a month for a day at a time i get pulled in. Work sucks.