Help needed urgently!!! I'm off sick from work with a four week sicknote from the doctor for stress and depression. Caused in no small part by my boss who is a bully and a complete control freak.
She keeps ringing me and demanding that I complete certain tasks for her and that my husband fetch and carry things between home and work.
Is she allowed to do this and if not how can I stop her?
Every time the phone rings I have a panic attack I need help!
2007-01-11 22:45:11 · 35 answers · asked by thecat 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
to answer the query, my husband doesn't ! he has a job to do too, unfortunately at the same place!!!!
2007-01-11 22:52:49 · update #1
She absolutely cannot do this, it's worsening your condition.
If you've been certificated by a doctor and you've reported in sick according to your company's policy that's the end of it until your certificate runs out and you're due to return.
If you have a Union, join it now.
If not contact your Personnel department or Head Office and explain the situation - they need to be aware that if she doesn't back off you'll lodge a grievance against her for harrassment.
I'd also recommend telling your doctor so it gets put in your notes just in case you need evidence in the future.
I had a boss like this once when I was too young and inexperienced to know what to do so your situation makes me furious.
Your boss is a control freak who is using the little power she has to make herself feel better and look bigger; in reality it makes her look pathetic.
Your husband needs to stand up to her if you don't feel able to. I'm a bit bemused that he's ok with this.
Failing that, email me her phone number, I'll put her straight!
Take care love
x
2007-01-11 22:59:41 · answer #1 · answered by frenziedmonkey 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A decent boss would only ring you at home to ask how you are and to wish you well. As for telling you to do certain things for her via your husband, either you're off sick or you're not! If she insists on getting you to do something (and you're fool enough to do so!) then make a right dog's dinner of it, and then when she complains remind her that she has a medical certificate telling her that you are unfit for work and she therefore has no grounds for complaint. As for your husband acting as go between, tell him either to stop doing so, or send him away to stay with a friend for a few days (or at least get him to tell your boss that!) and tell her that he won't be available to run messages for you/her. Alternatively tell her you're going away "convalescent" for a few days so contact will be pointless.
Of course, when you're better, tell her to shove her job up her own bottom - and remind her that it will therefore join her there, because that's where SHE is by the sound of it!
Mind you, remember it's still YOUR fault for putting up for it all in the first place!
2007-01-11 23:06:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've got a sick-note, then you are entitled to have that time off.
Tell her you can't do any work right now because you're off work ill. She can't force you and, as a boss, she should be understanding.
There are laws anyway to protect people. My advice would be to phone the disability rights commission where they'll be able to tell you all your rights.
2007-01-13 08:25:15 · answer #3 · answered by Pat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You CAN'T be this foolish! My god, stop answering the phone! I laugh at people who do this. I have more fun frustrating these people than anything. I just look them straight in the eye and just repeat the same things over and over again. "Sorry, I am on medical leave right now, you will have to get someone else to cover for me." I just give answers that are slightly related to the question and watch them get more and more impatient with me. Pretend you don't understand what is expected of you. Take a long time to do something, go past the deadline, then ask basic questions over again.
Or just act stupid enough where people stop asking you to do things, but not dumb enough to lose your job. People who are good get more work piled on them it seems. Incompetent people are allowed to slide by.
Or better yet, unplug it and have everyone you know just email you and have you call them back. After your boss gets the highly annoying answering machine message and crappy song 10 times, she will give up, while having nightmares about that song ringing in her head.
How about posting your bosses number on Yahoo! Answers, and people from all over the world can call HER and bug her! LOL~
2007-01-11 23:01:48 · answer #4 · answered by Bono's Bug-Goggles 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If this is the stage you have reached then the present work is not so important then your health. What do you do when your clothes are old and torn and dont fit you any more? Simply throw them away ... similarly if your boss dont understand and not ready to accept your state of mind and that too at your time of need just blow away the job for time being ... may be disconnect the phone for few days ... take rest. You and only you can shread that stress and depression with some help from doctors and medicines ... try to be relaxed. Think of all the other good things you have ... think of people who love you so much ... go spend some time with them. Soon you will be better ... then may be join other job. Till then keep yourself busy in any other activities or hobbies you may have.
Help yourself!
2007-01-11 22:58:08 · answer #5 · answered by abrokodabro 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No she's not! You've been signed off work by your doctor-that means that you are required only to rest and get better so that you may return to health and work. Her calling you and demanding you complete tasks for her and have your husband fetch and carry things between your work and home is hindering your recovery. Next time she calls,tell her in no uncertain terms that you are on sick leave-NOT AT WORK. Her constant calls are delaying your recovery,and you shall make an appointment with your GP and explain to him what's going on. If she doesn't leave you to recuperate,your sick leave would most likely be extended.
2007-01-11 22:55:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe she should be contacting you especially if you have provided her w/ a doctor's note. Maybe you should have your doc call her and explain that she needs to stop contacting you. Also, can you look for another job that is less stressful? That helped me when I had a boss that was down my throat all the time and I was much more relaxed after quitting. Good luck!
2007-01-11 22:52:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hello hun,
I work in the care industry. I know that if your off sick WITH a doctors note then your boss shouldnt be contacting you. Only time she should ring you is when your note runs out and to see if your returning yet or not. Also my best mates sister works in the legal sector of work related issues. Contact one of the following, they will be able to advice you on what you can do about this:-
Employment Law Advice Centre LTD
01604475500
Legal Workplace Unit
01686610684
ACAS Helpline
08457474747
2007-01-12 09:32:41 · answer #8 · answered by Mystic Magic 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In a word no. She is not alowed to call you while you are sick. I take it you have a dr's sick note? Once this is sent in you are off work due to illness as cerified by a Dr. The company can after a period of time ask you to see a company dr, normally if they are paying you full pay, not SSP. However in terms of work you can not and must not be asked to do any work, You are incapable of work as stated by your DR! Even if your employer does not belive this, they have to take your word for it!!!! I know as a manager I got shot as a knew one of my girls was not actually ill but out shopping! I had her in the office the following day, then got shot by HR! unless I can prove ie I caught her, I cant say anything! Also one of managers on another site got in major trouble for doing what your boss is doing! Speak with your HR people if it persists!
2007-01-11 23:11:36 · answer #9 · answered by djp6314 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, she is allowed. I see these answers above she is not, which surprises me. You go and read your contract. It should be there written black on white that employers are allowed to check on employees state of health when away from work. The way she is doing though, seems more like harrassement, which she isnt allowed to do. I suggest you get in touch with Personnel Dept. Odds are she is known in the company already for her way of management and. if her boss doesn't manage their staff the same way, she will be told off. However, if he supports her, you are in trouble.
2007-01-12 02:19:44 · answer #10 · answered by ladysorrow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋