boss phones when i'm off sick

jim_walton

I didn't read all the posts so shoot me down if necessary, but when I have been off in the past without a sick note. I rang my employer every morning and told them I wouldn't be in. That way I had the rest of the day to myself!!

wontfallforit

There was a lot of debate about this where I used to work, and we never got to the bottom of the legalities of it.

My old boss used to ring people out of courtesy (!), literally to ask how they are. Some colleagues objected greatly to this, claiming harrassment etc., whereas some were fine with it, and appreciated the interest shown in their circumstances.

Because of the fuss, my boss stopped phoning people when they were sick, unless they'd already made it clear that they don't mind the contact.

So when one particular colleague went off sick (who had previously claimed she had been harrassed for it), and wasn't phoned, she put in a complaint, because of the boss' lack of interest!

Catch-22.

scotrae

When I took on line management I was told not to phone people if they were off sick but then a colleague complained that she felt unsupported. I guess it depends whether the boss is showing concern or asking where everything is, tasks x, y and z were ever done as asked, and when you are going to be back - all in context.

timmmers

I think it's down to the employee. Make it easy.
If you are sick and ring in, it's either something short term but nasty wrong...or something more serious and worrying needing a doctor's advice.

So, ring up and inform them either :-
a) You feel like crap and will be going to bed, you'll ring later to inform if you will be in the next day.
b) You are worried and really ill, and going to make a Doc's appt. ..you will get back to them when you know the full story after the visit.

This means that they have no need to ring you as you're going to do that, they know as fast as you do when you'll be back, and should they ring you they will be likely not get any answer as you'll be asleep or at the doctors. If they ever ask why you didn't answer a call...just say you already told them what was going to happen.

t

BexInLondon

On another tangent, we once had a receptionist who would ring me whenever she sent an email to let me know to expect it. This was very annoying, as the nature of my job meant I constantly monitored emails. The worst part was when she started ringing me when I was on holiday to let me know I'd have an email from her when I returned.

alison999

BexInLondon wrote: »

On another tangent, we once had a receptionist who would ring me whenever she sent an email to let me know to expect it. This was very annoying, as the nature of my job meant I constantly monitored emails. The worst part was when she started ringing me when I was on holiday to let me know I'd have an email from her when I returned.

maybe she missed you and just wanted to hear your voice lol :rotfl:bless

Willsnarf1983

Mr_Falling_Star wrote: »

Good one this..If its short term sickness then you should give your boss a idea of how long its going to be when you first call. If you are a bit vague then I would say its borderline OK to ring you up. However blackbelt Union reps would invoke Article 8 of the Human Rights act (right to privacy) and inform the manager that in their opinion (and lets be honest you probably just read a pamphlet about it) he is in breach of this law by ringing you up. It has been known to work

If its long term sick then your employer does have a duty of care towards you and should check on how you are doing once a month. Caring employers should send a letter offering a appointment or a time to ring

Why is the onus on the employer, the employee is on the long term sick so why not get them to phone the employer?

Will

Bogof_Babe

I thought the "duty of care" meant within the workplace. They are not our mother, they are our employer. It is a nicety if they do get in touch, but not part of their responsibility towards a member of staff who is absent.

Then again, when they do get in touch people complain about that :rolleyes:. Glad I'm not an employer.

dontone

A boss of mine at the place where I used to work actually went out of her way to turn up at people's houses the day they phoned in sick to see if they were telling the truth or not.
She also made someone drive her there too, as, although she had a driving licence, she felt it was beneath her to drive a company van, so she used to get one of the warehouse lads to chauffeur her to and fro.
She only stopped because someone who had had an operation and was still very ill had their doctor write to the MD to complain about her turning up every week at the guy's house every time he put a sick note in.
I think as long as you let them know a rough time scale as to when you are hoping to return to work, then an employer should make one courtesy call then just leave you alone to get better.

pjcox2005

I've got to admit I just don't get it.

If I'm off ill I'll call in sick, normally I may get a text or message from people at work saying hope you're feeling better soon. They may ask if I'm back in tomorrow, especially if I haven't given them an indication. All fine.

If I was a bit under the weather or on holiday and someone called me up with a quick issue then no problem. If I'm in a position to help/not busy doing anything and it won't take long then why not? It helps colleagues out who I would class as friends, and maybe one day I'll need the favour returned to make my life easier. Really not a big deal.

In return, employer treats me with respect, knows I put in the time and effort so is more flexible when I need assistance e.g. days off, leaving early etc.

All in all, fairly simple.