Can I get sacked for this?

momoyama

I should also have mentioned going to Occupational Health. They are (nearly always) your friends.

MoradoJess

That is horrible treatment, I would have thought they would want you away if you were ill. I don't think people in hospital need extra illness being passed to them.

maninthestreet

The arrogance of an NHS hospital manager stating that there cannot be ANY genuine reason for an NHS employer calling in sick beggars belief.

Mrs_Ryan

thanks everyone.

Yes, Im in a union. I did receive a letter about it and I do remember being told it was a formal meeting. The union rep knows about it and there is real dischord about the whole process at work - everyone says the same thing, no-one wants to ring in sick due to the whole process. I rang and spoke to one of the other staff nurses today who told me not to worry, will also have a word with one of the deputy ward managers when I get back.

I think there is only one exception where sickness is not questioned - in the case of diarrhoea and vomiting where you arent allowed in but the powers that be still dont believe you! I was quite upset actually at my meeting as I was made to feel like they thought I was faking - despite the fact I had a copy of my sick note and my discharge letters from hospital to prove why I had actually been off.
They did say if someone has a long-term condition then they will do everything they can to help (I do have one actually, its just unfortunate than none of my conditions have fallen under it) but in the same breath she went on to say that she wants no sickness in her hospital!!
Cant win really...

Wanno

Hi Mrs Ryan
I'm not sure you have anything to worry about here. It is usual in the NHS to sign a return to work form with your manager where you discuss whether you are fit to return yet, should you be referred toou that you Occupational Health and hoepefully to advise you that you shouldn't be working bank shift temp agency work during you paid time off. This usually just with your Line Manager and can be the forum to raise that they think that the sick absence from work is high and highlighting that they will be monitoring any future absence from work.

I would suggest you speak to your Line Manager to advise that you can be referred to your NHS Trust's Occupational Health team. They will be quite clear about the duties you can and can't do with your broken foot. If they say that you can undertake duties only whilst sitting then this is what you should ideally aim for. If you really can't then I would advise you get a GP note to show what the injury is and the extent of the movement etc.

HR disciplinarys are long and drwn out and in my experience, people are very rarely sacked for anything relating to sickness, and if they are it is for taking excessive leave for conditions that wouldn't ordiarily require it, or gross misconduct for fraud relating to sickness etc. You certainly wouldn't be subject to any of this because you have an injury and a hospital admission.

HR/Line Managers should be seen to have a hard line on sickness but not at the expense of staff coming to work when not fit to.

Anything formal within your Trust can have a union rep or a friend to sit in with you. Any further problems pm me and I would be happy to help.

woody01

With ANY disciplinary hearing or interview you are entitled to representation.
Usually a colleague but DEFINITELY a Union Rep if you have one.

Mrs_Ryan

Thank you Wanno - that advice was really helpful.

Come to think of it there is someone on our ward who has not only took the mickey with ringing in sick but shes also been reported and spoken to several times for bullying and shes still there, so I suppose I shouldnt worry.
I dont do bank shifts as Im full-time and have to look after my partner outside of work time, so I dont have that problem, thankfully.
I was advised to take a week off and have been clear about that, I have also explained I dont wish to do this as I dont want to let them down, but also its to do with this sickness thing. Problem is, the ward I work on is very much hands on personal care, so there's basically very little I can do without having to put pressure on it, also there was a very high chance that I could actually do further damage (some of the patients hit out or stand hard on your feet) so really with everything considered going in was a really bad idea.
Im going back on Thursday, will speak to someone then.
In the meantime, thanks everyone for your advice - much appreciated!

Jomo

It's absolutely disgraceful, people shouldn't be made to feel guilty if they are legitimately ill. That happened alot in one of my old jobs, still to this day I don't feel right when I call in sick but I know that it's better to phone sick than go into work spreading whatever is up with you!

It is probably just a back to work interview which is a good thing, it is supposed to help you in getting your health back...not a disciplinary. But it sounds as though this person is abit of a bully and should take a course of somekind to improve his/her management skills!

onlyforboards_2

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I had my meeting the other week, 6 months after the sickness happened, and in this six months I had had no absence at all. My ward manager was fine with me as she knows my circumstances, but the hospital manager was horrible basically saying she doesnt believe that ANY reason for calling in sick is genuine and that she doesnt want people calling in sick in her hospital.

Lol, does your community hospital have meeting rooms, internet, public photo copiers fax machines and phone lines so the patients can carry on working as they get treated?

What a bully!

BillTrac

What is it with some people? If this woman thinks that people don't get sick then she has her head too far up her own a**e! My S-I-L is like this. She shouts off about people being off sick, and then she takes a week off sick, and swans off to her apartment in Spain!!

I haven't had a days sick since 1998(then only because I broke my arm and had no choice as in hospital for three weeks)and before that it was another ten years,(probably get swine flu now......lol), but I can appreciate that when people are sick then going into work is not an option.

Take it higher