Sick Pay confusion

Decyfa

Hello all.. having a few problems at work

Basicly last week I was off work sick. The Monday was a lieu day i had booked but had agreed to come in because my line manager wasnt sure he'd be in because he wasn't well. I woke up Monday morning sick and phoned in sick suprised to find my boss had infact turnt up for work. Cue the 'tutting' 'f-sake' right snotty fashion. I consulted NHS Direct who advised me that I had contracted a Virus and that I should stay away from the G.P and vunerable people due to it being contagious.

Tuesday I had my mother phone in for me because I'd been up most of the previous night being sick and feeling feverish and the same thing happened on Wednesday to which she left a message stating I'd not be in for the rest of the week. So for Thursday and Friday I didnt phone in sick because as far as I was aware they knew I'd not be in rest of the week.


Anyways onto the problem...

I came back to work today only to recieve alot of atitude from my line manager basicly throwing his toys out of the pram. The Store manager was alright about it had a joke but asked if I felt better. The Dep manager was also more concerned that I was fit to return to work.

Before I left yesterday afternoon I had my back to work interview. Now in 4 years I've hardly been off sick and I'm not that familer with the whole process. But the Dep Manager had two problems; on both counts he said I'd not followed correct procedure. First of all he said that I had to phone in sick myself and not have my mother phone in..Eventhough I'd explained that I was bedridden with a fever and sickness. Secondly because I'd not phoned in Thursday & Friday I'd not been paid for those two days eventhough again under medical advice I was advised not to come in till 72 hours of being clear of the sickness and them being told that I'd not be in for the rest of the week on the Wednesday.

Ontop of this during the whole process I was made to feel guilty about being off sick. 'It was tough we struggled with 4 staff off sick and another 6 on holiday' etc etc. He then said he'd be within his rights not to pay me for the whole week. To be honest its left a really sour taste in my mouth and my Dad is convinced they cannot dock my pay in this fashion nor is it required to call in sick everday. I'm just looking for a little guidance.

woody01

Did you provide a sick note from the doctor?
If not, you are required to phone in each day.

Also, regardless of your fever, it's up to you, not your mother to call your boss.

They are well within their rights to not pay you for the Thursday and Friday.

SandC

Well in my opinion they are indeed being a bit snotty, but most company policies state that you should ring in each day of sickness. I don't see why it's a problem having your mum ring in if you are very poorly, you at least had spoken to someone in person previously.

Unfortunately they are quite within their rights to withhold pay for the two days as stated.

If I were you I would just let it go on this occasion.

There is nothing further they can do from a disciplinary point of view but you will know for future to follow the procedure to the book so they can't ever penalise you again.

It does suck when some employers have such a bad attitude doesn't it?

woody01

It does suck when some employers have such a bad attitude doesn't it?

Not as badly as when the employees do.
When will people realise there are certain criteria to meet with regards to sickness.
Also, why is it that so many employees treat their workplace as if it was a charity and stamp their feet when it doesn't fall their way?

Vader123

Couple of points :

1) If the rules or the policy states you must ring sick everyday, then you must.

You need to keep your employer in the frame as they may need to backfill your post or get someone into cover you. The only way to know this is to ring in everyday.

Plus things might be happening at work (lost the key to something) or a customer might have rang and said they left someting with you (or emailed just you) so you need to keep in touch.

Plus there are things that might affect you happening in your absence. Meetings being arranged, things changing you need to know.

You'd be suprised how many employees complain when they return to work from illness and complain they have not been kept up to date!

2) I think it was quite lousy that your mother rang in for you!

There are only a few conditions that prevent someone speaking (and listening) on the phone.

What about those people who live alone and don't have anyone to help them, I think you need to look at yourself long for that one, reflect and move on.

Vader

Decyfa

woody01 wrote: »

Not as badly as when the employees do.
When will people realise there are certain criteria to meet with regards to sickness.
Also, why is it that so many employees treat their workplace as if it was a charity and stamp their feet when it doesn't fall their way?

Hold on I'm not stamping my feet about anything. I was told one thing at work and came home to be told another thing by my old man. I didn't want to go into today and make a fool of myself.

I can own up to making a mistake and after sitting down with the managerment today and finally getting my hands on a handbook. I now know the procedure. As it stands I spoke to them both today and they are overturning it on the grounds that given my sickness record (1 day off sick in last 18 months) that I'm hardly abusing the system.

To be honest its a little silly that a 20 year old man has his mum phone in for me and again I can admit to making a mistake

I actualy came out of the meeting with a newfound respect for both of them. Thank you for the replies though

System

also seeing as you were off for less than 7 days you should be able to self-certify