dismissed after advice from line manager

philthompson97

Hi,
From the beginning..........I worked for a high street bank. I was diagnosed with having a gallstone so i advised work i would be having my gallbladder removed and would be off for 4-6 weeks. i was then given my opp date and went off sick. the 1st week i handed in my own personal stat sick pay slip to cover me for the 1st week i was off. when that expired i was expected to get a note from the doctor to ensure i was given sick pay from work. i done this at the earliest opportunity an handed it to my line manager........i then got an infection so went to stay with a friend who was a nurse in london (i live in liverpool). while i was away my manager called and told me that my doctor had dated the medical certificate 5 days short from when it should have started after my innitial stat sick pay slip. i.e. it stated 30/09/10 rather than 25/09/10..............i informed my manager that i was in london and could not see my doctor to get it corrected but he said if i never i would not get my sick pay; i said to my manager that as it is just the date that needs changing, i could do that an fax it back....he said "yes i know". i then proceeded to change the date and sent it back..........i returned to work after 6 weeks as normal, then on the 2nd day after my return to work, i was informed by my manager that i was going to be disciplined for altering the medical certificate and he denied having the conversation with me that i previously mentioned or contacting me for that matter. i had proof he tried contacting me but obviously i cannot prove a conversation.

during HR proceedings i went back to my doctor and got an official note covering the time needed and supplied it to my employer an put it down to a genuine mistake.

i have since been dismissed and the reference showing dismissal has stopped me getting a new job......is there anything that anyone could advise in term of moving foward as i feel i cant get a new job due to this.

thanks,
phil

beedeedee

You really should never have altered anything yourself on an official document of any sort......this can be construed as fraud. I've known people caught out on the most minor of offences - even less than a sicknote. Was this why you were fired - for fraud?

Ihatecameron

Sounds like you might have a case for unfair dismissal, see the CAB for advice.

You should have said to the manager he will have to wait until you see your GP, you would have still got your sick pay on time because it would have been a lot of hassle for him to alter your pay only to repay you when you presented a correctly dated medical cert.

Sambucus_Nigra

Ihatecameron wrote: »

Sounds like you might have a case for unfair dismissal, see the CAB for advice.

I don't think 'Yeah I know' constitutes 'Do you know what, why don't you just amend your documentation, commit fraud and I'll cover it all up for you eh?'.

OP - what the fe.ck were you thinking? One call to the docs, explain the situation and ask them to fax a cover sick note and it would have been sorted. Or just wait for the money in the next pay packet.

Jeez I do wonder about people sometimes.

Ihatecameron

If it was fraud the the OP would have been arrested, correct!

Sambucus_Nigra

Ihatecameron wrote: »

If it was fraud the the OP would have been arrested, correct!

Presumably, that could still happen...no?

Emmzi

"Yes I know" =/= advice.

You forged a document, it IS fraud but not to an extent the authorities will care.

I would dismiss. You work for a bank and honesty is paramount, If you forge a sick note the natrual extrapolation is that you'll add a tenner to a withdrawal slip.. etc.

Ihatecameron

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Presumably, that could still happen...no?

Not if such a thing as common sense exists.

Sambucus_Nigra

Ihatecameron wrote: »

Not if such a thing as common sense exists.

Personally, I think it is common sense to get rid of a fraudster - however if you are so keen on them, why not employ the OP yourself?

DVardysShadow

Sadly, the lesson here is that there are some dishonest managers who are looking for excuses to trip up an employee and get rid of them. Never do anything wrong at the behest of a manager.

Ihatecameron

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Personally, I think it is common sense to get rid of a fraudster - however if you are so keen on them, why not employ the OP yourself?

You keep crying fraud when there was no fraud, a correctly dated cert would have been and was presented on his return to work. The OP is at worst guilty of stupidity in trying to help his manager save time and inconvenience.