urgent-dismissed while sick?

bul15

Can you be dismissed while you are sick, with a valid doctors note?

My probation period was extended. Now I have been told to attend a meeting on Fri to discuss my performance. If I don't attend they will dismiss me.

Help!

kazwookie

How long have you been there?

bul15

Thanks for such a quick response.

I've been there nearly 6months. I was off for 2 weeks, but the doctor signed me off for another 1 week.

I've been thinking about this. I don't really like the company and also if it is prepared to do this then, its not the type of company I want to work for.
I have worked for 10+ years and never been in this situation before.
I guess I am worrying because I am the main earner and the job climate we are in. Also, I guess I won't get any benefits since I would have been dismissed.

DCFC79

bul15 wrote: »

I've been thinking about this. I don't really like the company and also if it is prepared to do this then, its not the type of company I want to work for.

another firm would have done the same as they're entitled to do so.

smileylondongal

bul15 wrote: »

Can you be dismissed while you are sick, with a valid doctors note?

My probation period was extended. Now I have been told to attend a meeting on Fri to discuss my preformance. If I don't attend they will dismiss me.

Help!

I think you may be getting ahead of yourself - it could actually be about your performance. Tbh, could be about anything at all.

Does the firm have a sickness / probation policy? if so, I'd see if you can get your hands on it before the meeting so you feel confident of an outcome or at least argue your case (though not literally of course).

Jarndyce

DCFC79 wrote: »

another firm would have done the same as they're entitled to do so.

Yes many would, sadly. But if you turn it round, even if your illness is a one off, how do they know that? Why should they take the risk on you in the current climate.

You could of course use this upcoming meeting to demonstrate that your sickness is a one off and that you are raring to return to work, and how much you're looking forward to proiving to them that you're a model employee. Even if you don't want to stay long term, its always easier to find a job when you've got a job and all that.

bluenoseam

Probation period already extended and the meeting is to discuss poor performance - i'd suggest rather than them sacking you for being sick they're sacking you for not being good enough at your job.

dmliverpool

DCFC79 wrote: »

another firm would have done the same as they're entitled to do so.

Agreed. I think you need to listen to them and address your attendance then leave with a bit about you and gain another job. You may not get a chance to resign as it sounds as though they have made there minds up by extending your probation. It also maybe the case that they couldn't sack you before as you were sick. :cool:

If you have a disability that is different, but they probably view your absence as rubbish as employers know that doctors hand out sick notes like candy. Also employment has changed over the past 18 months and employers can not wait for time wasters.

CFC

bul15 wrote: »

Can you be dismissed while you are sick, with a valid doctors note?

My probation period was extended. Now I have been told to attend a meeting on Fri to discuss my performance. If I don't attend they will dismiss me.

Help!

Yes you can. If you believe your employment will be terminated as a result of another meeting (frankly it looks like it from what you have posted) then perhaps you should resign before Friday. That way you will not have a dismissal to contend with when job searching.

Eton_Rifle

Well you're going to have to go back to work and face the music sooner or later so you might as well go in and get it over with. At least then it's done and you can deal with the consequences.

Your situation doesn't sound good since they've already raised doubts over your performance by extending your probationary period and the absence caused by illness may have catalysed a reaction that was looking for one last straw.

A verbal or written warning is probably waiting for you but what's the alternative - even if they can't dismiss you while you're off sick, you can't stay off work for ever knowing the hammer will fall when you return.

Take the next few days to marshall a defence, come up with strategies to improve performance, work any help or training you need for your job that you have perhaps not been given and can suggest ... then take a deep breath then go in and deal with it.

Get the stress over with and move on from it.

Writer11

bul15 wrote: »

Can you be dismissed while you are sick, with a valid doctors note?

My probation period was extended. Now I have been told to attend a meeting on Fri to discuss my performance. If I don't attend they will dismiss me.

Help!

Good luck. I lost a state job on probation that way. My only luck is I was sick enough to get SSD/I. 6 years later, I'm finally able to go back to work and I'm scared to death