urgent-dismissed while sick?

Writer11

Eton_Rifle wrote: »

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.

For me it was the stress of being a new mother in a new position that physically made me sick. Who would have thought you could get so stressed you could become physically ill? I didn't, until it happened.

Writer11

CFC wrote: »

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.

I tried that, the employer didn't even acknowledge it.

heretolearn_2

If they were already unhappy with your performance, then probably your absence is just the icing on the cake (or rather, not) as far as they are concerned, and also you haven't been there to show your performance is improving as they want. If they do want to dismiss, you could ask if you could resign instead, so avoiding having a dismissal on your record. But you don't know until you go to the meeting, they may be intending to extend the probation again so you have a chance to go in.

Jarndyce

I think people are jumping the gun here. The OP has not been employed for 12 months so could be dismissed at any time without any meeting. However the employer is holding a meeting, so at the very least it gives her the chance to plead her case, ask for any support and training she might need, and convince them that their sickness absence is a one-off.

How hard she tries to keep her job will depend on how much she wants to keep it, but I wouldn't give up just yet.

whitelabel

From previous expereience in management and HR, yes they can. Most likely (depending on contract terms) it will be on the grounds of incapability to perform and will be classed as a termination of contract rather than a dismissal, so you wont have to say you were "sacked" just that your contract ended, so shouldnt negatively effect jsa claim; or future job applications.
although if you are sick. you can claim for esa until your are fit again to work.