Emplyee off sick but I think it is not true

thegirlintheattic

purcel wrote: »

To reply, no it is not my own business, but I am her line manager and it is down to me to cover for everyone who is sick , on top of my 40 h work week. She is not the most reliable person, and she apparently is off sick with food poisoning( no, we are not a catering establisment). She said that her doctor advised her to take the weekend off.
I had a meeting with her 2 weeks ago for performance related matters and she wasn't happy about it. She said she cannot quit so she wanted to get sacked. I am following the company's procedures with regards to this but she did said she hates the job. Yesterday was her last day of holiday and she asked for today off as she had her show to go to, to which I agreed. This is why I think she is taking the mick.

This might have been better in the OP. I suggest you keep a note of this and pass it higher up, simply letting them know that the employee has said she wants to be fired and hates the job.

Also, does this mean you gave her today off? In which case why would you call her up even if she is ill? For that matter why report sick if your off? Why would she need to pull a fast one for that matter?

Uncertain

activitymaguire wrote: »

It would not be unreasonable to have daily contact for the first 7 days of absence unless it is absolutely clear there is no way they would make it back to work in that time

The OP has said that he was told by the employee that her doctor had advised her to take the whole weekend off. Given that it would be unreasonable to ask for daily contact.

Unless the OP has some hard evidence that this is not true there is little he can do.

If a doctor has in fact given her that advice it will be recorded in her notes and the firm will come a cropper if they take action.

purcel

mrcow wrote: »

Okay then, you need to lay off her until she coms back and get advice from HR about starting a disciplinary if you think it neccessary.

She says that she can't afford to quit, she does understand that being sacked for misconduct amounts to essentially the same thing doesn't she?

As for her not be able to quit I think it is something to do with her benefits, as she cannot resign but it is ok if she gets sacked, as she was asking me to sack her at the meeting. Anyway, this is a different matter and off subject now.
Thank for your replies, I've only rang her about 7pm, when she rang me to tell me she was sick at around 4, I wanted to talk to her about her rota next week, so I have rang her for a reason, not just to check up on her.

Uncertain

purcel wrote: »

Thank for your replies, I've only rang her about 7pm, when she rang me to tell me she was sick at around 4, I wanted to talk to her about her rota next week, so I have rang her for a reason, not just to check up on her.

And you demanded her son got her out of her sick bed to speak to you about this?

Oh come on, if you are going to lie at least make an effort to sound convincing!

custardy

purcel wrote: »

To reply, no it is not my own business, but I am her line manager and it is down to me to cover for everyone who is sick , on top of my 40 h work week. She is not the most reliable person, and she apparently is off sick with food poisoning( no, we are not a catering establisment). She said that her doctor advised her to take the weekend off.
I had a meeting with her 2 weeks ago for performance related matters and she wasn't happy about it. She said she cannot quit so she wanted to get sacked. I am following the company's procedures with regards to this but she did said she hates the job. Yesterday was her last day of holiday and she asked for today off as she had her show to go to, to which I agreed. This is why I think she is taking the mick.

I had a boss like you
I asked for a weekend off to take my partner to visit family
couldnt get it so had to drive back on the Friday night
had a car crash and ended up in hospital
partner called in sick for me
over the weekend I had numerous voicemails on both lines,email and a letter through my door
hauled into HR on my return (Monday) with them demanding proof of my hospital stay (the injuries to my face and hands obviously being self inflicted)
a lovely welcome back

you are the manager,thats what goes with the territory
interesting you quote a 40 hour week
any managerial position i have held(and many non) have been hours as required
she can self cert for 7 days so unless you have explicit proof otherwise then i suggest you be a grown up and follow your companies procedures
perhaps take the time to wonder why the member of staff hates the job

purcel

Uncertain wrote: »

An you demanded her son got her out of her sick bed to speak to you about this?

Oh come on, if you are going to lie at least make an effort to sound convincing!

She moaned at me 2 weeks ago when she worked 3 days only that she didn't had enough money , so I was ringing her to see if I can offer any extra hours next week to make up for the hours missed. I don't see anything wrong with that.
But when he said she is sleeping, I remebered about her London show booked and that's why I thought. If she would be well enough to go to a show then she should be well enough to come to work imo. I am aware that I have no proof and cannot do anything about it. It was just an innocent quastion guys, like I said my manager is not available so can't check with him. And if she complains about me on Monday, so be it!

Tiddlywinks

ILW wrote: »

I would be tempted to knock on her door and if she is not there post her P45.

Harassment claim anyone?

ILW wrote: »

Nobody is ever too sick to take a phone call. She is taking the mick.

Yes, they are. She may have been throwing up for hours and only just got to sleep - why should she be woken up just to speak to her LM.

activitymaguire wrote: »

It would not be unreasonable to have daily contact for the first 7 days of absence unless it is absolutely clear there is no way they would make it back to work in that time ie broken leg.

Sorry, I must disagree - I think it is completely OTT to call every day to speak with an employee who is off sick.

gibby65

is it by any chance a leading German supermarket you work for? You sound like my wife's boss! My wife had to go into hospital and her T**t boss phoned the hospital to confirm it, We won a grievance case against him though. Tread carefully my friend.

ohreally

Purcel - let your manager deal with the situation, especially if the employee is angling to be dismissed.

Uncertain

Googlewhacker wrote: »

You do give good advice, most I can't/won't dispute but you do just seem to have this bitterness about you against employers which is a shame because it sours your good points.

I have spent too many years seeing badly run small businesses floundering around and devoting large amounts of time fighting unnecessary and uneconomic battles.

Often, a fraction of that time spent in doing things properly would have allowed them to concentrate the rest of their efforts on what they are supposed to be good at.


I'm no psychologist but I suspect they simply want someone else to blame for their own inadequacies when they go under!