I'm ill and my work want me back tomorrow!!!Please help

inkie

In fact, if you have a medical certificate from your doctor, your employer is breaking the law by allowing you to work, never mind requiring to you do so ...

Thats interesting - I wasn't aware of that. I am off sick at the moment due to a foot injury sustained prior to Christmas. We had a general memo round at the same time saying that there are no expectations on us to perform any task whilst we are off work - but then I get an e-mail today from work asking me to go and sort something out tomorrow!

TOBRUK

Thats interesting - I wasn't aware of that. I am off sick at the moment due to a foot injury sustained prior to Christmas. We had a general memo round at the same time saying that there are no expectations on us to perform any task whilst we are off work - but then I get an e-mail today from work asking me to go and sort something out tomorrow!

If your doctor signs you off sick it is his medical opinion that you are unfit to work - this covers you for that period. I wonder ... if you have a sick note and you go in, what happens if you have an accident at work - would you be covered seeing that the doctor has said you are unfit!

Anyway, Bettyboop,
I suggest that you have a good night's sleep (if possible) and tomorrow morning have a lie in. If the phone goes in the morning DON'T answer it - do 1471, and if it is work do not ring back straight away, because you are ill you could be in bed - if you were to answer straight away or call back they might think that you are up and about! I would not call them back until at least 11am, if they think it odd because you have a child - you could say that your little one was in bed poorly as well.

It is terrible that they doubt you like this and it does not help your recovery especially when you are made to feel guilty. Chin up, try not to worry and take care .. hope you feel a bit better tomorrow.

Savvy_Sue

TOBRUK wrote:

If your doctor signs you off sick it is his medical opinion that you are unfit to work - this covers you for that period. I wonder ... if you have a sick note and you go in, what happens if you have an accident at work - would you be covered seeing that the doctor has said you are unfit!

Yup, that is precisely why you shouldn't work if your doctor says you're not fit to do so.

Of course there can be exceptions, a phased return to work etc. After my brain surgery, I had to have a letter from my GP to say it would be helpful for me to work 1 or 2 days per week rather than go back full-time. But without that letter, I couldn't go in to work. And when one of my colleagues in a previous job was off with stress but wanted to come in for odd days we had to say no, she could come in for coffee and a natter, but not for work until her GP said she was fit!

changkra

Bettyboop wrote:

changkra....I'm the only one who works these hours. Its doubtful that he confused me with someone else. I think he is trying to get at me and make me feel bad. He is the type of person who would expect me to make the time up for being ill. I need the job and cannot be without one. I'm going to have to start looking as it's very awkward working for someone like this!

I hope you manage to find another suitable job and soon too. This guy should not be in the position he is in if he bullies staff and as one of your posts did say they have a high turn over of staff this is obviously the reason why. Please don't let him start to knock your confidence, when you go back to work keep in mind it's only for a short time until something better turns up.

ohreally

TOBRUK wrote:

if you were to answer straight away or call back they might think that you are up and about!

A GP has certified her as unfit for work....not activities of life. I often have this come up while representing people with HR managers attempting to justify draconian control policies.Not being fit for work is not a reflection on your ability to carry out the activities of daily living and that includes leaving the house.

rare_stuff

BB you may not have a union but you should find out what the grievance procedure is for making a complaint about this undue harassment.

Recording the messages may be useful, but most grievance procedures would just require a written record.

This boss sounds like a right jerk and sorely in need of some training on managing staff, harassing staff that are off ill is a big NO and he may well be in serious trouble with head office if they became aware of it.

It isn't pleasant standing up to bullies like this, especially when ill, but it needs to be done or he will continue to bully and intimidate you and others.

It's good to see you have so much support here!

Fizog

You are important and your little one.. not your boss, not his company...No one has the right to harrass you at home.
You know you have only had four days off last year so don't be guilty have a good nights sleep and do not go in tomorrow you have been signed off by a Dr. You are not fit for work. If it the bug my son has had vomiting and headaches he took five days to get better.
Take some paracetemol get better then get even... Do as advised and keep record of all communications, go via HR and join a union that's what they are there for. Yes they take a small % of your wage each month but it is worth it when you need someone on your side. Like NOW.
You can't be sacked for being ill unless you are a persitant malingerer who take months and Fridays off repeatedly. Management then have to prove it after official warning letters. http://www.emplaw.co.uk/researchfree-redirector.aspx?StartPage=data%2f046005.htm
Wishing you better

TOBRUK

ohreally wrote:

A GP has certified her as unfit for work....not activities of life. I often have this come up while representing people with HR managers attempting to justify draconian control policies.Not being fit for work is not a reflection on your ability to carry out the activities of daily living and that includes leaving the house.

ohreally, I know what you are saying is right, I was only trying to make things less stressful for her - as her boss is a bully and harrasing her he probably has the attitude that if she is up and about early and is not in bed that she could be at work - as you have stated you are

often representing people with HR managers to justify draconian control policies

The fact that you are often doing this shows that it does go on and happens on a regular basis.

When you are ill and the phone goes first thing (knowing you boss is harrasing you) it is the last thing you need.

Bettyboop

Thanks all for your replies. I didn't sleep at all last night. I was just so stressed about these accusations and worrying about my workload which is probably why. I have also run out of paracetamol and will have to take a 5 minute walk to the shop to get more. I don't have anyone to bring me some...my husband is working away and my friends live in another area. Thanks again for your support.

Horasio

It sounds like he doesn't like women in the workplace, especially ones with children. I hear this happening all the time and it is wrong. Why are there so many uncaring men around?

I would state my case the once to him, that the doctor has signed you off, then don't answer the phone to him afterwards and disconnect the answerphone.

Is he so brain dead that bugging you when you are ill will make you more ill, or is this his intention to drive you to resign?

Whatever, ignore this creep till you are well and concentrate on getting better, so you can be strong when you report him for bullying!