Boss phoning while off sick

Charityworker

I've just returned to work after a bout of blood poisoning. My boss has been phoning up several times while I've been off asking me to complete tasks from home and asking questions about the job I do. Also asking questions about how much longer I will be off and what my symptoms are. Like as if he's making sure my symptoms match with what I've got.

Is this all normal/acceptable?

paulwellerfan

no its not normal.
have you provided a sick note stating your not fit for work.?

AP007

No he can not call you or make you work while off and you don not need anything to prove you are unless its 7 days or more.

anamenottaken

Charityworker wrote: »

I've just returned to work after a bout of blood poisoning. My boss has been phoning up several times while I've been off asking me to complete tasks from home and asking questions about the job I do. Also asking questions about how much longer I will be off and what my symptoms are. Like as if he's making sure my symptoms match with what I've got.

Is this all normal/acceptable?

Not normal practice.

Good that you are now back at work.

Why did your boss feel that he needed to phone with questions about the job?

Southend1

They can contact you while off sick but they must not harass you. See here: http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/ltext/l1500004.htm

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Charityworker wrote: »

I've just returned to work after a bout of blood poisoning. My boss has been phoning up several times while I've been off asking me to complete tasks from home and asking questions about the job I do. Also asking questions about how much longer I will be off and what my symptoms are. Like as if he's making sure my symptoms match with what I've got.

Is this all normal/acceptable?

How long were you off?
How many times did he call?

Racheldevon

It's usual practice within our organisation, and stated within the absence policy that manager's will make contact with staff - check your company policy

Charityworker

Thanks for your replies.

I was off sick for 7 days in total. I would say he contacted me around 6 times in that time. They were questions like 'can you just email so and so about this' and 'where did you put so and so in the filing cabinet' and 'theres a client in here with so and so problem, what shall I say to them?'.

The last phonecall from him though was like as if he was cross questioning me about the validity of the illness. As if he didn't believe I was actually ill.

Just for the record as well. He also contacts me while I'm on my day off and while I'm on holiday, even if I'm abroad. Even if I reject the call he keeps phoning until I eventually answer.

I feel you might need a bit of background though. The place I work isnt like other employments. I'm the administrator of a charity where my bosses are all volunteers who give up their time for free, including the one that phones me. I'm the only person who gets paid to work there. This makes life very difficult when it comes to things like this as they all have the mentality that 'we give our time up for free so you should as well'.

Savvy_Sue

You should address that with whoever manages you. They may give up their time for free, and presumably they choose what time they give up to suit them. For whatever reason it has been agreed that you will be paid. You give them that time in exchange for a salary. What you do with your time outside work is your own affair.

If that doesn't work, I'd even consider getting a cheap PAYG phone, telling them that is your new number, and switching it off on your day off and other times when you don't want them to contact you.

anarchied

Even if your colleagues are voluntary (including your boss), that doesn't give him permission to harass you (although, by the sounds of it, he was mostly asking for advice - although still odd he essentially questioned you about your illness, but this could be harmless)

Glad you're okay though!

Errata

Charityworker wrote: »

I feel you might need a bit of background though. The place I work isnt like other employments. I'm the administrator of a charity where my bosses are all volunteers who give up their time for free, including the one that phones me. I'm the only person who gets paid to work there. This makes life very difficult when it comes to things like this as they all have the mentality that 'we give our time up for free so you should as well'.

Your posts are very confusing as only a short while ago you claimed that you had set up a small animal sitting service and that you were also a self employed manicurist and nail artist and a part time receptionist. Do you work part time for a charity as an administrator as well?