Dismissed while sick

bikeit

My sister-in-law and i my brother where away on holiday for two weeks but when they returned to Ireland they went into the airport restaurant for a meal, about an hour after the meal she felt unwell so they went on home where the sister-in-law started to be sick, the doctor attended her and told them she had food poisoning which may take two or three days to leave her system,
My brother rang her employer the next day and i spoke to her supervisor to inform her that his wife would be off for a few more days due to her sickness, and a short time later her boss rang to inform him that she was dismissed as he did not think she was genuinely sick my brother informed him about the doctor but he was not having none of it, she has worked there for 15 years with a totally clean record, any advise on this would be appreciated.

tomtontom

Can you clarify, does she work in Ireland?

bikeit

She works in Northern Ireland.

tomtontom

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4522159

In the above thread you say your wife has been on incapacity benefits for some years. Has she been working at the same time? I'm lost!

ohreally

You should challenge this state of affairs, don't hang about and lodge a written appeal as a procedural clock is ticking - not that her employer has acted correctly.

Her employer should have convened a hearing and given an opportunity to put her case.

What was the relationship like prior to this as the situation appears quite bizarre for someone with 15 years service and no prior.

What has soured the relationship as the response is not reasonable in the circumstances?

bikeit

Hands up im caught, the post above should read my brother and his wife where away on holidays, and his wife was dismissed, im posting for them as they dont use the internet

bikeit

She said that her boss can be difficult to deal with as its a family run business which employed 30 people, she said that he didn't like the fact that she booked her holiday during the company stocktake, but other employers have done this this year and in the past without and repercussions.

ohreally

bikeit wrote: »

she said that he didn't like the fact that she booked her holiday during the company stocktake, but other employers have done this this year and in the past without and repercussions.

Did she book and make arrangements without authorisation?

bikeit

Sister-in-law said that they can take their annual holidays anytime from January - December, nothing in her contract about when and when not to take annual holidays. she also said that she didnt need authorisation any other year.

monty-doggy

She can go to a tribunal for unfair dismissal as they clearly have not followed a process. Start by contacting ACAS for advice.