Calling in sick during probation period (Sainsburys)

gohan2091

My job is in the store, I go round and add items to totes (boxes). The day I went in when I was ill, my manager wasn't in on that day so he didn't see me. Other colleagues did, although I am so new, I'm not sure that matters.

I haven't got the policy in front of me but I am sure it says the first 3 days of sickness are unpaid. I also read if you're sick 3 times, you get a disciplinary warning which is absurd in my opinion.

I feel a bit better than yesterday, although as the day is going on, I am losing strength. I am at the moment unsure if I can go in tomorrow morning on my next shift but I will do my best to try. I only asked advice on being sick during my probation period.

I do have another question though:

Q: I work Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and have Thursday and Fridays off each week. Christmas and Boxing days fall on a Thursday and Friday so what happens here? Obviously I will be off from work because those are my days off but other employees who usually work Thursday and Friday would be getting their bank holidays and I won't be.

JReacher1

A lot of companies say if you have 3 separate occurences of sickness in one year then it leads to disciplinary action. Its been a standard policy in a few places I have worked. Although I find its at your managers discretion whether the discplinary action is reported.

I think if your designated day off is a bank holiday then you are just unlucky and get nothing extra

marvin

gohan2091 wrote: »

My job is in the store, I go round and add items to totes (boxes). The day I went in when I was ill, my manager wasn't in on that day so he didn't see me. Other colleagues did, although I am so new, I'm not sure that matters.

I haven't got the policy in front of me but I am sure it says the first 3 days of sickness are unpaid. I also read if you're sick 3 times, you get a disciplinary warning which is absurd in my opinion.

I feel a bit better than yesterday, although as the day is going on, I am losing strength. I am at the moment unsure if I can go in tomorrow morning on my next shift but I will do my best to try. I only asked advice on being sick during my probation period.

I do have another question though:

Q: I work Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and have Thursday and Fridays off each week. Christmas and Boxing days fall on a Thursday and Friday so what happens here? Obviously I will be off from work because those are my days off but other employees who usually work Thursday and Friday would be getting their bank holidays and I won't be.

Not sure what it is in probationary period but the standard sick policy is the first 3 days un-paid if you have had a warning otherwise they are paid.

It is 3 bouts of illness in a rolling 12 months which is not that bad really.

gohan2091

I think if you have 1 day off, or have 2-3 days off, that still counts as 1 bout right? What's really getting me down is the constant coughing, its making my chest very sore, I really cannot wait to get better. Thanks all for the replies, I appreciate it.

scaredofdebt

Yes, that's right.

So if you are sick and go back to work before you are really 100% better, then have a relapse and have to take another day or two off, you are penalised for it.

Better to make the "bout" as long as you can get a sick note for.

Companies can and do sack people on grounds of their health even if they are genuine. If you are sick too often they will claim that you are unable to do your job, which is correct depending on how you look at it.

gohan2091

If I have 2 days off work, I still need a sick note? It says in the policy from memory that I need a doctors note after 3 days.

marvin

gohan2091 wrote: »

If I have 2 days off work, I still need a sick note? It says in the policy from memory that I need a doctors note after 3 days.

First 7 days are self certified DR's notes are required after 7 days, this is UK law I think and not just Sainsburys, and yes 1 bout of sickness is 1 day or 3 years so long as you stay off.

gohan2091

When I next go into work, I have to ask for a return to work document thingy, I'm sure there they will ask about my illness and give me a sort of self certificate. I hope they do, I would like to have in writing what my illness is about and that it's not just a common cold (which is unpleasant but I wouldn't willfully miss work for that)

dawyldthing

JReacher1 wrote: »

A lot of companies say if you have 3 separate occurences of sickness in one year then it leads to disciplinary action. Its been a standard policy in a few places I have worked. Although I find its at your managers discretion whether the discplinary action is reported.

I think if your designated day off is a bank holiday then you are just unlucky and get nothing extra

I think it's the Bradford factor. It's worth a google though as it's a bit of a mindfield

lesleyb

gohan2091 wrote: »

My job is in the store, I go round and add items to totes (boxes). The day I went in when I was ill, my manager wasn't in on that day so he didn't see me. Other colleagues did, although I am so new, I'm not sure that matters.

I haven't got the policy in front of me but I am sure it says the first 3 days of sickness are unpaid. I also read if you're sick 3 times, you get a disciplinary warning which is absurd in my opinion.

I feel a bit better than yesterday, although as the day is going on, I am losing strength. I am at the moment unsure if I can go in tomorrow morning on my next shift but I will do my best to try. I only asked advice on being sick during my probation period.

I do have another question though:

Q: I work Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and have Thursday and Fridays off each week. Christmas and Boxing days fall on a Thursday and Friday so what happens here? Obviously I will be off from work because those are my days off but other employees who usually work Thursday and Friday would be getting their bank holidays and I won't be.

I worked for Sainsburys as an HR Manager and when I was there colleagues booked bank holidays off from their annual allowance.