Due to start new job Monday but Doctor says I'm too ill to start

Zac1972

I left my last job on the 24th December and although I worked that day I had what I thought was a bit of a cold virus, since then I've been really ill, went to family in ireland for Christmas and hardly seen.them as spent most of the time in.bed, havent hardly slept apart from dozing here & there between coughing, had to go to emergency doctor and was given antibiotics for a chest infection and ear infection, problem is I'm still ill and I'm due to start my new job Monday, I went to my own GPs this morning as soon as we got back from Ireland and she has told me I'm too ill to start my new job on Monday, I sat in her room in tears, I'm normally a really reliable employee & haven't had anything that's grounded me like this in 19 years, i would normally drag myself to work whatever but I know this time I'm really not up to much at all & would probably collapse if I attempted it. The gp wrote me a sick note but I now have to tell my new boss and it's going to sound awful , any advice on how not to be hated before even starting my job.

ohreally

Zac1972 wrote: »

The gp wrote me a sick note but I now have to tell my new boss and it's going to sound awful , any advice on how not to be hated before even starting my job.

The fit note is advisory, you can choose to disregard it (im not suggesting you do that, its an option).

nicechap

Zac1972 wrote: »

I left my last job on the 24th December and although I worked that day !07824 823355‬ had what I thought was a bit of a cold virus, since then I've been really ill, went to family in ireland for Christmas and hardly seen.them as spent most of the time in.bed, havent hardly slept apart from dozing here & there between coughing, had to go to emergency doctor and was given antibiotics for a chest infection and ear infection, problem is I'm still ill and I'm due to start my new job Monday, I went to my own GPs this morning as soon as we got back from Ireland and she has told me I'm too ill to start my new job on Monday, I sat in her room in tears, I'm normally a really reliable employee & haven't had anything that's grounded me like this in 19 years, i would normally drag myself to work whatever but I know this time I'm really not up to much at all & would probably collapse if I attempted it. The gp wrote me a sick note but I now have to tell my new boss and it's going to sound awful , any advice on how not to be hated before even starting my job.

During the first two years you can be dismissed for pretty much any reason aside from protected characteristics.

You still have 3 days to get better enough not to be a Typhoid Mary for your new colleagues.

A truly grovelling approach and a promise to make it up later would be my approach.

You need, however, to prepare yourself for a disappointment and to start looking for a new job again.

Zac1972

During the first two years you can be dismissed for pretty much any reason aside from protected characteristics. /QUOTE]

I've got 14yrs on going service with the company, it's a new job within the same organisation but different 'branch' as such (I work for the NHS and am going to different part of NHS) my sick record is extremely good but my new boss may not know this, I have a chest infection & severe ear infection and the new job will be working with pts with severe respirstory diseases so I'm sure going in would be frowned on more.

Barny1979

I'd be calling your new boss to explain the situation and see how their reaction is, so you don't drop it on him on Monday.

JReacher1

When do you think you can make it into Work? Have you got an expected return eta?

It’s friday and you’ve already ruled out Monday which seems a bit too early in my opinion. I would spend the weekend on the antibiotics and see how you feel on Monday.

At the end of the day it’s the same employer you’ve had for 14 years and these things happen so if you’re ill then you are ill.

Zac1972

When do you think you can make it into Work? Have you got an expected return eta?

It’s friday and you’ve already ruled out Monday which seems a bit too early in my opinion. I would spend the weekend on the antibiotics and see how you feel on Monday.

As soon as I stop constantly coughing and can sleep again & manage walking without feeling faint, ive never had anything like this in my life, and when it began on Christmas eve I wasn't concerned as just assumed I'd be fine by Jan 7th, I went back to the Doctors today as after 5 days antibiotics I am still getting worse, although it was a long shot I was hoping she'd have some wonder drug that would make me feel well enough for Monday but that wasn't to be and it was her who told me there was not much chance of a an improvement by monday & that i need to stay in bed to get over it properly.

TELLIT01

If possible, I would suggest going to work on Monday, if only for your new boss to be able to see for themself just how ill you are. Take the med cert in with you as supporting evidence from the GP.

System

I can totally sympathise with how you are feeling. I also started with what I thought was just a little virus before Christmas and have now not been out the house....apart from being taken to the Dr in car, since Christmas Day. I am now on my second lot of antibiotics for what the DR has diagnosed as serious chest infection/board line pneumonia. Like I imagine you are, I can't walk more than a few steps without being out of breath, feeling woozy, coughing all the time. I am so tired and feel weak. Also hardly had any sleep for nearly 2 weeks.
So if I was in your shoes and feeling like I do (and you obviously do), I would be contacting the boss and explaining that I didn't think I would be able to start yet. I have spent many years of going to work when ill and ending up worse and then after I had pneumonia a few years ago, I realised that health is the most important thing.
Its not your fault you are ill and I think its important to get 100% better before going to work, for your own sake as well as the health of the people you will be working with.


I know this is easy for me to say as I am nearly 62 and only work part time, with bosses that are very understanding. I have already told them I have no idea when I will be back, as each day I think I feel a bit better and then after being out of bed for about an hour I feel loads worse.


I am sure others will say different to me, but that is my opinion. No job is worth making yourself more ill for.


Take care and let us know how you get on. x

jonnygee2

My advice (a bit late given the time) try and contact them ASAP. Even if you drop them an email now to explain it's looking unlikely you'll be in.

Here's the harsh reality - I've had literally dozens of people call in 'sick' on their first day, none of them have made it past the first two weeks. Unfortunately for you, it's very common for people to call in 'sick' when actually they don't want the job anymore.

Still, for most employers, they've spent time recruiting you and will still consider you their best option. Anyone can be sick, and actually delaying a start date rarely has a big impact. So as long as you are genuine and they believe you there's a good chance they will be reasonable.

Another option is just to turn up looking visibly ill, and hope they take sympathy and send you home.

jonnygee2

Oh - also expect them to specifically contact your previous employer for absence records, as that's what I'd do if someone called in sick on day one. As you have a reliable work history this could well work in your favour (you may even want to nudge them towards it?).