Any right to time off for personal reasons

Dennymc123

Hi all,

A few days ago I was knocked off my motorcycle, it wasn't a serious accident but I did hit the ground hard and injure my shoulder that has already been Injured previously my elbow and my neck.

I contacted my manager after this to let him know what had happened and that I would be coming to work but would need some help due to the nature of the job.

I didn't want to take any time off sick and wouldn't be claiming for injuries etc, I just want my vehicle repaired.

I explained to my manager that I was waiting for a call to arrange the collection of my motorcycle and for a hire bike to be dropped off, I thought I would have a 2 hour window and he said I could leave a little early to sort it all out.

I work shifts and am currently on the 7am-3pm shift, they have contacted me and said they will be here tomorrow 11am-3pm. I told my manager and he said he cannot let me leave to sort it out, I asked for holiday but as 1 person is already off I was told I cannot have it, I was then told the only way I could have it off is if I ring in sick. I really didn't want to do this and even after speaking to hr there was no resolution.

I told my manager I would not be in as I need to get this sorted before I am on nights next week as I don't know when they will next be able to deliver and collect and I need a bike to get to work as I have no other access to a vehicle.

He wasn't happy and later called me in to tell me this would be held against me and I could face a disciplinary because of it.

This seems really unfair as I am trying to be reasonable and haven't taken any time off already even though I haven't has much in the way of help at work over the last 2 days.

Am I right in thinking he wouldn't have much of a case against me as he was the one who said this was the only option for me?
Apologies for the essay but I wanted to cover everything.
Thanks

lincroft1710

How long have you worked there?

FBaby

Why can't they collect and drop the car at your work place?

theoretica

Do they need to see you to sign paperwork? When I needed my car towing I left the keys in my recycling bin and it went while I was at work. Could they do that and then drop the hire bike at your work?

Dennymc123

I have worked there for 11 months now, after 6 months I passed my probation period and I was given a full time contract.
I can't ride my bike at the moment so they need to collect it from my home address and we need to log all damage caused by the accident and then inspect the hire bike and do the same to avoid any charges for damage I didn't cause.
I also need to fill in the paperwork.
My girlfriend is here but she has our 10 month old to look after and english isnt her first language.
I just don't understand why he would tell me to take a day off unauthorised rather than at least work a few hours, it's not like I'm trying to be difficult, I really don't want to cause problems or drop anyone in it and have explained this.
What really got me was when we left work he walked past me and gave me a dirty look. It's made me feel like I'm a 16 year old in my first job trying to bunk off to go drinking. I'm 39 and I've worked really hard there and done overtime to help out.
The way its going I think I will have to start looking for something else as I reapply don't feel the way they are being with me is justified.

jonnygee2

Do NOT phone in sick, whatever your manager says this could come back to bite you.

If they will not authorise leave your only sensible option is to go to work and find another solution for the bike. Anything else puts you at risk

Dennymc123

The problem is if I don't sort this out tomorrow it will lead to more time off of work as without a bike I can't get to work and they cannot deliver for Monday which is when I switch to nights, I have no other mode of transport and cannot ride the bike I currently have. My situation will only be worse if i don't get this sorted tomorrow. I work a 6 on 2 off pattern and this is a rare occasion when I am off on the weekend, tomorrow is the only available day for delivery and collection.
I will try and contact my union rep as he is on nights now and see if he can help.

DCFC79

Could you not get it done after 3 ?

Anyone you trust eg friend, neighbour who you could ask to be there between them hours ?

TELLIT01

Your manager sounds like a jobsworth. He's playing by the book in refusing to let you be off at the same time as another person to cover his own back. I can guarantee that if his suggestion of calling in sick was mentioned either to his manager, or HR, he would flatly deny it. I suggest he would probably go further and report that he did not believe you were sick. He had denied your leave request and you had chosen to defy it.

Dennymc123

I went to HR and told them what was said and their answer was we should work together to find a solution. There is no solution on my manager's part.
I have no one to ask, I have no family they I talk to and my missus family is in poland, I haven't lived here long so neighbours aren't an option either.
I feel it would be at my managers discretion to allow this, my previous manager was much more helpful but I was asked to move shifts to help out as they were short staffed and it's the worst mistake I could have made, I was thrown into more responsibility than my training allowed for and am working much harder than I would have been if I had stayed on my original shift.
Its feeling like a school mentality there, if your one of the boys everything is ok but if not then your an outcast.
Maybe this is the kick I need to go elsewhere.
Thanks to all that have replied, it is appreciated

Dennymc123

Oh and I asked for something after 3pm and it's not possible, this slot is what is available