Scared of ringing in sick 3rd time

od244051 · 22 October 2019 at 3:49AM

I wonder if you can help me

Been working at my current employer for 12 years. They, along with most employers have a policy of three sicknesses in a rolling year, disciplinary action is to be taken.

Already on two periods of sickness - early spring for unexplained pains etc which I was put on strong medication. In hospital for 2 days having tests done which nothing was found, Changing my medication - which I took for 5-7 years previously, got rid of the pains. Not stayed in a hospital since I was born

At the beginning of this month - sickness and diarrhea. Not thrown up for 15 years. Had to stay off work for a certain time of having no episodes of either S&D, following company rules

Now I have been suffering with laryngitis since Friday and its getting worse - both voice and frequency of coughs. Been taking painkillers, having inhalations, sucking on sweets and drinking fluids. Been awake for past twenty minutes with my coughing and feeling clammy. All around my throat is hot to touch.

I cannot be doing with the stress of disciplinary so I am having to struggle at work. Keeping my talking to a bare minimum - both at work and outside work.

This policy of three sicknesses is quite common as if your employer has a similar policy to mine then you will notice other colleagues just like myself struggling to get to work and struggle with their days at work as like myself, scared of disciplinary. Then affecting other colleagues' health and sickness.

What is your opinion in this?

Please be kind as I am a newbie to the forums

System · 22 October 2019 at 7:09AM

Why shouldn't people "struggle to get to work"?

Tigsteroonie · 22 October 2019 at 7:12AM

od244051 wrote: »

I wonder if you can help me

Been working at my current employer for 12 years. They, along with most employers have a policy of three sicknesses in a rolling year, disciplinary action is to be taken.

Is it that disciplinary action will be taken?

Or is it that a welfare meeting will be held to determine whether these have been genuine, unrelated sickness absences and not (1) swinging the lead or (2) an underlying health issue that they need to consider; and to advise you to consider improving your level of absence - but not an actual disciplinary unless they find you've been having duvet days?

Wyndham · 22 October 2019 at 7:39AM

Vim_Fuego wrote: »

Why shouldn't people "struggle to get to work"?

Well, because if they have something infectious then they are likely to infect the whole workplace and have a major impact on productivity. That's as well as potentially passing it on to anyone they share any public transport with, who in turn will pass it on to their own workplace, their children and their schools etc.

OP - it sounds like you are having a rough time, and I'm sorry to hear that. I've noticed as I get older there are more things wrong more regularly, and I've now accepted that as a fact of life. In your case it sounds like three unrelated things, and a run of bad luck. One was something you had under control with medication, but for some reason that needed to change (it happens). Second one, sounds like you picked up a bug - maybe from someone else (see my first paragraph as to how that might have happened). This time it sounds like another bug, but it may also be worth seeing your GP? Also worth saying that as the first one involved a hospital, it should be clear that you're not swinging the lead here.

I think Tigsteroonie may also be right - it should be supportive, not disciplinary?

suki1964 · 22 October 2019 at 7:49AM

Ring in sick , its obvious you are sick

3 unrelated sicknesses aren't going to get you a disciplinary. Its going to get you a talking to, a "is there anything else going on that's impacting your health" type chat

TELLIT01 · 22 October 2019 at 8:31AM

suki1964 wrote: »

Ring in sick , its obvious you are sick

3 unrelated sicknesses aren't going to get you a disciplinary. Its going to get you a talking to, a "is there anything else going on that's impacting your health" type chat

If company policy is that 3 period of sickness in a rolling 12 months starts the disciplinary process then it will start. The company will decide if there is a pattern to it or if they are totally unrelated. From the OPs description they would seem to be unrelated, and the hospital stay should be treated in isolation.
All this is 'should' but that is the way a decent employer should act. If the OP is genuinely unable to function at work due to the current illness they should call in sick.

ACG · 22 October 2019 at 10:39AM

Disciplinary does not really mean there will be a negative outcome. Most people are not off 3 times in a year unless they are pulling a fast one or there is something more serious wrong. In your case, it looks like you have just had an unlucky year and 1 bad year in 12 isnt bad at all.

Personally, I would expect if you do go to the disciplinary to just explain you have been there 12 years, rarely been off ill in all that time and it is what it is. There is not really a lot you or they can do about your time off ill as it is just unfortunate one off events. I suppose an apology wouldnt go a miss but I am not sure you can really apologise for being ill.

You have the choice dont you?
Go in and deal it with.
Stay off and deal with the disciplinary.

Either way, we are in October, if you are saying you cant be off ill again between now and march, I would start buying a shed load of berocca.

For the record, I hate it when people come in with something contagious, I tend to tell people not to come in. I would rather than stay off for 2 days than come in, barely do any work and spread it to someone else or worse... me!

There is no magic outcome that satisfies both outcomes though.

Marvel1 · 22 October 2019 at 3:57PM

Considering there is possible disciplinary action, myself I would try my best and go in.

fred246 · 22 October 2019 at 4:20PM

I can't understand how this silliness is legal. I know someone who worked at a hospital and they were having disciplinary action because they were having treatment for cancer. It's unbelievable.

Undervalued · 22 October 2019 at 4:36PM

fred246 wrote: »

I can't understand how this silliness is legal. I know someone who worked at a hospital and they were having disciplinary action because they were having treatment for cancer. It's unbelievable.

Because ultimately an employer employs people to work. They are not a social service.

Disciplinary is a bit of an emotive misnomer in such circumstances, obviously unless there is reason to believe the employee in not genuinely unwell. However it is perfectly lawful to have a "tight" and closely managed sickness policy even when the sickness is genuine and / or serious.

You mention an employee with cancer. They would have some additional protection as any form of cancer is automatically a disability requiring the employer to make reasonable adjustments. However, ultimately if the employee can't work for significant periods and any contractual sick pay entitlement has been used up, the employer can take steps towards dismissal.

fred246 · 22 October 2019 at 5:10PM

Disgusting way to treat someone. I suppose it's what you expect when the Tories are in. Worse than Victorian times.

Scared of ringing in sick 3rd time

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