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AIBU?

AIBU to call in sick

241 replies

reallysomepeople · 18/06/2016 20:45

To go away for a few days? Long story short my best friends child was diagnosed with Cancer a few months ago. It's a very aggressive cancer and the odds are not in their favour (9-12 months but we are praying for longer and they are doing really well.) We are all devastated and trying to support/help/love as much as we can.

We (me, my dd and dh) have been asked to go on their make a wish holiday with bf. Obviously I said yes of course we would be honoured. Mentioned it to my boss who knows about the situation and she said maybe but not if it's this summer??? (As its a very busy time.)The dates have come through and obviously it is this summer holiday.

So AIBU to just say sod it I am going and thats it and call in sick for the week? I will add I don't like my job very much and I am looking elsewhere but not a lot about at the minute.

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ssd · 18/06/2016 20:46

absolutely go.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 18/06/2016 20:48

Surely if you hate the job you be best to hand in your notice so you leave just before the holiday rather than face a disciplinary as your boss will guess you are not ill.

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MumOnTheRunCatchingUp · 18/06/2016 20:52

How will your own family fare if you lose your job over this?

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NoahVale · 18/06/2016 20:54

can you take compassionate leave/unpaid leave

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NoahVale · 18/06/2016 20:54

can you go above your boss?

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loobieloo32 · 18/06/2016 20:56

I would ask again reiterate why (exactly what you said here) of answer is no, notice in as suggested by pp it's too precious to miss. But don't ruin your prospects of a reference x

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Oysterbabe · 18/06/2016 20:56

Calling in sick is stealing from your company. Quit or take unpaid leave.

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AndNowItsSeven · 18/06/2016 20:56

They won't guess if they never knew the date, I would go. Do they not understand the little girl will sadly not be alive next summer?

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thisisafakename · 18/06/2016 20:56

the only problem is that if you have already told your boss about it it might be a bit suspicious if you are suddenly sick.
what sort of thing were you going to 'come down with'? D&V is good but a bit short-lived. Maybe something like gastric flu. Or normal flu tends to last a while.

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lougle · 18/06/2016 20:58

I'm not saying don't go, but you can't phone in sick. It's gross misconduct. So you'll either need to ask for annual leave, unpaid leave, or resign.

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NicknameUsed · 18/06/2016 20:59

If you have requested holiday leave then call in sick it will be pretty obvious why you aren't at work. Given the nature of the leave you require can you not talk to your boss again and let them know that going later than this summer may not be an option anyway?

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reallysomepeople · 18/06/2016 20:59

Noahvale- I can't take any leave (I have more than enough holiday) as we are too busy. My boss is the CEO so don't think I have anywhere to go.

We can't really afford for me to lose my job we have savings and an emergency fund but I have only be back at work FT for a year so I would have to find something else pretty quickly.

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OddSocksHighHeels · 18/06/2016 20:59

I'd do it. This isn't something that can just be rescheduled for a future date and I can imagine you'd really regret it if you didn't go.

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mrgrouper · 18/06/2016 21:00

I would go but make sure none of the holiday party post photos of you enjoying yourself on social media.

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Passthecake30 · 18/06/2016 21:01

I"d ask for unpaid leave, if not agreed I would go above your boss. I wouldn't phone in sick

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thisisafakename · 18/06/2016 21:02

Oysterbabe doubt she would get unpaid leave if it's very busy. Some workplaces don't pay for sickness so that is not stealing. Quitting is a bit drastic. If OP is worried about the morality of the situation, she can omit to take 5 days annual leave if she wants.
I would have no problem with this morality wise (presuming relatively large employer), I would just be worried about getting caught. OP, you need to be extremely careful about photos not ending up on facebook, twitter, justgiving or personal blogs.

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PurpleRainDiamondsandPearls · 18/06/2016 21:05

I feel for you but YABU because it'll be obvious, surely? Won't you come back tanned? I think you need to consider what would happen if you lost your job as a result.

I have a lot of sympathy though. Talk about rock and hard place. Flowers

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RaskolnikovsGarret · 18/06/2016 21:06

I take a very dim view of dishonest sick leave. But I say definitely do it in this situation. Flowers

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ilovesooty · 18/06/2016 21:07

If you can't get leave and are set on going I think you need to hand your notice in. Personally I think they should see that this is exceptional and I think it's a shame they said no.

You will probably be sacked for gross misconduct if you ring in sick.

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gandalf456 · 18/06/2016 21:09

Could you get anyone to cover for you?

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hesterton · 18/06/2016 21:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lovewineandchocs · 18/06/2016 21:11

Could you take parental leave?

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NoahVale · 18/06/2016 21:11

perhaps your CEO will have a change of heart if you go in and explain the dates are set?

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NoahVale · 18/06/2016 21:12

can you organise temp cover?

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reallysomepeople · 18/06/2016 21:14

We don't get paid for the first week of sick leave so they wouldn't pay me. I have/will have worked a lot of extra hours above my contract (due to being so busy.) I never even considered she would say no given the circumstances but don't want to risk it now if I formally ask. I line manage a large team and I would never say no in these circumstance I would step in a do what needed doing and everything else could wait a few days.

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