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Am I being unfairly treated?

10 replies

Mollnlillahsmummy · 26/12/2012 21:30

Sorry for the long post, just hoping someone can help me.
I'm 15 weeks pregnant and having issues at work. Have had number of sickness absence at work due to post natal depression, stress/anxiety and panic attacks (that happened at work) now I'm pregnant had number of pregnancy related issue that ment I needed pregnancy related sick leave, my father in law is terminally I'll in final stages, we have been told to see him now, because of his illness I have taken time off work tonite to care for my 2yrr old while husband see/says goodbye to his dad, when I rang work to tell them my manager went ballistic at me saying
"you should have rang earlier how can I cover a shift an hour before it starts."
"due to your sickness absences and this we will have to take this futher"
And told me, its not my dad so it will not be compassionate leve, if anything it will be unpaid absence. During this already difficult time I'm extremely upset by her lack of compassion, really don't want to ever go back, but have to. To top it off I work at my local maternity unit so if I am off I have to trust these people to look after/deliver my baby, I'm feeling stressed out and need advice if this is unfair treatment?? Thanks

OP posts:
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MrsMargoLeadbetter · 26/12/2012 22:42

Sorry you are having a rough time and that your FIL is so ill.

I am no expert buy didn't want your post to go unanswered.

They cannot as far as I know refuse you time off for pregnancy related issues. It doesn't sound like this is an issue, but maybe "their" attitude due to the time off is the problem.

Re other time off it depends on your orgs staff handbook. I don't think that many work places would pay you for time off for a DP's family member final days, sorry if that sounds harsh.

Are you in a union, if you feel they are treating you unfairly then they could help?

I'd start with the staff handbook re policies about sickness in pregnancy and unplanned time off. If it is the nhs i am sure there policies are written down, but departments following them can be an issue.

Try to get some sleep.

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BluelightsAndSirens · 26/12/2012 22:44

Bloody hell this is the 3rd time you have posted this in 3 different sections, advice is still the same.

Sorry you are having a shit time but leave will still be unpaid and yes you will be spoken to about your level of sickness leave.

I suggest again you ask to speak to someone in HR.

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MrsMargoLeadbetter · 26/12/2012 22:51

If you look at the EHRC website there is a page which talks about not taking into account pregnancy sickness in general annual sickness. Cannot link on my phonr.

However, it is unlikely that you'll not be questioned and monitored even if you are pregnant. They have a duty of care if nothing else.

I'd keep a diary of any incidents for your own records.

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Floralnomad · 26/12/2012 23:00

I'm not surprised they're cross if you rang in an hour before a shift on Boxing Day , I'm sorry about your FIL but could your DP not have gone during the day , especially in view of your poor sickness record? Where I work you automatically get referred to occupational health after a certain number of absences , irrespective of the reasons and I think that's a fairly common rule in large organisations. It doesn't mean bad will happen its just procedure and in some cases can be very helpful .

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vacuuming · 26/12/2012 23:05

There must be 4 different threads on this. Your manager does not sound like she went ballistic from what you have said, she sounded like she called a spade a spade. Repeated absences are a cause for disciplinary procedures. Ringing in an hour before your shift starts over Christmas is very unreasonable, imagine how your colleagues will feel. I am sorry for your DH' s situation, but your posts come across as attention seeking and 'poor me' ish. You don't state what efforts you have made to deal with your stress related issues, I hope you are dealing with them. It is most likely that your employer would rather you address your continued absences and take steps to become a more reliable employee than have you resign. I hope it all works out for you.

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jessjessjess · 26/12/2012 23:07

Wouldn't that come under time off for dependants?

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BluelightsAndSirens · 26/12/2012 23:14

Yep, like I posted on the other threads tonight, you are entitled to 3 days unpaid careers leave per year.

Please speak to HR op.

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flowerytaleofNewYork · 26/12/2012 23:29

So you haven't been disciplined yet or anything? Sounds as though your manager had built up some irritation at the amount of time you've had off, and being told with an hour's notice that you wouldn't be in for a Boxing Day shift and she'd have to find cover was probably a bit of a last straw, so she let off steam a bit. Can't say I blame her really.

Wait and see whether you are in fact invited to a disciplinary hearing and take it from there. If you are, then pregnancy related sickness absence can't be taken into account. There hasn't really been any 'treatment' that could be described as unfair yet as far as I can tell, your manager has just let off some frustration under understandable circumstances. See whether her irritation translates into actual disciplinary action or being penalized in some way and take it from there.

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jessjessjess · 26/12/2012 23:38

As I said on another thread it is also perfectly legal to have disciplinary action taken for excessive sickness unless caused by a disability or pregnancy.

I do wonder if your general attitude to work is lacking? Is it possible this is a last straw sort of situation? Do you act like a team player?

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MammaTJ · 26/12/2012 23:39

She has not gone unanswered, see this and this and this.

HTH

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