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11 missed calls in 30 mins

11 replies

crazybutkind · 10/03/2020 14:53

So long story short I am currently off sick due to pregnancy related issues. I have been off for 3 weeks now. Everyday excluding weekends I have had either a letter, an email, a text or a phone call from my manager. Every. Single. Day.

In the last half an hour I have had 11 missed calls, yesterday I had 4 missed calls in 3 minutes.

This happened a couple of weeks back aswell now when they rang 14 times in an hour.

It is then usually followed up by voicemail and the voicemail is just asking me to give them a call back.

Unfortunately on some of the occasions I have genuinely missed them or avoided them due to my toddler being asleep or just not having my phone on me.

Now I am just deliberately ignoring it.

It is stressing me out way too much. Is there any need for these constant phone calls, emails and texts?

Can your employer contact you while off sick?

I'm fed up of it to the point I have been putting my phone on aeroplane mode just to stop it.

OP posts:

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willowpatterns · 10/03/2020 14:55

What do they say?

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BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 10/03/2020 14:55

Have you provided them with a sicknote/fit note stating the return to work date?

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puds11 · 10/03/2020 14:57

My company aren’t allowed to contact you if you are signed off sick. They can send an email but you are not obliged to respond. I’d check your company policy as it could be seen as forcing you to work whilst off sick.

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tenlittlecygnets · 10/03/2020 14:59

What is company policy? Are you supposed to ring in every day you're sick? Have you been doing this? When will you return to work?

Sounds like they are anxious about your absence...

What do they call you about?

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crazybutkind · 10/03/2020 14:59

The emails, voicemails, texts and letters all pretty much say "hi I tried calling earlier but no answer just wondering if you can give me a call back"

Yes they have a sick note which is due to run out next Friday 20/03/20

I have a consultant appointment and follow up doctors appointment scheduled for later this week which I have informed my manager and stated that until I have attended these appointments I won't be able to give you much more info.

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BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 10/03/2020 15:05

I think you need to speak to them. If you don't, it's likely to continue.

Email your manager (and if you have HR cc them).

"I've noticed a number of m8ssed calls and emails and just wanted to re-iterate to you that I am currently off sick as per my note which you have received. I am scheduled to return 20 March, and will he happy to respond to any queries or tasks then. For now, I am focussing on my recovery. Regards OP"

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HollowTalk · 10/03/2020 15:05

Couldn't you just call them back? They might want to know something about work, that only you know the answer to. They are being unreasonable calling so many times, but it's easier to just call them back, isn't it?

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sprinklemagicinmyhair · 10/03/2020 15:13

Have you got back to them at all? It's not clear from your OP if they are looking to talk to you once for some reason and you are ignoring all contact or if they are ringing you time and time again after speaking to you about whatever the previous issue was?

One is unreasonable, they other not so.

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crazybutkind · 10/03/2020 15:20

Yes I have got back to them I went in last week for a meeting just to discuss my risk assessment and amend duties. I have replied to various phone calls and emails but I refuse to answer every day I have a high risk pregnancy and a toddler to deal with at the moment and I can't be in touch every single day hence why I am off sick. If I was totally unresponsive I would sort of understand. My job role is not important I am not a senior or hold any certain responsibilities. If anything I am a glorified cleaner.

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msmith501 · 10/03/2020 15:24

Most company policies tend to state that only HR can call you when our are sick to avoid unnecessary or undue stress to the person who is sick. I suspect that HR has no idea this is happening. A quick call to HR explaining the situation but also saying that you don't want to get yourself or your manager into trouble? - perhaps Hr could send round a generic email to all managers reminding them of the policy....