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Original poster

Pulling a sickie

84 replies

TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 12:39

Basically, I’m planning to pull a sickie from a job that won’t let me use annual leave for a day off. I’m leaving anyway. New job secured. Reassure me it’s not the totally unreasonable thing to do!

OP posts:
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Original poster
TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 09:08

timetochangethering · 11/07/2025 08:56

They have probably been hit by the same issue I was when someone left.

Booked a holiday, needed special permission as 3 weeks, fine I said - Have a great time.

Person was part time and on 4 weeks notice, left an envelope with a resignation letter on my desk the day before she went on holiday. When she returned (due to working pattern) she had 2 5hr days before she left.

Small business, nice atmosphere (honest!) no history of being awkward with employees. I now do 8 weeks and anyone who has a more than 2 week holiday is caveated with they cant use that time as notice!

But they haven’t.

I’m full time, with a 12 week notice period and have asked about taking a day or two here. Not 3 weeks!

OP posts:
timetochangethering · 11/07/2025 08:56

They have probably been hit by the same issue I was when someone left.

Booked a holiday, needed special permission as 3 weeks, fine I said - Have a great time.

Person was part time and on 4 weeks notice, left an envelope with a resignation letter on my desk the day before she went on holiday. When she returned (due to working pattern) she had 2 5hr days before she left.

Small business, nice atmosphere (honest!) no history of being awkward with employees. I now do 8 weeks and anyone who has a more than 2 week holiday is caveated with they cant use that time as notice!

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 08:24

Internaut · 11/07/2025 08:24

Take a fan in anyway.

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We’re set for the heat to break this weekend but if it doesn’t, the fan is on its way 😂

OP posts:
Internaut · 11/07/2025 08:24

TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 08:15

As I’ve said, other colleagues won’t be stretched. Nobody else will be expected to do my job, and in any event, the work I’m doing is well below my pay grade. I’ve gone from a senior associate with a 75 strong case load to doing secretarial work. It won’t impact anyone if I’m off for a day. I want a day off because they’re treating me like shit and I’d like to relax in the sun instead of being stuck in an office that’s 30 degrees, on my own, without even a fan!

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Take a fan in anyway.

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 11/07/2025 08:24

TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 08:16

This is a good point, I think I’d just be embarrassed to come back after, because at this point the work I’m being given isn’t stressful at all

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OP the work might not be stressful but the way they're treating you is. Take the bloody week and stick two fingers up at them, cheeky fuckers.

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 08:23

soupmaker · 11/07/2025 08:22

Your employer is being unreasonable. Whilst contractually when you get to take your annual leave will likely be at the employers discretion, for them to not allow any leave in a 3 month notice period is ridiculous. On the basis of the information you’ve provided I’d say do it. A PP suggested We’d-Fri one week so you get 5 days away from work - I’d be very tempted in your position to do exactly that. I’ve had to represent people in disciplinary hearings who threw sickies and then posted all over social media what they were actually up to - so proceed with caution, but enjoy.

Oh I’d definitely not be silly enough to post it on social media 😂

OP posts:
tryingtobesogood · 11/07/2025 08:22

But their general treatment of you is stressful. You need a break and they are making it near impossible to take one.

my last job, which was very stressful, let me take my leave AND leave 2 weeks early to start my new job. Because they were nice people.

soupmaker · 11/07/2025 08:22

Your employer is being unreasonable. Whilst contractually when you get to take your annual leave will likely be at the employers discretion, for them to not allow any leave in a 3 month notice period is ridiculous. On the basis of the information you’ve provided I’d say do it. A PP suggested We’d-Fri one week so you get 5 days away from work - I’d be very tempted in your position to do exactly that. I’ve had to represent people in disciplinary hearings who threw sickies and then posted all over social media what they were actually up to - so proceed with caution, but enjoy.

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 08:16

tryingtobesogood · 11/07/2025 08:12

That is the problem, you are still thinking like an employee of this company and you need to let it go. Go to HR and raise it as an issue or just take a week off with stress. It really doesn’t matter if they are upset with you, they do not care about you at all. Not. At. All.

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This is a good point, I think I’d just be embarrassed to come back after, because at this point the work I’m being given isn’t stressful at all

OP posts:
Original poster
TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 08:15

Keepingthingsinteresting · 11/07/2025 08:03

Of course it makes sense, they have to pay for your leave either way, so they rather others have their choice of leave as they don’t care about keeping you happy anymore.

Why do you want the day off and are others off at the same time meaning colleagues will be stretched when you don’t turn up? What you’re doing is unreasonable anyway but the answer to those questions determines how much.

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As I’ve said, other colleagues won’t be stretched. Nobody else will be expected to do my job, and in any event, the work I’m doing is well below my pay grade. I’ve gone from a senior associate with a 75 strong case load to doing secretarial work. It won’t impact anyone if I’m off for a day. I want a day off because they’re treating me like shit and I’d like to relax in the sun instead of being stuck in an office that’s 30 degrees, on my own, without even a fan!

OP posts:
AMurderofMurderingCrows · 11/07/2025 08:14

Keepingthingsinteresting · 11/07/2025 08:03

Of course it makes sense, they have to pay for your leave either way, so they rather others have their choice of leave as they don’t care about keeping you happy anymore.

Why do you want the day off and are others off at the same time meaning colleagues will be stretched when you don’t turn up? What you’re doing is unreasonable anyway but the answer to those questions determines how much.

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they don’t care about keeping you happy anymore

Exactly, so why should OP care about them.

And colleagues won't be stretched as OP has already said she'll pick up her work when she returns.

tryingtobesogood · 11/07/2025 08:12

TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 08:00

Current job. There’s a culture of everyone must be overworked and busy. As much as I dislike the current job, I don’t want to rock the boat

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That is the problem, you are still thinking like an employee of this company and you need to let it go. Go to HR and raise it as an issue or just take a week off with stress. It really doesn’t matter if they are upset with you, they do not care about you at all. Not. At. All.

Champaganesupernova · 11/07/2025 08:07

Life is too short , get out and enjoy the sun 🌞

Laura95167 · 11/07/2025 08:04

TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 07:37

I don’t really think this would go down well, and I don’t want a week. Just a day or two to reclaim some time. And, in a really petty move, as a middle finger to them.

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  1. It doesnt matter if it goes down well they cant discriminate
  2. In that case self certify. They might think youre lying and pulling a sickie but they'd be hard pressed to prove it and if your sick record is decent unable to take action because of it without risk of come back
Keepingthingsinteresting · 11/07/2025 08:03

TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 12:44

Yes. It makes no sense. They’d rather pay me out than have a day off! It feels like a punishment

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Of course it makes sense, they have to pay for your leave either way, so they rather others have their choice of leave as they don’t care about keeping you happy anymore.

Why do you want the day off and are others off at the same time meaning colleagues will be stretched when you don’t turn up? What you’re doing is unreasonable anyway but the answer to those questions determines how much.

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 08:01

And yes if I wasn’t leaving I’m sure I’d be fine to do what I want. I’m being punished

OP posts:
Original poster
TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 08:00

tryingtobesogood · 11/07/2025 07:57

To whom? Your new job? Your current one does not care. Can you go to HR about the leave, what if you weren’t leaving, would you be able to book time off?

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Current job. There’s a culture of everyone must be overworked and busy. As much as I dislike the current job, I don’t want to rock the boat

OP posts:
tryingtobesogood · 11/07/2025 07:57

TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 13:27

This would go down really, really badly

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To whom? Your new job? Your current one does not care. Can you go to HR about the leave, what if you weren’t leaving, would you be able to book time off?

shopsk · 11/07/2025 07:50

Just do it! Migraine brought on by the hot weather. I spent years breaking my back for different companies - life’s too short.

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 07:37

Laura95167 · 11/07/2025 07:30

Tbh GP might give a work related stress fot note and that wouldnt be pulling a sickie but a reflection of your wellbeing based on how they treated you

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I don’t really think this would go down well, and I don’t want a week. Just a day or two to reclaim some time. And, in a really petty move, as a middle finger to them.

OP posts:
Laura95167 · 11/07/2025 07:30

Sailing8 · 10/07/2025 23:53

Of course you can pull a sickie if they’ve been treating you like crap and you’re leaving anyway! I wouldn’t dream of doing this to a good employer but I’d have no loyalty to a company who purposely made my life difficult because I chose to hand in my notice. Serves them right. Enjoy your leave OP 😎

Tbh GP might give a work related stress fot note and that wouldnt be pulling a sickie but a reflection of your wellbeing based on how they treated you

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 11/07/2025 07:05

Carzycat · 11/07/2025 00:06

Just check your absence policy. One place I worked for would only pay SSP (if you qualified) for sickness during notice period. That said if they’re paying you for holiday not taken anyway you won’t be out of pocket.

They’re making deductions from my pay anyway so I don’t think I’d even notice!

OP posts:
Carzycat · 11/07/2025 00:06

Just check your absence policy. One place I worked for would only pay SSP (if you qualified) for sickness during notice period. That said if they’re paying you for holiday not taken anyway you won’t be out of pocket.

NeilDiamondsBlowDry · 10/07/2025 23:57

Petty minded and vindictive fuckers, take a few days off and enjoy it

Sailing8 · 10/07/2025 23:53

Of course you can pull a sickie if they’ve been treating you like crap and you’re leaving anyway! I wouldn’t dream of doing this to a good employer but I’d have no loyalty to a company who purposely made my life difficult because I chose to hand in my notice. Serves them right. Enjoy your leave OP 😎

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