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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:
Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 14:06

Jeezitneverends · 10/07/2025 14:01

It can be at times on here, but the replies to the thread have been refreshingly realistic!

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I have to admit I was expecting more pushback!

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Jeezitneverends · 10/07/2025 14:01

TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 13:23

Is it really that controversial??

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It can be at times on here, but the replies to the thread have been refreshingly realistic!

Summerartwitch · 10/07/2025 13:53

Go for it.

You are leaving and your employer seems to be the petty type, so I would have no issues with taking a day off.

In fact in your shoes I would take more than just one day.

I always think that a decent employer that treats me fairly deserves good behaviour back from me, but a crappy/toxic one can just reap what they sow.

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 13:42

BumpyWinds · 10/07/2025 13:41

Ha! I must be tight! I realised recently that a departing employee had holiday left that was going to cost me about £750 if left unused, so we asked him to use it instead (which wasn't difficult as he'd already done the majority of his handover with time to spare).

As long as you stick within your self-certification period of sickness and you don't need any sort of references, I'd do the same in your shoes and not feel guilty about it.

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That’s about what I’m due.

I’ve had my reference and a new job is secure

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Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 13:42

ObliviousCoalmine · 10/07/2025 13:40

You’re better off taking more than one day. Stomach bugs take a couple of days at least. Just don’t get spotted in Sainsbury’s buying wine.

The actual reason won’t be D&V, but my health condition is outing!

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BumpyWinds · 10/07/2025 13:41

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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Ha! I must be tight! I realised recently that a departing employee had holiday left that was going to cost me about £750 if left unused, so we asked him to use it instead (which wasn't difficult as he'd already done the majority of his handover with time to spare).

As long as you stick within your self-certification period of sickness and you don't need any sort of references, I'd do the same in your shoes and not feel guilty about it.

ObliviousCoalmine · 10/07/2025 13:40

You’re better off taking more than one day. Stomach bugs take a couple of days at least. Just don’t get spotted in Sainsbury’s buying wine.

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 13:27

Thunderpants88 · 10/07/2025 13:25

Take a week off and say it’s stress as that’s what it sounds like

This would go down really, really badly

OP posts:
Thunderpants88 · 10/07/2025 13:25

Take a week off and say it’s stress as that’s what it sounds like

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 13:23

Jeezitneverends · 10/07/2025 12:42

I’m sure there will be lots of people who will come along and tell you it’s the most heinous crime against your employer, references yada yada yada.
You’re leaving, it’s a day. Do it-I would

Is it really that controversial??

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Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 13:17

Velmy · 10/07/2025 13:15

If you've got your new job, what's the issue?

Tell them you're taking it as annual leave. They can either deduct a day from what they're paying you out or not.

Is it in your company handbook/contract that you can't take AL during your notice period? If not then they've made it up to inconvenience you. No workplace has ever been 'disrupted' (what does that even mean?) by someone taking AL during their notice - many companies mandate it!

Unless they have a good reason to deny you leave on that day (they've already admitted they don't) they shouldn't be treating you differently just because you're leaving. Send your boss an email telling him you're taking AL, copy HR in and mention that you feel bullied by their previous statement.

Be prepared that they might then ask you to take all your remaining leave though...

I’d be willing to take it all!

They’re 100% punishing me for handing my notice in. But their reasoning is business reasons, so I don’t know if I really have a leg to stand on

OP posts:
Velmy · 10/07/2025 13:15

If you've got your new job, what's the issue?

Tell them you're taking it as annual leave. They can either deduct a day from what they're paying you out or not.

Is it in your company handbook/contract that you can't take AL during your notice period? If not then they've made it up to inconvenience you. No workplace has ever been 'disrupted' (what does that even mean?) by someone taking AL during their notice - many companies mandate it!

Unless they have a good reason to deny you leave on that day (they've already admitted they don't) they shouldn't be treating you differently just because you're leaving. Send your boss an email telling him you're taking AL, copy HR in and mention that you feel bullied by their previous statement.

Be prepared that they might then ask you to take all your remaining leave though...

moose62 · 10/07/2025 13:14

D&V....Take at least three days off....

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 13:05

JoshLymanSwagger · 10/07/2025 12:59

Three months!

No, screw that. Just pull a sickie as and when.
They can always put you on Garden Leave.

Chill out 🍹

I wish they would! They’re just refusing to be reasonable about this at all

OP posts:
JoshLymanSwagger · 10/07/2025 12:59

Three months!

No, screw that. Just pull a sickie as and when.
They can always put you on Garden Leave.

Chill out 🍹

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 12:54

Opaldiamonds · 10/07/2025 12:53

If you are really unhappy there and can’t bare the thought of sticking it out could you have an honest chat with them and ask to leave earlier than your notice period? I have had friends do this

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I suggested this to them and they said no. Because of a funding agreement with them they can deduct a certain % of my pay now that my notice has been handed in, so to them I’m essentially very cheap labour for the next three months!

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Dangermoo · 10/07/2025 12:54

If your new job is in the bag, with reference given, I'd say fuck em. If they want to be awkward, tough. Enjoy your day off!

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 12:54

ilovesooty · 10/07/2025 12:53

You're seemingly going to do it anyway so I'm not sure why you asked.

Because if someone came along and said there would be huge legal repercussions of course I wouldn’t!

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Opaldiamonds · 10/07/2025 12:53

TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 12:46

The day off? I just want to relax. This job is doing my head in, and the way I’ve been treated since handing my notice in has been horrid

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If you are really unhappy there and can’t bare the thought of sticking it out could you have an honest chat with them and ask to leave earlier than your notice period? I have had friends do this

ilovesooty · 10/07/2025 12:53

You're seemingly going to do it anyway so I'm not sure why you asked.

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 12:49

Summertime62 · 10/07/2025 12:47

Take a few days. It’s more believable…

I’m not sure how many days would be believable lol

OP posts:
Summertime62 · 10/07/2025 12:47

Take a few days. It’s more believable…

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 12:46

Opaldiamonds · 10/07/2025 12:45

Is it an important day?

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The day off? I just want to relax. This job is doing my head in, and the way I’ve been treated since handing my notice in has been horrid

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Opaldiamonds · 10/07/2025 12:45

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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Is it an important day?

Original poster
TwinTantrums · 10/07/2025 12:44

FarmGirl78 · 10/07/2025 12:43

If you've already asked for that day and they've said no, and you don't pitch up then obviously they'll know you're lying. Even if you've already handed your notice in they could dismiss you for gross misconduct. Unlikely, but still a possibility. It's your call. I always find that appealing to someone's better nature often works when you think it won't, but you not want to entertain that.

I’ve asked more generally, not about this particular day

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