Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pull a sicky or tell the truth? Wwyd

107 replies

Subwaysalad1 · 11/08/2023 22:15

DS has a photoshoot next week for a huge fashion brand. I won’t be able to take a day off because other colleague is already off.

Huge opportunity for him would hate for him to miss out just because of my rubbish job.

They called me today and I had to confirm It within the hour before it was offered to someone else.

would you ask for the day off and most likely
get rejected. Or “pull a sicky”

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Fruitynutcase · 16/08/2023 10:33

Put your family and your health over any employer

toomuchlaundry · 13/08/2023 00:02

Well if you are happy to pull a sickie then it’s not much of a leap to take your child’s money as well.

Original poster
Subwaysalad1 · 12/08/2023 23:21

DS has been modelling since he was 4 this is quite a high paid job compared to others he has done and no I’m not pocketing his money how terrible!

I want him to have as many opportunities as possible. He loves his football and modelling and until he says he doesn’t want to do it anymore I will continue to support him.

OP posts:
JockTamsonsBairns · 12/08/2023 22:22

I'm quite surprised that a 6yo really enjoys modelling.
My DS2 did it for a short while when he was a similar age. It was incredibly boring - hours and hours of sitting around, then having to perform 'on cue'.
He did it three times because he was quite excited about the money, but it was so hugely exploitative, and the industry just felt a bit crass.
I pulled him out after the third shoot, and he was relieved.
I wouldn't recommend it.

SpringIntoChaos · 12/08/2023 22:00

Subwaysalad1 · 11/08/2023 22:22

Hubby isn’t his biological dad they put the parents name down on his child’s working license from what’s on the birth certificate.

Yes of course they do...but that doesn't mean that you are the only person who can chaperone!! Good lord...you really do need to understand more about this world if you intend to be a part of it OP.

SpringIntoChaos · 12/08/2023 21:54

Whilst you can of course just pull a sickie...and cross your fingers that you won't get found out...you also have the option of paying a registered child chaperone! Both my girls modelled when they were children and I regularly hired a registered chaperone. It's very common! I couldn't take time off work (teacher!) so unless their assignments were in the school holidays, a chaperone was the answer!

Lots and lots of child models and actors are accompanied by chaperones. So please don't make out that you really don't have any other options...you do!

DamnUserName21 · 12/08/2023 18:58

Take a sick day. You will not get leave approved at such short notice and with other staff member being off.

Jellycat43 · 12/08/2023 17:31

Doingtheboxerbeat · 12/08/2023 17:25

How does a thread that starts with pulling a sickie end up being about bashing child models and their parents? So much bitterness 😔.

Agree - some awful comments. Why can't people be happy for others?

Go along and have a wonderful day both of you x

Doingtheboxerbeat · 12/08/2023 17:25

How does a thread that starts with pulling a sickie end up being about bashing child models and their parents? So much bitterness 😔.

coreas · 12/08/2023 12:20

Subwaysalad1 · 12/08/2023 00:48

DS loves his modelling it’s probably the only thing that he really enjoys!!

Sicky it is

I would spend some time working with him to try and find more realistic, fun and normal things for him to enjoy. You won't need a sickie for it either, just your usual day off.

sunglassesonthetable · 12/08/2023 12:14

I really don't think you've got it quite right about the chaperone thing OP.

But the its probably too late to change that if the licenses have been issued.

When I've worked in situations with child actors /models they have been chaperoned by grandparents, step parents, uncles, aunts , etc

Check again.

Un7breakable · 12/08/2023 12:13

Any adult can usually chaperone, you may need to write a letter authorising it and let the production company know.

Jellycat43 · 12/08/2023 12:11

Go sick - life is too short to miss stuff like this

sunglassesonthetable · 12/08/2023 12:04

^*I find that really sad.
He’s 6
There should be loads of things he really enjoys.
I’m not even against child modelling or it being his favourite thing. But an occasional photo shoot is all he really enjoys?
You need to start doing more with your kid 🤷🏻‍♀️

And get “hubby” to take the day off.*^
^
Really?

That judgemental.

You know what he needs to be doing?
^

Testina · 12/08/2023 10:09

@Subwaysalad1 “DS loves his modelling it’s probably the only thing that he really enjoys!!”

I find that really sad.
He’s 6
There should be loads of things he really enjoys.
I’m not even against child modelling or it being his favourite thing. But an occasional photo shoot is all he really enjoys?
You need to start doing more with your kid 🤷🏻‍♀️

And get “hubby” to take the day off.

billyt · 12/08/2023 10:05

Posted twice to make sure I'm understood Grin

billyt · 12/08/2023 10:05

AuntMarch · 12/08/2023 09:33

@billyt "I have never, ever pulled a sicky and haven't had a single day off when actually sick in over 25 year."

I'm glad you don't sit next to me at work!

No, I meant I haven't actually been sick to need a day off of work.

It's the way I've worded it Grin

billyt · 12/08/2023 10:04

AuntMarch · 12/08/2023 09:33

@billyt "I have never, ever pulled a sicky and haven't had a single day off when actually sick in over 25 year."

I'm glad you don't sit next to me at work!

No, I meant I haven't actually been sick to need a day off of work.

It's the way I've worded it Grin

billyt · 12/08/2023 10:03

Spacemoon · 12/08/2023 08:48

You say that like it's a badge of honor.

To most employers you are simply a number, a very replaceable one at that. Unless you're a top lifesaving surgeon or have a skill set nobody else in your entire field has, you might not be as important as you seem to think. There really is no pride in going into work sick, in fact that's pretty selfish for everyone around you.

OP, pull a sicky. It's a one off. (I'm assuming you'll look into arranging chaperones with the agency going forward when you have more time). Especially if you're someone who usually has great attendance, most people in reality, not the warped MN, would be pulling a sicky in your position! Ignore the majority of people on here who are acting like pulling a sicky is equivalent to murdering a puppy. They are either arse lickers, deluded or, most likely managers - the bad type of manager who cannot possibly cope when they have to actually manage a team, or God forbid do some extra work their selves when things crop up.

Show quote history

From your response I guess you're someone who will pull a sickie at the drop of a hat. Warped to say be honest? Arse lickers to do what you are being paid to do? Deluded?

And why does it make someone a bad manager when their team is left short because someone decides to take an unnecessary day off because they want to? You make it sound like Managers are sitting around twiddling their thumbs.

That is one hell of a chip on your shoulder, I'd take the day off if I were you.

And nothing to do about a badge of honour, of course not. I'm just one of the lucky one who don't need days of when sick. I object to people who pull 'sickies' at the drop of a hat, and usually because they are lazy or something that is not that important happens on a day they re supposed to be working. Fine of you're on a zero hours contract, just don't let people down.

rosiebl · 12/08/2023 09:53

Can't you pull a part day sickie and try to get some of your job done while you are there?

alwaysbelieveinyourself · 12/08/2023 09:53

Subwaysalad1 · 11/08/2023 22:22

Hubby isn’t his biological dad they put the parents name down on his child’s working license from what’s on the birth certificate.

My daughter does modelling.

My husband (not her birth father) has taken her before!

cansu · 12/08/2023 09:52

This doesn't seem like the kind of situation for this. It isn't an emergency or really important at all.child modelling is not important. Yes your son will earn some money from it. If it is because it is worth a lot of money then be honest. If you didn't mention it to him or told him it was cancelled he really wouldn't care given he is 6.

toomuchlaundry · 12/08/2023 09:48

Will you also be pocketing the money your DS earns?

Topee · 12/08/2023 09:47

I loathe childhood modelling, so I vote go to work and save your son from the horrible industry!

AuntMarch · 12/08/2023 09:33

@billyt "I have never, ever pulled a sicky and haven't had a single day off when actually sick in over 25 year."

I'm glad you don't sit next to me at work!

Swipe left for the next trending thread