Just a wee bit irritated with DS

[fourpeasinapod]

Hello

Ds works in Sainsbury’s as a student job, normally Friday and Saturday.

He rang in sick on Friday morning and was off both Friday and Saturday past, he said he had a head cold and didn’t want to risk coming in which is BS because there is not a thing wrong with him.

I asked him why he didn’t go to work and he said he’s afraid of working on the checkouts and catching the virus from somebody.

I know his point, but I can’t walk away from my job as I’m a care assistant and I could get it too. No other NHS employee can just ring in sick either.

I’m just a tad pissed off with him. Just needed to get it off my chest.

What age of student are we talking about? I would be inclined to wrap my children in bubble wrap and keep them in the house for three months, but I don't know what it's like to have an adult child.

I work in adult social care and we have 3 people off sick who I'm fairly sure aren't - they have form. We get tested (abroad) and they have been tested, all negative (we had to be told as we had to follow different procedure until they'd been tested and obviously could go back to normal following negative results). They're all still off.

All very well except it means that the rest of us have to cover their shifts. In my experience the ones most protective of themselves are the least vulnerable with the fewest other responsibilities.

Everyone is scared if they think about it but when some people decide they're too special to be put at risk, someone else has to take their place.

So I'm with you. I don't think anyone should be pushed into a supermarket or caring job they didn't already have, but if you were already doing the role a month ago togh, you keep going in unless genuinely high risk or genuinely ill.

@Onceateacher he’s 19

He should probably resign then as I believe there are people looking for jobs and someone else could have his. 19 is pretty going to expect him to step up. Wouldn't he also be increasing your own risk if he works?

@Onceateacher he can’t resign as he has car finance to pay off

Well then he needs to decide what to do this coming Friday, work or leave.

fourpeasinapod he has to go to work then doesn't he. Or return his car. Pretty obvious.

One of my colleagues complains endlessly about working full time being stressful, and calls in sick a lot. She resents part timers for working less hours. Suggestions that she cut down her hours and cancel her gym membership, drive a cheaper car, consider whether she needs to pay city center rent or could move out of the center given we work outside the city, and cut back on the holidays are met with indignation. She feels deeply hard done by because she wants to work part time for full time pay... Regardless of the fact she wants something nobody has...

Work or return the car. It’s lucky he doesn’t have children to feed like I imagine a lot of his colleagues do.

@anothernotherone yes I know that. I’ve said I’m irritated with him because he’s being stupid.

He can’t return the car. It’s a 4 year PCP.

Well that was bloody silly. Not much good telling him that though now I guess.
He’s got no choice then.
Is he paying rent/housekeeping?

@FlamingoAndJohn I know, my thoughts exactly. No he lives at home with DH and I. He only pays his car finance, fuel, insurance, tax/MOT and mobile phone bill / gym membership etc

I kind of understand. A lot of keyworkers feel like lambs to the slaughter and poorly protected at work. Supermarket staff don’t generally have the mindset of those who have trained for the caring professions, either. Hopefully by his next shift there will be some established safety protocols in place, making him safer, or he can choose to resign (returning the car if needed.) I think that, in time, we all need to put on our big boy/girl pants on and accept we are going to get it. All the steps being put in place are to make sure we don’t all get it at once and overwhelm the emergency services.

We've NHS staff off sick, I'm pretty sure they are not all sick. It pisses me off as it means a lot more work for the rest of us. One rang in, started off talking in her normal voice then obviously remembered and started coughing and croaking.

I work in a supermarket, lots off 'sick' and others still in but hysterical Facebook rants about crying going to work while everyone else gets to stay safe at home

I know its worrying but work is work, take the precautions we can and try to get more in place. I've successfully been able to change my working pattern so I'm not in contact with as many customers. Obviously not applicable to checkouts but ours have measures in place. I would be irritated too.

@GetThePartyStarted yeah DS’ attitude is disgusting.

He said he won’t be going this weekend either. Honestly fed up.

@GetTheStartyParted do you know if they’ll ask for medical evidence of his absence?

He’ll end up getting fired

I guess he needs to know he’s risking dismissal?

@StrawberryJam200 he deserves it with this behaviour

@fourpeasinapod I'm not sure sorry, things are obviously different at the moment but I haven't needed to find out that information.

I'm guessing he will need something as it's over a week but I have seen that my doctors surgery are issuing guidance on obtaining sick notes as they are snowed under. Sorry I can't help more.

You can do your own self-isolation certificates.

@Standrewsschool would that cause problems if he genuinely needed to self isolate in the future though? He won't be able to isolate for the duration will he?

official notes

I'd be more than a tad pissed off.

The best way for him to learn is to suffer the financial consequences of his behaviour though.

If he doesn’t want to work he needs to resign so that someone who does can.

I’m a supermarket employee and yes while there’s increased risk they’re doing their best to keep us all safe.

I am immensely grateful that I’ve got a job to go to at the moment. A part to play. It’s not much compared to the truly heroic NHS staff and other frontline workers but it’s my little contribution. Glad to be able to still pay tax and contribute.

I get that he’s nervous. I’m a teacher volunteering with key workers children and I must say, I’m not thrilled about it. I didn’t sign up to put my health at risk and it isn’t obligatory. But, it is what it is and if all the key workers shirked responsibility, then we would be in a right mess.

It does annoy me though because I could have put money on which of my colleagues would step up and volunteer and which ones would slink off. 19 is still young enough to change and grow up, but it would annoy me too OP that he is part of the group that tries to slink off.