Am I in trouble? Work sickness

[Prettypoppies50]

Name change for this.

I work for a small company with only a small number of staff. I've been there less then 2 years and the nature of the work means I need to stay late unpaid every day, rarely take a lunchbreak and also volunteeer at least 10 hours a month when the workload is a lot and we are really busy. Up until recently the only time off I'd had was 2 days last year with covid when government guidelines still insisted on isolation until negative.

I've had an ongoing medical problem which has resulted in several short hospital trips, however none of these have needed me to take any time off or for any working adjustments to be made on my behalf even though I've felt crap at times and gone into work regardless. This problem eventually esculated recently which resulted in an another hospital visit 3 weeks ago and 2 days off work as I was admitted for tests. 2 weeks ago I was rushed back in, had lots more tests this time which had some rather worrying results and ultimated in a lengthy stay and open surgery. I have now been signed off for 2 weeks.

So in all I will be off for 3 weeks. I have self certified for the first week, and have a sick note for the next 2. My manager is NOT happy. He has no staff cover for my work and being a small team means my absence will really be felt and will put a lot of extra work and pressure on others shoulders. I'm being asked to come in for a sickness review (whilst off sick) and noises are being made by him about me getting formal warnings etc.

None of this has been my fault. I did not have this condition when I started my job and it has never affected my work until this month. I had no idea I would need a major op and lots of time off. I have said I'm willing to do what I can from home but this offer has been rejected but at the same time I'm in trouble for having too much time off sick? Tbh my boss has form for over-reacting and being a complete arse and imo not really knowing what he is doing, but I have no idea if he is being unreasonable by demanding I come in 'for a chat' about my attendance record. When I had 2 days off for Covid I had to sign a fit for work agreement so am fully anticipating a lot of drama.

Can anyone offer any.. anything? I don't even know what I'm asking! Thank you.

Hand your notice in and get a new job.

Sorry I know that sounds facetious but honestly he sounds like a nightmare. Legally I don't believe he can make you go in whilst off sick and genuine sickness with a sick note (as you have) is unavoidable.

Oh and you shouldn't be working whilst off - this is your recovery time!

He should not be asking you to attend anything until you’re fit for work! Really unprofessional and sounds like an awful company to work for! Get another sick note and in the meantime look for a new job so you can hide yourself some time. Your health comes first, fuck him!

Don't agree to attend anything while you are signed off. What a knob.

Are you with a union? If so, speak to a rep. (If not, consider joining one, because even if you're lacking legal protections due to not being there that long, it's good to have that support for the future, whether in this job or another).

You can't help being ill and he's behaving very badly.

If they insist in a 'review' don't go into the office; make your line manager come to you or meet them somewhere neutral.

Only half my answer posted there.

Would your condition and its effects meet the criteria under the Equality Act 2010 to class you as having a disability? That might give you some protection from unlawful discrimination.

Is it manager or HR who would do the review?

If HR they will tell him he's being ridiculous.

He sounds a dick, and your job sounds excessive but you might love it, if you don't find another.

Would he be capable of a real conversation around your rights? I'd be very tempted to get as much of this pressure as possible in writing then when you find a new job demand compensation for constructive dismissal.

You can get a sick note for up to 28 weeks (I think that's right) if needed. And the doctor will only give you it if you actually need one, not just because you can't be bothered to go into work. You've just had an operation ffs, your boss is being a dick.

He shouldn't be asking you to come in for a review after 3 weeks especially because he knows why you're off too.

If you'd had a few months off, maybe a welfare check to check for any updates and when/if you plan on coming back but not because you've had to take a few weeks off with good reason. It's not like he wants a meeting because you're calling in sick every week.

If he wants a meeting make sure HR are there. Speak to Acas for their guidance. Been a small company I suspect there is no union.

But he is been ridiculous - might be worth revisiting your contract to make sure all bases are covered.

Keep a record of everything he says to you as you may need it. What kid of boss doesn't understand you can't work after an operation and nothing from him when you are doing lots of free overtime. You see what he is like. Move as soon as you can.

Thank you everyone for your advice.

The review would be with him as he is my line manager. He is very much a disliked member of staff just unfortunately not with the head honcho. He tends to dramatise everything and create issues where there are none. Apart from him I love my job and although all the unpaid overtime sounds really shitty, honestly it's not.. it's just hard to describe the work without being outing.

There is no union. But I have records of all conversations via email and messaging. I"ll see what happens. If there's any threatening of dismissal I'll resign. I'm not a pushover just unsure of the correct procedures here.

Hand your notice in as soon as you can and get a new job. Do not do anything while you are recovering.

The appalling way you are being treated now is only proving how much they value you - which is not at all. You shouldn't be giving them hours and hours of free work, and if he gave a shit he would realise how much money you have saved the business - at a minimum, I'd guess 520 hours over the course of a year, which if you are contracted to a 35 hour week equates to over 14 weeks of free work.

But he's busting your balls after an operation?!