Page 12 | Why oh why do people turn up to work when they’re poorly?! 😡😡😡

tinytemper66 · 30/09/2025 21:34

Sometimes it is less work to be in Work than to be at home sorting out work…

Umbrella15 · 30/09/2025 21:56

slippedawaylikeabottleofwine · 29/09/2025 11:42

I’m in the NHS. She’s been here ten years, so gets something like six months fully paid sick leave.

I also work in the nhs, and yes you do get 6 month sick pay BUT, if your off more than 3 times in a 12 month period, then you get a warning. If your off again after that, your sacked. Seen it myself with work colleagues

XenoBitch · 30/09/2025 21:59

Umbrella15 · 30/09/2025 21:56

I also work in the nhs, and yes you do get 6 month sick pay BUT, if your off more than 3 times in a 12 month period, then you get a warning. If your off again after that, your sacked. Seen it myself with work colleagues

Edited

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Yes, I got to that stage... and it is not pretty. A full panel of managers and HR. Was 9 of us in the room. 3 on my side (me, union rep and a scribe), 6 on theirs.
Lasted a day and was awful.

MrsOlderButWiser · 30/09/2025 22:10

My DH went in to work this morning feeling ill with a cold. Back home by 9am. I told him his symptoms were COVID. I put up with the paddy when I asked him to test. Finally he tested and got a positive this evening. He apparently was in a meeting with a colleague who tested positive over the weekend. Now there's two of us on COVID watch at home and how many people did he have contact with yesterday and today including his travel buddy for work who he gives a lift to........ Why fgs? Stay at home and that includes my DH.

IDontHateRainbows · 30/09/2025 22:13

I work in public sector and the ridiculously generous sick pay is actually only generous if youre off long term as one long absence. Otherwise people would be off all the time so the triggers are very tight and the screws tighten the more you are off. You can end up on a stage 3 and only allowed one absence in 12 months before potential dismissal. Not that I've seen many dismissal ( work in HR) usually they reissue the stage but its a massive waste of everyone's time with a big panel hearing.

Artless · 30/09/2025 22:18

Probably felt okay when they got up because they were still half drunk. Wears off quickly though.

neighboursmustliveon · 30/09/2025 22:24

I’ve worked public sector for 24 years so pay has not been an issues, but my jobs have never been covers unless you are off long term so if I’m not working I have to try and catch up that work when I get back. Therefore I will come to work unless I physically can’t. I’m lucky now that I can work from home so if I’m ill I opt for that but for many years, that was not an option!

Bex1805 · 30/09/2025 22:35

Sadly, a lot of businesses have sickness and absence policies that ensure people are sacked for having more than a couple of instances! If you do phone in sick, they treat you like a criminal, don’t pay you and chuck you in a disciplinary meeting just because they either don’t believe you, don’t care or just think you should still come in - even when they send you home, some places then refuse to pay you too. Yes, there are times when people fake it but I’m sure that’s few and far between. Unfortunately this is something that needs sorting by the government to get a procedural change. Just like SMP, SSP is as useful as a chocolate teapot!

Storynanny1 · 30/09/2025 22:37

I dreaded ever having to call my head teacher at 7 am to say I was too ill for school, so unless it was D and V I usually went in. I could hear the sigh in her voice when she answered the phone, knowing it would cost the school £100+ to get a supply teacher in. My colleagues and I regularly worked through migraines, laryngitis, cystitis - not much fun with a class of 5 year olds!

Daisymay1000 · 30/09/2025 23:02

slippedawaylikeabottleofwine · 29/09/2025 11:34

I hate it. My colleague turned up, whinged about how sick she felt for two hours, then threw up in the middle of the carpet and went home. She admitted she’d been feeling poorly all weekend. There’s no excuse for it

Cause your only allowed a certain amount of sick days before your on a disciplinary and then potentially sacked? Blame the employer not the colleague

SheSpeaks · 30/09/2025 23:10

I’ve never qualified for sick pay of any type, even SSP. Or been paid holiday pay. In any job I’ve ever had.

So I go to work no matter what.

Am I happy about it? No. Is it going to change? Also no.

ThisMellowCat · 01/10/2025 05:54

Because of sickness policies in companies today. My daughter turned up at work not well at all, because she had been off sick prior to this, and the ridiculous percentage based sickness a lot of workplaces have today, was already on a notice for being off with something else in the 12 months prior.
she was literally being sick in front of her desk when she was forcibly told she had to go home, they could see she wasn’t well and it would override any sickness policy.
when she had her return to work they sacked her because her percentage had gone over. Ridiculous policies that companies have today, gone are the days when common sense had a place and every case was looked at solely on reason.
so that’s why people go to work ill.

BatchCookBabe · 01/10/2025 08:54

Yes @ThisMellowCat - absolutely! ^

I don't know exactly when this nonsense started, and as I said, my DH has had the shitty, brutal little first letter, 'having words' with him about having soooooooo much time off. (2 days in July 2024, then 2 days in June 2025.) Prior to that he had had 3-4 days off in about 7 years!!!) But apparently it's because he's had 2 different 'sick periods' within a 12 month period of time. 🙄

What the actual F? So even if you have ONE day off in say, February 2025, then ONE day off in January 2026, you will get a warning letter. Or if you have already had a warning letter, you will very likely receive a disiplinary - and a final warning. (And then the sack the next time if you're ill before 12 months is up!!!)

He has been there 17 years and been a good and loyal employee. Always been on National Minimum Wage, never taken the piss, worked all through Summer holidays and Easter holidays etc, so people can have time with the kids etc, and has picked up the slack from the employees who are bone idle, and worked extra shifts when they're busy.

To be honest, he was actually very hurt by this letter, and also worried. He's nearly 60, and his health isn't what it was. He has aches and pains and various ailments, and there's no guarantee that he won't be sick/ill again before next July!

He is convinced they are trying to sack him, because he's 'old' (his words) and they want younger people in who they can pay less, and manipulate. DH does the job well, but doesn't tolerate being pushed around, and he is assertive, and doesn't take any shit, and they don't like that. However, reading this thread, it looks like this '2 sick-periods within a 12 month period leads to a warning' bollocks is a thing now for many...

In every job I've had, this has never been a thing - and I don't know when it started. I have never had any kind of 'warning' for sick time off. I mean, I never had a lot really, but I am sure I had years when I would have had 2 separate 'sick periods' in the space of 12 months. I was salaried/white collar worker in a fairly skilled job though, and I got full pay even when I was off sick. DH is in an unskilled, hourly paid job, and only gets paid SSP. Is it only my DH's type of job? I don't know, because I am self employed now and have been for a decade, so I'm out of the loop a bit. So does this affect all employees now?

And serious question, is it even legal?! Sacking someone who has been off sick/ill? It's fucking nasty and cruel. DH thanks God he will be retiring soon. As I said in my post a couple of days ago, he said even if he has covid, flu, a sickness bug, dysentery, ebola, or diptheria, he is going in! 'Be careful what you wish for' he said (about his employer.)

TheExcitersblowingupmymind · 01/10/2025 09:06

BatchCookBabe · 01/10/2025 08:54

Yes @ThisMellowCat - absolutely! ^

I don't know exactly when this nonsense started, and as I said, my DH has had the shitty, brutal little first letter, 'having words' with him about having soooooooo much time off. (2 days in July 2024, then 2 days in June 2025.) Prior to that he had had 3-4 days off in about 7 years!!!) But apparently it's because he's had 2 different 'sick periods' within a 12 month period of time. 🙄

What the actual F? So even if you have ONE day off in say, February 2025, then ONE day off in January 2026, you will get a warning letter. Or if you have already had a warning letter, you will very likely receive a disiplinary - and a final warning. (And then the sack the next time if you're ill before 12 months is up!!!)

He has been there 17 years and been a good and loyal employee. Always been on National Minimum Wage, never taken the piss, worked all through Summer holidays and Easter holidays etc, so people can have time with the kids etc, and has picked up the slack from the employees who are bone idle, and worked extra shifts when they're busy.

To be honest, he was actually very hurt by this letter, and also worried. He's nearly 60, and his health isn't what it was. He has aches and pains and various ailments, and there's no guarantee that he won't be sick/ill again before next July!

He is convinced they are trying to sack him, because he's 'old' (his words) and they want younger people in who they can pay less, and manipulate. DH does the job well, but doesn't tolerate being pushed around, and he is assertive, and doesn't take any shit, and they don't like that. However, reading this thread, it looks like this '2 sick-periods within a 12 month period leads to a warning' bollocks is a thing now for many...

In every job I've had, this has never been a thing - and I don't know when it started. I have never had any kind of 'warning' for sick time off. I mean, I never had a lot really, but I am sure I had years when I would have had 2 separate 'sick periods' in the space of 12 months. I was salaried/white collar worker in a fairly skilled job though, and I got full pay even when I was off sick. DH is in an unskilled, hourly paid job, and only gets paid SSP. Is it only my DH's type of job? I don't know, because I am self employed now and have been for a decade, so I'm out of the loop a bit. So does this affect all employees now?

And serious question, is it even legal?! Sacking someone who has been off sick/ill? It's fucking nasty and cruel. DH thanks God he will be retiring soon. As I said in my post a couple of days ago, he said even if he has covid, flu, a sickness bug, dysentery, ebola, or diptheria, he is going in! 'Be careful what you wish for' he said (about his employer.)

Edited

That's a terrible state of affairs, employer's don't own us.I agree his age will be against him even though it shouldn't.
I'm ages with your husband,my last job before redundancy,I had to txt before shift, phone at 8.30 am , then phone again at 2.30 pm to update..a bad chest infection doesn't clear in a few hours and it was one where hospital admission was considered.
I started going in a 2hr commute one way to prove I was ill just to be sent home again.

BatchCookBabe · 01/10/2025 09:25

TheExcitersblowingupmymind · 01/10/2025 09:06

That's a terrible state of affairs, employer's don't own us.I agree his age will be against him even though it shouldn't.
I'm ages with your husband,my last job before redundancy,I had to txt before shift, phone at 8.30 am , then phone again at 2.30 pm to update..a bad chest infection doesn't clear in a few hours and it was one where hospital admission was considered.
I started going in a 2hr commute one way to prove I was ill just to be sent home again.

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Crazy isn't it?!

Laurmolonlabe · 01/10/2025 10:22

Be grateful you have never been in a job that demands you to go in even if you are ill.
I have worked in jobs that if you can physically get into work you have to go.
In jobs like those you don't have the chance to express how bad you feel- people say oh you don't look great when you tell them, but then it's business as usual.

Snakebite61 · 01/10/2025 10:55

slippedawaylikeabottleofwine · 29/09/2025 11:34

I hate it. My colleague turned up, whinged about how sick she felt for two hours, then threw up in the middle of the carpet and went home. She admitted she’d been feeling poorly all weekend. There’s no excuse for it

What a stupid post. Are you rich?
People feel they need to go in sick just to get sent home legitimately.
God help us if reform get in. No protection in the workplace whatsoever.

Deboragh · 01/10/2025 13:02

MrsSkylerWhite · 29/09/2025 11:45

You’ve obviously never been taken suddenly unwell. Can’t always be helped.

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Agree, hardly the kind of thing you can plan for.

ThisMellowCat · 01/10/2025 13:47

Mad thing is you can be off 4 months and it’s still classed as one absence in my job. So either take the day or take the week/month still the same

IDontHateRainbows · 01/10/2025 13:53

ThisMellowCat · 01/10/2025 13:47

Mad thing is you can be off 4 months and it’s still classed as one absence in my job. So either take the day or take the week/month still the same

Yeah, it's mad that someone with 3 x 1 day absences where I work is considered worse than 1 x 3 month absence. I see my sick leave more as income protection now if the worst was to happen - serious illness, accident ect - which means I'd get pay for a couple of months. To take time for coughs/colds I would think twice.

IDontHateRainbows · 01/10/2025 13:54

Luckily where I work there is a 'wellbeing room' with a beanbag - supposed to be if you need some quiet time to yourself but can also be used if feeling unwell - so if needs be I can just lie down there for a bit.

Hush89 · 01/10/2025 14:35

slippedawaylikeabottleofwine · 29/09/2025 11:45

Nope, thankfully we’re not patient facing.

she has felt sick all weekend she said. I don’t see any of it as an excuse though because she’s now probably spread a bug to the whole department!

Feeling sick and being sick are completely different. If she had been sick over the weekend then I'd say that's a bit crappy on her part but if it's just feeling it then I see why she tried doing her shift

I've gone into work feeling crappy (but no other symptoms) completed a full Nightshift to then go home and find out I actually had sickness bug.. sometimes it can't be helped.

BatchCookBabe · 01/10/2025 15:13

ThisMellowCat · 01/10/2025 13:47

Mad thing is you can be off 4 months and it’s still classed as one absence in my job. So either take the day or take the week/month still the same

It's a special kind of batshit isn't it?

JustStopItNorasaurus · 01/10/2025 16:14

BatchCookBabe · 01/10/2025 15:13

It's a special kind of batshit isn't it?

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Absolutely insane.

TheAngryPuxie · 01/10/2025 16:18

As a teacher it's incredibly difficult to take time off and as much work to set cover work than to go in and teach. It disrupts you and the students and the staff who have to cover. You are made to feel incredibly guilty for being off and have to be practically dying to not come in. I don't know what profession you're in, but sometimes you just have to go in, and, in the school I taught in you only got a few days a year and then they stopped paying you.