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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Throwing a sickie

111 replies

lechatnoir · 30/08/2012 19:23

Sorry not an AIBU as I know throwing a sickie isn't right but I need tomorrow & Saturday off work but can't take annual leave & don't know what to say that will sound plausible without the need for an Oscar winning performance on the phone in the morning or when I return to work on Monday! I've honestly never chucked a sickie & I'm terrified they'll see through me.
Anyone?

OP posts:
Ilovesunflowers · 30/08/2012 19:24

Why do you NEED the day off? Is it more important than having a job?

scentednappyhag · 30/08/2012 19:24

What do you need the time off for? Would it count as emergency parental leave?

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/08/2012 19:30

Swap with someone?

Harrypie · 30/08/2012 19:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bobbledunk · 30/08/2012 19:36

Just pretend you're really sick with the flu and you don't want to make other people ill. Don't be scared, get into the role, ring them, perform, then enjoy your days off.

Original poster
lechatnoir · 30/08/2012 19:37

Cant be too specific in case I out myself but I've been given a last minute cancellation tomorrow for something I've been waiting to hear about for months and it involves an overnight stay that would also prevent me going in Saturday

OP posts:
headfairy · 30/08/2012 19:39

OP if you've previously requested leave for these days and been turned down be very careful pulling a sickie. There's nothing more obvious if someone goes sick on a day they'd been trying to get off.

Toombs · 30/08/2012 19:41

Don't do it, if you are found out it's grounds for instant dismissal.

tinkertitonk · 30/08/2012 19:41

I'm sure that your employer is glad to have someone with your attitude and that you cannot be replaced easily.

MrsKeithRichards · 30/08/2012 19:43

Some sort of stomach bug, mention the d word, no one argues with that.

TheTermagantToaster · 30/08/2012 19:44

Paralympics? I wouldn't do it.

dikkertjedap · 30/08/2012 19:44

Don't do it, it is grounds for instant dismissal. Not worth it.

WorraLiberty · 30/08/2012 19:45

Is it a recreational event?

complexnumber · 30/08/2012 19:48

Can you not just get a couple of unpaid days' leave?

SauvignonBlanche · 30/08/2012 19:50

Don't do it!

EmmalinaC · 30/08/2012 19:52

I wouldn't do it especially if I'd been refused annual leave already.

And having listened to endless excuses over the years, I would say it is usually possible to tell when someone is pulling a sickie (even without the help of facebook Grin) and although you probably wouldn't get instantly dismissed, it certainly won't do you any favours.

What exactly is the event? There are other types of leave that cover some situations...

Original poster
lechatnoir · 30/08/2012 20:33

I haven't asked for leave as i knew i didnt have any left & they only allow parental leave with more notice & in week blocks hence not considering either option plus this has only happened in the last few days. It relates to a future job opportunity which I why I can't be upfront about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
lechatnoir · 30/08/2012 20:35

TTT - no but ironically it also means missing going to the Paralympics as I had tickets to go after work tomorrow

OP posts:
HappyAsChips · 30/08/2012 20:42

Why can't you be honest with your employer and simply offer to take the time unpaid? They might be more understanding than you expect, even if it does relate to a future job opportunity. My Dh is a company Director and gets mightily pissed off when people throw sickies (like he and the other directors don't know when they're lying Hmm. They've fired people over it.

SauvignonBlanche · 30/08/2012 20:45

I once got asked for a referance for someone who just been off sick, I smelled a rat and checked when the interview had been - the day she'd been off sick!

Cherubim · 30/08/2012 20:46

Dependency leave is unpaid and taken last minute for childcare purposes. I wouldn't lie about
my kids being ill though, I'm too superstitious. You could say that your childcare has fallen through?

Original poster
lechatnoir · 30/08/2012 20:49

I have no problem taking it as unpaid but don't want to risk them saying no & as I've never heard of them agree to any unauthorised or leave that wasn't pre-booked I can't risk it. I'm sounding melodramatic I know but I simply cannot miss this opportunity as I'm likely to be out of a job soon anyway (long boring unrelated reasons), we are totally skint & pushing up our o/draft to the limit & this could really turn our fortunes around.

OP posts:
Toombs · 30/08/2012 20:51

Be honest, you would require it of someone working for you. You might be surprised at the reaction.

CumberdickBendybatch · 30/08/2012 20:53

Family emergency. Late call, panicked message etc

emsyj · 30/08/2012 20:57

Is your job something that requires particular numbers of bums on seats, as it were - so that you would need someone to cover your missed hours? Or is it more autonomous stuff that it would be up to you to catch up on? If it's a case of physically needing someone there, you could ask a few colleagues if they could cover for you - would be harder to turn down a request for unpaid leave if you present them with the solution to who will cover for you at the same time.