WIBU to speak to manager about colleagues coming into work when they are s

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

I have a primary immunodeficiency, as well as taking immunosuppressive medication for an autoimmune condition. I also have other complex health problems and I am disabled as defined by the Equality Act.

My manager has begun to make "you're off sick a lot" comments and talking about an Occy Health referral and further adjustments, which I understand and have accepted. I totally see it from their view and have nothing bad to say about my employer. I'm nowhere near official disciplinary stages, although I worry that I am edging towards that if my health doesn't improve

I'm a bit miffed at colleagues who insist on coming into the office when they are clearly unwell. I'm not talking about simple colds. They come in, cough, splutter and moan about their temperatures whilst looking hideous but refuse any suggestion that they should be at home. Frustratingly, people come in with stomach bugs too. I wouldn't mind but we are encouraged to work from home, so they don't have to be in the office. I totally understand that my colleagues have responsibilities and bills to pay

I don't know what I would gain from telling my manager this because he is aware that people come in when they shouldn't. I just feel like he should be aware that sometimes I am catching bugs from fellow colleagues.

I'm totally 50-50 on whether I should even say the words; "I am catching infections from colleagues". I'm open to being told I'm BU. I'm also keen to hear suggestions from other people who've been in my shoes. I really love my job and I'd hate not to work. Mentally, it's really important to me.

Thanks Boogers .

Yes yes, taking the piss out of a person with a serious immune system disease is hilarious.

I accepted the Occ Health referral. I'm just waiting for my appointment now. I may temporarily drop my hours further. It's been a particularly unpleasant few months health-wise and I don't think I'm giving myself enough time to recover before returning.

Boogers - really? My immune system is not working fine, and I'm just trying to avoid neutropenic sepsis. I don't have the neutrophils to fight anything off so yes, I don't like people with obvious chest infections etc near me

OP I would maybe think about raising the issue of you having a condition that means you will take more sick leave than others with your manager and ask if the absence management policy can be adjusted accordingly.

Under the Equalities Act, an employer has to make " reasonable adjustments" to the workplace in order to allow a person who has a condition that is classed as a disability to have the same access and opportunities as others.

So in your case, for example, applying a blanket absence management policy will penalise you because you need to take more time off sick than others. The "reasonable adjustment" that your employer can make would be to apply a different set of criteria before your absence level becomes a disciplinary matter - eg if the regular trigger is four absences or ten days in twelve months, they could adjust it so that they only speak to you after say eight absences and twenty days or whatever. An OH assessment may help with this.

OH In addition to what others have said, your manager is legally required to provide you with a safe working environment. Given your declared health issues, this includes ensuring that your exposure to germs, viruses, etc., is minimised. Please ask how they intend to do this.

Funny how a lot of these organisations dont seem to care about the risks posed to ppl with serious illnesses like leukemia and cancer by ppl coming in when they shouldnt but as soon as theres a chance to hold a Macmillan coffee morning the same organisations cant wait to participate!

Stinks of hypocrisy. Gives them a chance to pretend they care by eating cake a couple of times a year!

I'd mention it and I think the Occupational health referral is a good thing as they'll be able to make reasonable adjustments or at least alter the sick policy for your circumstances. I take immunesuppressants too and it's a bloody nightmare when people come in with their lurgis It's a horrible, vunerable situation to be in but people can be very unsympathetic and selfish.

** or scared of sanctions themselves

It's a tricky one. I (and everyone in my office) have the ability to wfh (and it really can be genuinely done from home)...but nobody ever does unless there's an absolute emergency. It looks really really bad and I'd be scared to do that more than maybe a day/year. But this problem starts with management. So I think you should say something to maybe ask them to make it clear that ppl can and should use the wfh option and that they won't be penalized for it.

YANBU and i really feel for you.
Employers need to realise that people need to take time off when they are sick and not expect them to be in work.
This added to the number who will work when ill so they are ok to have sick days with their children it's understandable, but not fair on people in your situation OP.
I see it in my work all the time, we don't get sick pay so you come in whether well or not.

Boogers I genuinely have no idea what you are talking about. I didn't report you because I think you were totally bizarre and I'm not sure you are even reading my thread! I have not complained about services. In fact, I went out of my way to praise my employers and say how much I like my colleagues.

I don't "just" have an immunodeficiency btw, I have lots of complex health problems and I manage to get on just fine. I've had a tough winter with lots of bugs, that's all, and I'd like to keep my job. I've not particularly asked for reasonable adjustments before either.

Actually, I don't know why I'm defending myself to you. Fuck that, life's too short.

Thank you for the helpful replies and suggestions. I'll phone tomorrow and chase up that Occ Health referral. I'm almost certainly going to apply for a temporary flexible working request. Maybe I could do that for 3 months and then I'm over the worst.

Yanbu. It's ridiculously selfish. Especially if they have the option to work from home.
I have had a horrible stomach bug and a horrible flu-y cold this month. Each time I worked from home for a few days. It's the least we can all do to stop infections rampaging round the office

Ps I have an auto immune problem. It's crappy enough without other factors on top of that. Huge kudos to you for keeping going.

How do you get to work Candy?

How do you interact with colleagues?

How do you do your shopping?

Yeah, I'm being a dick because I think you're overplaying this. It's someone with a hangover, and you're wanting to cry ill off work...

Look, I'm sorry that I've caused offence, but it's a random person with a gippy tummy. I guarantee you will have come into contact with much more than 'gippy tummy'. You'll be fine. Wash your hands well, use an alcohol gel if you need to, be wary on public transport (use a mask if needs be - they're common where I live), have blood tests if you're feeling symptomatic.

You'll be fine. Sorry for being a dick.

at "cry ill off work". You have no idea!!I've been genuinely ill when I've been off. Yes, you're a massive dick. You said it.

Yes darling, I am a dick and a shit.

Clearly I offended you in a previous life because you're acting bizarrely. You're talking about things I never even said. Weird.

You reiterated me saying I'm a dick and added that I'm a shit. You said it. Are you ok?
.

Sorry, I was wrong. I said you said I was a shit. What you actually said was I'm a complete and utter shit.

Are you still awake?

You have received good advice from several perspectives on this thread. Do you want to stick at that or keep arguing with some random person on the internet BECAUSE I'M RIGHT AND I WILL NOT BACK DOWN?