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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be really worried about work?

106 replies

CaptainObviousTwo · 11/08/2017 12:39

I've been working at a new company in a junior role since early April. In that time I have taken sick leave on four different occasions. (5 days in total)

I came into work today feeling under the weather but just sucked it up, but very quickly deteriorated and ending up being sick. I only live ten mins from work but was too dizzy to drive so left my car there and was driven home. I was sick a few times, room is still a bit spinny and I really don't think I'd have been much good at work.

I missed a meeting last week as a dog that was living at my house (My Mum's whilst she was in hospital which is literally another thread in its own right) attacked my boyfriend and I had to take him to A+E.

This meeting is more of a "progress review" meeting for a project I'm leading with my team so inconvenient but not essential.

Problem is, that meeting is again this afternoon. I've spoken to our IT department and managed to get remote access to our conference call via my mobile and got a colleague to email me the spreadsheet I need to lead the meeting, I'll call in at 2 and take the meeting to try and minimise the disruption. I feel like death warmed up but fairly confident I can hold it together to not vomit during the half hour call.

I'm desperate to try and make amends for my repeated absence but feel like the damage has been done - I've been there for 4 months and been off sick as many times.

I've been told by several people, including my line manager, that my performance has been excellent but I'm sick with anxiety over having to take yet another day off.
They must think I'm taking the piss, or at the very least am a liability.

(I have passed my probation btw)

AIBU?

OP posts:
tiredbutFINE · 11/08/2017 13:37

These things happen. Speak to your manager and acknowledge that this level of absence is unusual for you, you are aware that you neeed to keep absence to a minimum and you will do what you can to improve.
People can't help being ill, but that fact that you are both clearly illl and conscientious enough to dial in for a meeting to keep it on track shows that you're not a pisstaker

StealthPolarBear · 11/08/2017 13:46

Is this level of absence unusual for you?

waitingforlifetostart · 11/08/2017 14:11

Just be open and upfront that you know your absence is high and you will do everything in your power to lower it. It is high. I've not had a day off in over two years which is quite normal I think.

SnowiestMountain · 11/08/2017 14:17

That is a high level of absence, but you know that, I'd address it with your manager and explain that this is an unusually high level of absence for you, (is it?) and you'll do everything you can to keep it to a minimum

MartinJD · 11/08/2017 14:47

5 days in total since April isn't a high level of absnce in my view, and considering you sound like you're doing well in the job i wouldn't give it a second though.

Cheers,
M.JD

Papafran · 11/08/2017 14:53

Thanks for that insight M.JD....

It is a high level of absence as it would equate to 15 days over the year (3 weeks) in total if it continued at this rate. You can't help being ill, but if it is something specific, get it checked out. I am sure that if you are doing well in your job, your employers will be fine about it.

MartinJD · 11/08/2017 14:56

Papafran : you're quite welcome.

"if" it continued at this rate you say. if's and buts....

Best,
M.JD

Mychildcouldnotbreaatfeed · 11/08/2017 14:58

Martin. Why are you signing off your posts in that very peculiar way? Is there a rationale behind it?

Gizlotsmum · 11/08/2017 14:58

That level of absence would trigger a review at my work place :(

Gottagetmoving · 11/08/2017 15:06

It would be a high level of absence if you were not really ill or did not have a really good reason.
We can't predict when we are going to be ill!

As long as you keep your employers informed then that's all you can do. You should not have to worry and stress about your job on top of being ill.
I don't understand why you would feel the need to make amends for being sick.

Steeley113 · 11/08/2017 15:07

I've been in my position the same amount of time and had no days off sick despite having unplanned surgery in June... do you normally have a lot of time off sick?

Babbitywabbit · 11/08/2017 15:08

Martin you need to familiarise yourself with the Bradford index

Best

Papafran · 11/08/2017 15:17

"if" it continued at this rate you say. if's and buts

Um okay, but the proportion of days off compared to days worked is the same as if she had 3 weeks off in a year was my point. You say it's not high absence, I and everyone else say it is.

It was also taken on four different occasions, which is worse than if it was a one-off. If I started a job and then came down with flu and had a week off, that is not the same as me taking a day off for a cold, a day off for a migraine, a day off for a stomach bug and two days off for dizziness. Can you not see the issue (I am suspecting no)?

MartinJD · 11/08/2017 15:18

Babbitywabbit: looks like a load of middle management gobbledygook to me.

People get sic from time to time. big deal.

Best,
M.JD

Papafran · 11/08/2017 15:20

Babbitywabbit: looks like a load of middle management gobbledygook to me

And that's probably why you have so much free time to write posts on here, Martin from your basement

Kind regards
Fran

KindleBueno · 11/08/2017 15:21

Sickness is understandable to an extent but taking your bf to A&E isn't. If he was single he would have to get himself there.

Mychildcouldnotbreaatfeed · 11/08/2017 15:22

Martin

It's sick not sic.

Yours pedantically

PurpleDaisies · 11/08/2017 15:26

People get sic [sic] from time to time. big deal.

That's a beautiful typo there. Ones like that don't turn up very often.

Pollydonia · 11/08/2017 15:28

Op in my workplace they would probably have an informal review , with any more sick leave in the next 6 months triggering a L1 disciplinary. I've worked at the same place for 11 years, 8 years without any sick leave then a spate like yours. It happens, try not to worry and keep work informed.

Xeneth88 · 11/08/2017 15:34

Best of luck with the call OP, it is a large amount of time off sick though.
Hope you feel better.

Kind Regard
X.88

Why on earth are people MartinTheD signing posts off like this... Wanky!!

user1492692527 · 11/08/2017 15:36

Many companies will instigate a disciplinary process based on Bradford scale numbers. It's a good tool as it is really trying to catch out the people who are sick on Fridays and Mondays consistently - we all know those sort of people! And not saying that you are, OP!!

imnottoofussed · 11/08/2017 16:09

Just thought i'd add nothing useful to this post.

Tata for now.
Fussed

Mychildcouldnotbreaatfeed · 11/08/2017 16:11

Fussed you got it wrong, Mychild

MCCNBF

Mychildcouldnotbreaatfeed · 11/08/2017 16:12

And of course.

I fucking well got it wrong, MyChild

Best

M. C C N B F

ifcatscouldtalk123 · 11/08/2017 16:14

It is a very high absence rate. Have you had any back to work interviews? Have you offered to make up the lost time you took off for the dog incident? Do you have under 2 years service in the job? If you have not, regardless of you having passed probation you could be dismissed easily and quickly.