to be really worried about work?

[CaptainObviousTwo]

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?

It's quite a few days but you've been genuinely sick so try not to worry. Have you spoken to your doctor about your repeated illnesses as they suggest quite a low immune system if you're picking up sickness bugs so easily. The dog incident though is a different thing as you should not have taken this off really.

sorry, I'mNot

Best,

I. N T F

Fussed do you find his a most tedious way to type?, mMyChild

Best

M. CCNBF

Absolutely, Mychild, although its keeping me entertained in my last hour at work - I might consider trying to help the OP soon as well, I'mNot

Best,

I. NTF

Doesnt matter what personal opinions are.

Most businesses would consider that to be high absence. Today is the 6th absence?

Hopefully your good performance will help. However, most companies, would keep allowing that levek of absence.

Can you really say you couldnt work any of those? If so, you need to tell them that and you need to figure out how you will improve this.

This would trigger a meeting and an informal review period at my work, with the expectation of immediate and sustained improvements made over the next three months. Failure to achieve this work result in a formal meeting and a potential warning.

On the topic of what it would be over the year based on this level of absence so far, our occupational health therapists always advise that the best prediction of future absence is based on previous absence patterns. So not unreasonable to assume that absence would continue in the same way, not a big 'if' at all.

Kind regards
K Zamolodchikova
(But your dad just calls me Katya)

OP - there's no denying that's a very high absence rate. I haven't had a day off sick for around 2 years and that's pretty much standard in our department.

Is there an underlying health reason why you've had to take so many sick days - eg migraines? Or is it just bad luck? What's causing you to want to vomit today - have you got a stomach upset?

Get a copy of the sickness policy (in our place called fit to work!). This should outline their 'expectations' and trigger points.

Hope your feeling better

Have you passed your probation yet?

"You should not have to worry and stress about your job on top of being ill."
Unfortunately her employers may not agree. They have a right to expect her to reliably turn up and do the job she is being paid to do. If she can't then it is nice if they take the hit and deal with it but they're within their rights to see it as a huge problem

I wouldn't mention it at all unless they do...

It would trigger a review at my workplace too. Have you had return to work meetings with your line manager?

I would be conducting back to work interviews & monitoring your sickness. Seems excessive

You should not have to worry and stress about your job on top of being ill

Unfortunately her employers may not agree.They have a right to expect her to reliably turn up and do the job she is being paid to do. If she can't then it is nice if they take the hit and deal with it but they're within their rights to see it as a huge problem

And....that is why people are scared of being ill and turn in when they really shouldn't. People have a right to be treated properly if they are sick.
I really hate the brainwashing that goes on in companies these days. People just tremble and bloody jump if told to without any thought about being personally respected.
It's only a problem for the employer if the employee is taking the piss.
A good employer will have something in place for cover if someone is ill.

By the same token Gottagetmoving companies have the right to expect their employees to fulfil their contracts of employment. If they don't the employer is quite within their rights to cut their losses and dismiss. IMO OP's company is being extraordinarily lenient and in her shoes I would make a beeline for my manager and acknowledge the high absence rate and assure them I'll do everything to lower it, as many PPs have already advised.

And I agree, she should absolutely not have taken her BF to hospital. I would take a very dim view of this (HR experienced).

At my company 2 periods of sickness without a doctors note triggers a formal investigation and written warning. Another absence within 12 months could result in dismissal. I do find that an extraordinarily high amount of absences in a 4 month period and the absence for taking your bf to A&E was taking the piss, surely he could have taken a taxi?

I'm a senior manager and haven't had a sick day in over 3 years, sickness affects a business greatly do for me thst level of sickness would be a problem.

For clarity, the dog attacked bf whilst I was home in my lunch break and I was present, he was bit in the face and I immediately took him to A+E as there was a lage amount of blood, and A+E is very local. I didn't leave work specifically to take him IYSWIM

But yes, a very high abounce which is extremely unusual as I can't actually ever remember taking a sick day before.

My job is stressful and I've not been trained properly, this is known at work. I also have a LOT going on at home.

I'm on a highish dose of anti anxiety medication and I moved house last week, losing my tablets in the process. With everything going on in didn't even realise I didnth have them and subsequently went cold turkey. My frind pointed this out today, she thinks I'm essentially having withdrawal.

OP, yes that's too high a rate and would reach a trigger point at this absence where I am. If one of my team got on the front foot, acknowledged this with me I'd be inclined to downplay however. You show a good degree of insight if occasional less than ideal judgment taking days as sick leave in all those circumstances.

Yours etc
SR

You may be having withdrawl.

But you need to get your meds and get back on them. Most employers will be unimpresses by 'i misplaced my meds and am going cold turkey because i didnt realise'. Unless its followed by 'but i have them now and this will improve'.

Why not drop your bf at a&e and go to work?

Adding that into everything else, another afternoon off wasnt the best choice.

Going home in your lunch break and then not returning because a dog bit your boyfriend looks really dodgy. I know it isn't in this case. But it looks suspicious, especially on top of your sick leave. I think that ypu need to reassure them that your attendance will improve.

Why not drop your bf at a&e and go to work?

Because half his face had been torn away by a dog.

Gotta get moving all very laudable but won't comfort the op much if she is out of work. Just saying something doesn't make it true.
You can think what you like the fact is employers can and will get rid of someone for five periods of sickness in as many months. And rightly imo.

I'm sorry to hear that, and nasty x post.