AIBU to think someone with a broken finger can still work in a supermarket?

[SpinalDra]

Surely they can just be put on the tills? I'm a team leader and really pissed off. A girl has recently phoned in sick to say she can't come in as she broke her finger at work. Store manager has said she can stay off because it causes less fuss especially as she did it at work it's a piss take. He's not the one who has to run the shift with lack of staff.

AIBU to think she could still have worked on till?

FWIW the most difficult thing was lifting things! Not because they were heavy but because it was awkward. So not fit at all to work on a till. You're lifting things all bloody day, passing them over the scanner, putting them in a bag. Plus trying to do one thing with one hand and another with the other - impossible.

I've worked retail (don't any more) and it's a very physical job even when you are "just on tills". I didn't feel able to go back to my job even though it's barely physical at all - I couldn't lift or manipulate an A4 folder or use a hole punch, of all things, because of the lack of strength and pain in the affected hand.

I did actually go back to work the day after the injury - I reckon it was adrenaline. Once I'd had it properly medically addressed I wasn't able to do anything and ended up getting signed off for about 6 weeks in total, which was a shock.

They're contracted to their shifts... people make plans, I can't expect them to drop everything and come in. It's not their job to.

People make plans, sure. But if pretty much all your staff are refusing to come in and help out when needed, that's due to attitudes like yours.

In my work people are more than happy to come in when needed because they are valued and respected.

Your staff clearly are not.

Niccelia

I think we shop in the same Tesco... unless there are two one-armed blokes in separate stores.

I don't think it's a fair comparison though - being in pain with broken bones and usually soft-tissue damage too, is completely differen. If the GP hs signed this girl off then it will be with good reason. Not to mention insurance concerns as PP have pointed out.

They're contracted to their shifts... people make plans, I can't expect them to drop everything and come in. It's not their job to.

No, and it isn't in someone's contract that they have to come in when they've broken their finger either.

If somebody wants to self certificate sickness they are entitled to. If the sickness absence rules require a doctors cretificate they will provide one or come back to work.
It's not your call.
Would you feel better if they called in sick with a tummy bug?

Very poor form to post this on the internet. I work in similar environment, one of my managers is constantly broadcasting details of staff illnesses (and doubting them) to other staff members; everyone else likes her and she is good at her job, but her bitching makes her look v unprofessional and I can't fully respect her as my boss.

I think in this instance OP you have a manager problem and need more support to lead your team. Also I broke my finger as a kid and needed surgery so it's not always a minor injury.

She's been signed off. You're being ridiculous and I agree with PP. this isn't something you should be whining about on a public forum. You definitely shouldn't be a team leader.

She's signed off work...
It might be physically possible for her to work, but might not be able to get into work safely or do her job without risking further injury. You're also coming across as very naive about broken bones it's "just" strapped to the next finger... that's about any doctor can do for someone with a broken finger due to the location of the break. It can be painful and cause any number of huge difficulties from getting dressed, getting into work; doing her job safely and effectively, getting home afterwards. She might also further irritate it or injure herself more, causing her to need yet MORE time off. I'm sure she doesn't want to lose pay and have you behaving like a cunt towards her but needs must.

I can only wonder why people aren't willing to come in and help you out, with an attitude like yours I'd leave you in the shit too.

Her employer has a duty of care to her, which means not pressurising her to return to work when she isn't fit.
The OP needs to be careful that her moans don't turn into bullying, because if I heard a colleague had been bitching about me and my medical issues I'd be taking it up with HR.

Wow, YABU.

workplace health and safety....im sure if the bone fails to heal the companies insurance plan will be right thrilled with the supervisor who thought it fine for them to work anyway.
you make it very clear it's about your inability to find replacement NOT the employees reason to be off sick.
maybe your attitude says something about the lack of staff willing to work for you...

Do you know what sort of a fracture she has? Do you know anything at all about the different types of fractures that can occur and the complications that can come with them? Yes, they can happen to fingers too.

What are your qualifications in orthopaedics which make you so well placed to decide what physical work this girl could do?

I see few jobs on the shop floor of a supermarket that would not involve some heavy lifting. That includes working on the tills, as some items are large and heavy and still have to be passed over the scanner. If you can't see that then I wonder how much experience you actually have of shop floor work. I am only a customer, yet I can see it.

Insurance and liability mean that she should not be work, and certainly if she’s signed off, then there’s nothing you can do about it. I suppose once the bone starts to heal or is close to being fixed then She could come back in a light duties role, but there’s not much in a supermarket that she could do without using her hands and potentially making the injury worse?!

It’s a lesson in your skills as a team player/leader though...it’s not exactly professional, and shows lack of experience dealing with people. Imagine she, or your boss came across this thread as all of us have? Personally, I’d be livid.

I broke my elbow and wrist at work. It happened at the start of my shift. I worked another six hours. At the time, it didn't really hurt that much. I mean, it was painful, but nothing so bad I couldn't cope. I was looking forward to going home, having a glass of wine and a couple of paracetamol and a nice hot bath.

By 4am I was in tears, begging anyone who'd answer their phone to me to drive me to A and E in the next town. I spent all of the next week high on tramadol, unable to remember my own name much less work a till.

My dd broke her finger when she closed it in car door. It was put in "mending position" cast. She would never have been able to use that hand. It is a serious injury. I don't understand your indignation?

Abbylee, the OP does not see finger injuries as real injuries.

There really are people who think it is only a finger or toe, so really doesn't matter at all. Those of us who have experienced this or anything like it do, of course, know that they are wrong.

YABU

"We have a bloke in our Tesco with one arm. Not even joking. If he can work, she can work."
Absolutely astounded at this.
This site is great and helps so many people but fuck me if you don't get the odd moron every now and then

I injured myself at work and felt pressured to work through it, rather than take the recommended time off to heal. I now have long term problems that have a significant impact on my life.
I'm assuming you are not a doctor, so it's not your job to decide wether someone is fit to work.

Are you a 'health professional£ from ATOS?

I simply cannot believe the OP thinks it appropriate to broadcast this information on the internet.

As for her attitude to the injured employee, words fail me.

Moreover she doesn't seem to have any understanding of the implications for her own continued employment.

YABVU

I used to work PT in a supermarket. They kept saying they were going to till-train me, but never did. I wouldn't have had a clue if they'd dumped me on one.

A and E will have probably signed her off work for a set time in which case the employer's PLI would be invalid if they went in. I hope you're not in a management position as that's pretty basic knowledge

I think you're being very unreasonable. You have no idea how bad her finger is. She'd be incredibly slow on the tills with one hand to use and could do some damage if she did try andove something awkward or heavy. Insurance would be a problem too. Someone above said she can go on the tills as there's a bloke with one arm at their Tesco. Come on! They'll have lived with one arm for presumably a long time and it will be extra strong etc. It's very different. We have a cashier with one arm at my local sainsburys. He's a bit slower than the rest, but does a good job. If he broke the finger on his good hand he'd need time off, like anyone else.

I am sure Sainsbury's are going to be delighted to have their poor attitude to staff welfare broadcast on the internet. Especially on a site which, according to my current ad banner, they pay to advertise on.