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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Off work sick, being asked to complete work tasks

70 replies

RubyWho · 26/09/2017 12:24

Hello all,

Can't work out if I am being precious or not. I'm off work today (due to side effects from new MH related medication). I let my boss know I wouldn't be in via email. Boss responded to said email with a list of tasks they wanted me to do today.

They aren't huge, more like 'please remind X Y Z to do this' and 'send out X to group B' etc. I've also been asking me questions about things I've forwarded onto them when I logged into my emails around 6am, and asking for clarification by COB today.

Boss is well aware of the medication I am on, why I am on it and the difficulties I have with it. I usually work around a 60 hour week (9 hours in the office M-F, and then the rest at home outside of core hours, at the weekend and such) so it's not as if I never do any bloody work!

Is this U of Boss? Or am I being oversensitive?

OP posts:

SusanTheGentle · 26/09/2017 13:06

Why are you checking your emails at all? If I were sick I wouldn't have even seen any of these tasks because I wouldn't be working. Turn notifications off your phone and take care of yourself.

It's UTTERLY unreasonable for them to be asking you to do anything at all. I echo mindutopia - also a university - if I am off, I'm off. If I've arranged to work from home, then I work, but if I'm sick it's time off, not time to catch up on emails.

youhavetobekidding · 26/09/2017 13:08

This is one of the most annoying things about being a teacher - you are expected to rise up off your deathbed to send in planning and resources for the day

Sigh, I knew it wouldn't be long before a teacher told us they have it worse than anyone else

guilty100 · 26/09/2017 13:09

What?! Send an email saying "I am not working from home, I am off work ill. I will return to work on [insert date]. During the time I am away, I will not be responding to emails or completing any work tasks, because I am ill".

Maryz · 26/09/2017 13:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nikephorus · 26/09/2017 13:11

Does your boss know how bad you're feeling and how little sleep you've had? Maybe you need to communicate that better so that he understands - if you've just said "side effects of medication" he might be thinking cold sweats & mild nausea and therefore wouldn't think that a couple of tasks was an issue. The side effects you've described since are a different ball game and explain why you need to step away from the email (though possibly keeping yourself busy with something (not necessarily work) might help you).

Original poster

RubyWho · 26/09/2017 13:16

My boss does know the ins and outs, yes - it was the same story last time I changed up my meds. I went into work, totally out of it, and he pulled me aside and told me I needed to go home. I came back about five days later, still slightly dazed but in better shape generally.

OP posts:

coddiwomple · 26/09/2017 13:17

it depends. I have always been paid fully when I was off sick, so I never minded going on my emails if I was able to. It might have meant making one phone call to a colleague to talk through things that needed to be done (quicker than typing!), or forwarding a few things.

Unless I completely passed out, I also check my emails a few times during the day to forward urgent things to someone else.

I do find it less stressful to keep on top of things, than leaving a pile pile to deal with when I come back.

The way I see it, if I was doing a minimum wage job I would provide minimum service. I have an ok pay + bonus, but also a lot of leeway because I am treated like an adult, I can disappear for a few hours during office hours to see dentist or hairdresser
I have ownership of my clients, my team and my job, so if there are things I would do if it was my business, I do them too when I can.

It really depends of your position in your business place.

echt · 26/09/2017 13:18

This is one of the most annoying things about being a teacher - you are expected to rise up off your deathbed to send in planning and resources for the day

Sigh, I knew it wouldn't be long before a teacher told us they have it worse than anyone else

The poster did not suggest this. Why don't you try Reading. The. Post?

WaxOnFeckOff · 26/09/2017 13:22

In my work it's completely black and white. You are either unwell and off sick or are fit for work. If you are off sick, you call into your manager to make them aware, they will generally ask if you have any meetings etc that require to be cancelled (and they arrange) and that is you off - you need to give some indication of how long you will be off and when you will be back. My manager generally allows people to do this by text if it's easier but thin company policy is that it should be by phone.

I have in the past said that I am ill but might manage to do some bits and pieces but been told not to. If I want to work then I will be marked as working and expected to do as full a days work as I can manage though allowance is given for being a bit under the weather.

We are trusted as adults to make an appropriate call, but there should be no confusion as to whether we are working or off sick.

I get paid for sick leave.

OP they sholdn't be putting you in this position. You can't be both off sick or working. Ask your manager to clarify what he has recorded for you and if he's recorded you as off sick then make him aware that you are therefore not working.

As PPs have said, it's not unreasoable to ask you to forward a few crucial emails if you feel up to it but you don't have to oblige. If I had a personal as well as a work relationship with someone I was due to meet that day, then I may cancle them personally rather than ex[ecting my manager/colleagues to.

bridgetreilly · 26/09/2017 13:25

At some point, you need to email your boss and say that the reason you are not at work is because you are not well enough to do the work. And then set up an auto-reply and ignore it all.

Original poster

RubyWho · 26/09/2017 13:27

To clarify

I do get paid sick pay, and I know this will be classed as a proper sick day as my boss has indicated we need to do a back to work meeting/form when I am back. And then in the next sentence asked me to do a few bits, which then escalated.

I also am owed TOIL and have a very nasty feeling that when I request some of it (I am owed well over a week of it), today will be brought up.

Things are shite at work, did you guess?!?

OP posts:

HeteronormativeHaybales · 26/09/2017 13:28

On your first post alone I would have said YABabitU. providing it was only tasks of clarification/delegation. But your saying the stress and pfressure of work has contributed to what you are off for rings alarm bells.

Put an out of office on and don't log in any more today.

twinkiesaremyfave · 26/09/2017 13:30

op seriously turn off your phone and computer and get some rest. Snuggle up and watch a movie or get some fresh air, whatever you do don't do any bloody work. As someone who is a lifelong sufferer of anxiety, I completely understand. Put yourself first- sod work! Hope you can get some rest soon

hula008 · 26/09/2017 13:35

Do you have an absence reporting procedure aside from emailing your boss? If so, use it. A few places I know require you to actually call up and say "I am unwell and can't come in" (obviously within reason) before it's an authorised absence.

Original poster

RubyWho · 26/09/2017 13:39

Hula - we do. It's email boss with HR in cc. Call HR absence line. I have done both of these things, always do.

OP posts:

Maryz · 26/09/2017 13:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheCraicDealer · 26/09/2017 13:46

This is the culture we have in our place. It's why my boss was working from hospital when he was in with liver failure, and why my colleague took three days off with pneumonia and then landed in as she was "bored" at home. we're not even particularly high powered or well paid, but it's a stressful job. Something needs to change- it's only a job at the end of the day and I can't face another 40 years (I'm only 28!) of that level of expectation.

Your boss is playing a dangerous game whether he knows it or not. If you're signed off with symptoms arising from treatment for a condition he knows you have (i.e., anxiety) then why is he causing more, er, stress and anxiety by giving you tasks when off sick? That's asking for trouble. It seems that as it's not a physical issue then somehow you're not "properly" sick, so he feels he can still delegate to you. That's not on.

I know it's easy to do but you need to detach from work and have more of a balance. If you have a work mobile get a personal one (this is where so many of my colleagues fall down) so you're not pestered with calls and emails when you're off. Right now, email him back and say, "Hi boss, As you're aware I'm off sick today so I will deal with these tasks on my return. Many thanks, Ruby". Then if he feels any are time-sensitive he can reallocate.

RhiannonOHara · 26/09/2017 13:47

IMO if you're off sick, you're off sick, not available to respond to emails.

I'd ignore any further messages until you're back, then contact HR and say you'd like clarification on the terms of the sick policy.

Original poster

RubyWho · 26/09/2017 13:47

I did!!! Honest!

"I will attend to this when I am no longer off sick and back in the office. Have a good day"

Nice and passive-aggressive. Or just honest.

OP posts:

Maryz · 26/09/2017 13:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

coddiwomple · 26/09/2017 13:52

My issue here would be that you are well enough to ask (reasonable) questions on mumsnet, which means you are well enough to forward a few emails.

If your boss does exaggerate and asks for too much, then no it'

In some companies, management prefers to see people staying home even if they are under the weather , than seeing them spreading germs all over the place. As long as things keep working smoothly, everyone benefits.

Really, it does depend on your place of work, in theory it's not unreasonable to do some work on your sick days, when you are well enough to be on the net.

Original poster

RubyWho · 26/09/2017 13:55

It wasn't the fact that I was being asked to do a few bits as much as 'and then do this, and do that...and can you tell me this? and this?' It sort of escalated.

OP posts:

Maryz · 26/09/2017 14:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BackInTheRoom · 26/09/2017 14:23

They could argue that if you're well enough to do work at home, you should be well enough to do work at work!

RavingRoo · 26/09/2017 14:44

@Bibbidee - that logic only applies if you’re well enough to commute. I have often worked whilst having flu, wrapped in a blanket, with a hot water bottle & probably would have passed out had I tried to get on the train.

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