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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

How do you 'call in sick'?

98 replies

ItsBloodyFreezingg · 13/02/2019 20:36

I'm bored and ill in bed.

I've often wondered what people actually say when they call in sick to work or what an employer expects.

Whenever I have in the past, I've felt like I need to awkwardly explain how ill I am and apologise profusely but really, am I expected to tell my employer what is wrong?

If I have the shits, for example, would you tell them that or is it acceptable to just say 'im sorry, I'm unwell today and won't be in work but will keep you updated'? Does my employer really want to know that I've been up vomiting in the night etc..?

I had a bad experience once in my first job years ago where I had been very unwell and had let them know. Their response was to tell me to get a shower, get some pro plus and they would see me at 9. It's made me very nervous ever since!

What do you say / what would be acceptable to you as an employer?

OP posts:

Groovee · 14/02/2019 05:23

I have to call my head teacher.

Longdistance · 14/02/2019 05:40

I work in a school. I phone in. If I have the shits or am vomiting I tell them, so as not to expect me the next day. 48hours rule applies.

olderthanyouthink · 14/02/2019 05:42

I text (not sure if we are supposed to call), has to be by 10am but I have done it at 3am before when I'm up with a migraine.

NopeNi · 14/02/2019 06:02

I always get upset when I'm ill, feel genuinely guilty, and can't stop apologising - it's one of the ways that DH knows something's really wrong.

So I have to try and hold back from begging forgiveness from work too. I feel awful and want to apologise at them (and everyone) all day long.

When I'm back to feeling normal I'm a bit at that, and I definitely wouldn't expect someone else to grovel at me for being ill.

I can only think it's because I was undiagnosed autistic as a child, and no one believed me when I had sincere episodes of pain that I'd miraculously recover from once I was somewhere quiet and safe.

goldopals · 14/02/2019 07:01

I'm a teacher. We have to fill in a form online which summarises details; what campus, what faculty, classes to be covered and reason (sickness or carers). We then email a summary of work, which is normally unit title, lesson number, and potential student issues

Original poster

ItsBloodyFreezingg · 14/02/2019 07:38

It's sad how many people feel guilty about it. I do! I certainly don't take the mick with sick leave but I can't help but feel terrible if I ever need it. Which is crazy really.

I also find those who have to ring constantly throughout the day and pre plan when they are going to be ill the day before insane. It's a bit insulting really isn't it? We are adults at the end of the day. I wouldn't want to be having to call an explain myself multiple times to someone like a child.

OP posts:

LakieLady · 14/02/2019 07:48

In the past I’ve had jobs where I’ve had to physically call in.

We have to do that, and we have to speak to a manager, can't leave a message and can't have anyone else phone in on our behalf, unless you're unconscious or something.

This was very frustrating when I had been unexpectedly admitted to hospital, my phone was dead, I was using a hospital payphone and it cost a small fortune hanging on for 20 minutes while reception tried to find a manager of any description who could take a call.

I ended up speaking to a newish manager from a completely different division, who had no idea who I was or why I was phoning. I kept trying to explain that the policy was that we had to speak to a manager, and he was the only manager available. He just kept saying "But why are you ringing me?" in a wistful voice that frankly made me want to punch him.

It is the most ridiculous procedure I have ever come across.

Original poster

ItsBloodyFreezingg · 14/02/2019 07:52

I honestly don't think companies should be able to get away with that sort of thing.

I understand it may be to 'weed' out the unnecessary absences however, I've always found it easy to tell those who take the piss regardless of whether they've phoned in repeatedly and spoken to the golden manager or just sent a text.

OP posts:

CherryPavlova · 14/02/2019 08:05

Technically we are required to telephone and speak to line manager but as we work remotely, I’ll accept an email unless it’s someone whose forever off for minimal reason. I don’t need gory details but wouldn’t be impressed with frequent feeling under the weather or stomach upset calls or emails. That would result in requiring a call from person and increased scrutiny of their working times.

If we’re working away as a team, I expect a call as I’d hate to have someone seriously unwell in a hotel room without support. It’s happened when someone had a stroke, but luckily we’re found quickly. if it’s someone I know we’ll and they get migraines, a text to say ‘darkened room but fine’ is acceptable. I’d also accept a call from a friend or relative to say someone was in hospital or their spouse was etc.
It’s about being reasonable, surely?

Ninninannanoonoo · 14/02/2019 08:12

I was a student nurse many years ago and the rule was that you had to call and speak to somebody on the day. I had worked a long stretch and finished at 10pm the previous night. I knew I was unwell. and was also recovering from very recent surgery for a thankfully benign breast lump (not acceptable to have any time off for that!) so I told the sister in charge that I wouldn't be in the next day. Nope - didn't work and I was told in no uncertain terms that I would have to phone in the following morning before my 0730 shift. Not really the end of the world these days but it was pre mobiles and I didn't have a landline in my bedsit so it meant dragging myself out of bed very early and walking 10 minutes to the nearest public pay phone. Not fun. Hope you feel better soon OP.

WaxOnFeckOff · 14/02/2019 10:16

I start work before everyone else (7.30am) so I text my boss so he (or she in the past) gets it when he switches his phone on. It's rare that I'm off though and most cases it's been a migraine or upset stomach. I'd usually try to work at home with the latter but with the former it's impossible.

Our "rule" is that you call though. I usually offer to call later in my text but generally they'd text back and say not to worry. I'm usually only off a day or so every 3 or 4 years though. I have occasionally worked at home when too ill to go into the office.

ToffeePennie · 14/02/2019 10:28

I used to say “I’m sorry but I can’t come in today. I’ve got flu/stomach upset etc” if I’m going to the drs “I have an appointment with my gp today at x time. I’m hoping to be back in by x time/date.”
It usually gives them a heads up as to when they can expect me to return. (I have a weak immune system and if I get mono chances are I will have an abesses and glandular fever too)?

PBo83 · 14/02/2019 10:32

It depends if you are off sick regularly. If one of my team is generally really reliable and takes very little time off then all I need to know if that they're not going to be in (purely for the sake of the business, rearranging meetings etc) as I would know they wouldn't take time off lightly.

If someone is often off sick then I appreciate a bit more information.

thecatsthecats · 14/02/2019 10:33

We all text in. Nobody is forced to do sick voice. After all, if someone is faking, they can easily do that whether they call or text, and we can't make them come in (nor would we want to).

If we do appear to have an issue, it's picked up in the absence meeting/procedure.

echt · 14/02/2019 10:34

When I call in, I just say I won't be in today to a recorded message. It's all recorded as Personal Leave and I deal online with my employer, identifying my absence as sickness, carer's leave, etc. If it's for longer I say so. At no point do I discuss my absence or its reasons with a person.

Good system.

Marmite27 · 14/02/2019 10:37

Generally a text, as we both have young kids and mornings are a nightmare.

Generally include anything that needs to be done that day and if I need someone else to do it or if I’m going to log on and do it.

We’re allowed to be grownups which is nice.

Chillxx · 14/02/2019 10:43

I'm a people manager and company policy is to call in (emails or texts are not ok). I have specified team that they should call a specific time, after in the past some people had tried to call me (in office landline) 6am - knowing very well I wouldn't be at work for few hours! Of course I knew why they did that...

Limensoda · 14/02/2019 10:46

I've not had many sick days in my working life but when I did I just phoned work and said I was too poorly to come in and would update them if I was still poorly the next day. That was it.

IHeartKingThistle · 14/02/2019 10:48

Secondary teacher. Have to call the absence line by 7am and email full cover work for all classes. Then you have to come back and follow up the kids who were a pain. Obviously if you're unconscious or something someone will set work, it's not that bad! But I've been in all week feeling rubbish - it's easier than being off!

SleeplessInc · 14/02/2019 11:01

Our rule is to phone in yourself unless you are either hospitalised or pretty much unconscious!

I once phoned my boss when I had an utterly crippling migraine and could hardly speak, totally freaked him out, he thought I was having a heart attack or something!

NotMeNoNo · 14/02/2019 12:27

The other reason for phoning in is that you can be sure that the message has been received and your work is covered, etc.

chestylarue52 · 14/02/2019 17:36

I call my boss. I tell him hey I'm not coming in today I'm unwell. Probably be back tomorrow /likely be off for a while. I don't give details and he never asks.

WaterOffaDucksCrack · 15/02/2019 11:32

We need to find cover for most of our staff due to the environment we're in. Our policy is to call work. Speak to a manager if they're in, if not speak to a senior or night staff.

I still sometimes get people texting at 3am when they know I'm on call for emergencies and therefore my phone will be on loud. I just relply stating our policy of phoning the works phone otherwise it's unauthorised absence. It has been no surprise to me when night staff then tell me they were slurring their words at 3am in a saturday morning!

I think our policy is fair so I don't know why people cant follow it.

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