Mum ringing in sick, for my junior.

[KungFuPandaWorks]

I arrived at work before just checking on the diary and paperwork, and notice one of the junior hairdresser isn't in. One of the stylists (S1) informs me the junior is poorly today.

No big deal we all get poorly, until another stylist (S2) chips in that her mum called on her behalf, and that she's off sick because of a high temperature.

I think it's highly inappropriate having someone ring in on your behalf unless exceptional circumstances (unconscious, hospital, no voice etc) but for a high temp?

S1 thinks that because she's only 16 that's it not so bad that her mum calls on her behalf and I should let it drop.

Myself and S2 think it's absolutely ridiculous she's had her mum ring in on her behalf. Not to mention it's not exactly the greatest reason to be off.

AIBU? WIBU mentioning to her, that in the future she must ring herself unless she is totally unable in doing so.

I’m not allowed in work with a high temp.

Does she know that you know that she was out shopping?

Blue, I didn't like her snap. She's sent it everyone. I don't think she realised she's sent it me. Maybe she has now but she hasn't sent anything further.

Good lord.. sorry you're getting such a kicking KungFu!

IMHO... I think a gentle word when she comes back, about expectations with regards to the sickness policy and time off ill might be in order!

I would also mention the snapchat thing and tell her if she needed a 'mental health' day then being honest so you can perhaps arrange a holiday for her might be better than her throwing a sickie and roping her mum in on it!

My mum called in sick for me when I was a similar age because my then manager was a cunt and just wouldn't accept someone calling in sick. She even argued with my mum that I had to go in regardless.

She's still a child.

Spying on a children's Social Media page is despicable, you breached her GDPR on here and with your stylists. I suggest you stop before I report you myself for not safeguarding a child under your employment, and yes I can do that

That^ is the biggest, most dramatic over-reaction I have ever seen on Mumsnet and that's saying something. You're making a fool of yourself.

Good god she's still a child 🙄

if Have you read the full thread?

Erm yes.

Still only 16 though and you were moaning before you had your evidence.

Just for your info , if & when any other staff ring in with a temp - a temp means someone is infectious , you get the temp because its the bodys response to fighting a virus/ bacteria.

Just thought id reiterate that point as you clearly thought a temp was a flaky reason to be off .

Just advise her what to do next time-she's learning.

I'd be pretty pissed off if I came to your salon to get my hair done and one of your staff was sick and clearly had a temp. I think it's completely fine that her mum rang in and you are overreacting.

Crikey Firefly time to go back to the classroom for you on both your GDPR and safeguarding training.

You sound a delightful boss. She is 16 for goodness sake. Maybe have a word about expectations and sickness policy when she returns. Please don’t mention you were slagging her off to co workers or spying on her on her absence.
Seriously hairdressing is the only profession where it seems acceptable to treat junior staff like shit!

She should have called in herself. It's not massive deal though, just have a private word when she comes back to work and explain that she needs to call in herself in future because that's procedure. Job done, no need to give it any further thought.

She probably needed a mental health day because you honestly sound like nightmare to work for.

Although it seems like common sense, these are the sort of life skills that no one seems to be teaching children in school. We expect graduates etc to behave in a certain manner and get frustrated when they don't seem to know the process. They come out of education not knowing the correct protocol / etiquette or how to behave in a professional situation.

Maybe implement some policies or standards to let her know the standard procedure. And if her mum calls in again for her maybe also tell her that you need to speak to XXX.

Young people have to learn how to navigate the workplace, and there’s no good giving them a telling off when they’re learning something for the first time. Nobody enters the workforce at 16 a fully developed, perfect worker.

I didn't have a clue when I first joined the workforce. At 63 years old, I can still blush at some of the decisions I made back then. And I learned better, because my colleagues and managers gently taught me the ropes when I messed up.

And as a client, the last thing I want is my stylist or shampooer breathing germs on me. Is when one has the temperature that one is most efficiently passing on whatever illness is brewing.

You own a salon but aren't above bitching and gossiping with other employees about a staff member who's ill.

I'm betting the atmosphere in your salon leaves a lot to be desired. Ugh.

Yes she should ring in herself if that's the policy so just remind her of that. No need to make a big issue of it. I view this as part of training an apprentice, not just how to do the job itself but also how to behave at work etc.

So you believe it was unprofessional of a 16 year old to have her mother phone you to say she’d not be in to work due to illness. Yet you come on Mumsnet to get advice on how to treat your employee? That’s not particularly professional either.

I’m not sure why there’s this thing now where you have to call yourself (unless you’re at deaths door) or you’re unprofessional. But apparently a text / email is ok? Rather than a call from a family member explaining exactly what is going on 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I think a lot of people will be putting themselves in her shoes and remembering what it’s like to be that age or thinking of their children - they are still children after all.

Also I really hate salons - I find them I intimidating, unfriendly, cold, bitchy. So I was picturing a scenario where you’re all having a good old bitch about sick child who hasn’t really done anything that wrong.

Anyway it’s all turned out to be bs and your instinct was kind of correct (not entirely for me though sorry!) I still don’t understand the calling in yourself thing though so it’s lucky I don’t have to answer to anyone 😁.

How odd that this bothers you- she communicated she would not be in.
How odd that you expect a sick person to come into work- glad d do not work for you- she is sick so she should stay home.

Instead of moaning about a sick child on the internet I would focus on cultivating a culture of mutual trust and empathy between your employees. Extremely unprofessional.

Sorry OP I feel like you have come across a bit aggressive.

I think having her mum call in sick should just get a warning and a reminder of the policy, especially but not only because she is 16.

Going shopping with friends after calling sick is not on! And should get a warning and maybe something further.. I have no problem with people leaving the house when sick to do things that need to be done. Drop off, chemists, drs etc.. but not a leisurely day out.

I think a high temp would normally be enough reason to have a day off. I don’t get high temps over nothing and it’s nornally the onset of something.. sometimes a rest day can nip it in the bud before it gets too bad.

Who cares, she was sick she probably got up and her Mum said something like 'go back to bed, I will call work and let them know you wont be in'.

Also don't be so gross, a high temp = some sort of potentially contagious infection / virus. Why would you want her breathing all over your customers or spreading it round your workers and yourself?

I used to get my dh to ring in sick for me and I was in my 30’s!
Nothing was ever said.