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.

Bloody hell! OP is getting a hard time here.

I think a fever is a very valid reason to ring in sick. I still don't get the level of shit OP has had thrown her way.

I wouldn't call in for my teens unless they physically couldn't do it themselves. Although my husband did ring in for me when I first went off sick with my mental health. I couldn't handle ringing in at that point.

Meh. I’ve know managers to take a week of sick but posting pics laying on a sun lounger in Spain.

Most people have done it.

I think you are being harsh - she's is only 16, feeling poorly and probably too scared to call in sick herself. Judging by your response I can see why, maybe try being a bit nicer to your staff, especially those that are still children.

She's 16 FFS, does it really matter if her mum phoned in, she's not a professional, she's basically a child in an apprenticeship. Grow up OP and stop making threads about children. Maybe stop discussing their private business with your staff aswell.

I'm not telling you that she had a temperature; her mother did. I'm telling you I would advise a child of 16 with a temperature to stay off work or school.

Hope that helps.

By all means speak to her if you believe she wasn't ill and was instead out shopping, but that's a completely separate issue from the one your AIBU was about.

Someone from my work had a heart attack once. Obviously she was a bit too preoccupied to call in herself so her husband called in for her. When she returned eventually she got a bollocking and a disciplinary. The rest of us couldn't believe how cold hearted mangagement were being.

I’m an adult and I’ve had my partner call for me on the odd occasion when I’m exhausted after a sleepless night or too sick to leave my bed etc.
I think you are excessively annoyed about something pretty minor tbh.

You’re not covering yourself in glory here op and claiming you are being attacked isn’t helping. Now she’s been out shopping with friends, that’s very convenient for you.

Not saying you would have done the same op! I'm sure you're perfectly lovely. Just can't believe how horrible some bosses are out there.

Op, I'm not sure why you are so worked up about this. She made an error not calling you herself, just ask her to do so next time. End of the matter. You sound rather unkind. Also a temperature is a perfectly good reason to be off sick

As for your last update, I can't make head nor tails of it. Are you saying she went out shopping today and posted it on social media? A totally different issue.

See at 16 the thought of ringing in sick would have sent me into a panic attack- oh god I’m sick they’ll sack me. Making me even more poorly than I already was. So mum probably would have rung in for me. Perhaps suggest she practices this sort of conversation with someone. So it’s not as daunting

ou’re not covering yourself in glory here op and claiming you are being attacked isn’t helping. Now she’s been out shopping with friends, that’s very convenient for you

Yes- how very convenient

Ah so conveniently now, she was aware of the procedure and she went out shopping

At 16 I would expect her to ring to be honest.

After 16 the only time my mother called in for me, she got told 'she'd better be dying'. As it happens I was unconscious and close to it. It became a running joke.

When you speak to her don't hold yourself up as an example OP. You sound about as mature and professional as a 16 year old yourself.

Getting mum to phone in - ok maybe just needed a gentle word that she should do it

Having a day off for an official high temperature absolutely fine

Getting your mum to phone in sick so you can go shopping - not on at all

My team text me if they're ill - she's either trustworthy or she's not.

She is 16 years old, a junior and probably being paid under minimum wage, cut her some slack

I notice you have nothing to say about the safeguarding issues of a minor self certifying an absence from the place they are expected to be all day.

Hopefully the poor child isn't on a scheme of some sort with you.I'm assuming you would have liked to interrogate her as to her state of health if she had phoned in person. She's a child and you're treating her unfairly.

Anywhere I've worked it's policy is to call yourself. If you're old enough to be employed you're old enough to take that responsibility. It's classed as self-certified sickness for your SSP not mum-certified. I'd let it go this time and just go over your policies when she's back in.
My husband manages a team of nearly 200. A young member of staff's mum called in sick for him which rang warning bells as he'd had a holiday request for that week turned down & had been a bit arsey about it. The person who dealt with holiday schedule & absence flagged it up to DH who called the number back. Instead of giving the company name or saying it was Mr Fedrep he said Hi it's Dave here, is Paul having problems with his phone?" to be told it must be because he's in Magaluf If he'd called himself he'd possibly have got away with it

To the people attempting to troll hunt, report. Would you like the social media post?

The age of leaving education has been raised beyond 16, regardless of where they are being educated.

I work in a school, none of the sixth form phone in, it’s always done by parents. We also have to alert parents if students don’t turn up.

She might be in an adult world, but that doesn’t change the fact that her age she has to be in education even if it’s an apprenticeship.

She should be treated the same as a child in another sector of education. The parents phone in until they are 18

So now you've been spying on her social media. You are the epitome of professional
OP. If she has been out shopping with friends rather than come in to work and be around you then maybe that should tell you something. She's 16, I'm pretty sure most 16 year olds have pulled a sickie and I'm sure lots of adults have too. But just maybe she didn't feel great earlier and wasn't well enough to come in but felt better later. My kids are professionals at having high temps at breakfast then jumping around by 9am. Simple analgesia works wonders for some and makes a fool out of parents at times.