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Original poster

Please tell me before I ring in sick - could I get fired in this situation?

76 replies

yellowboka · 01/07/2019 07:38

I work in housekeeping/cleaning, it's quite a physically demanding job.
I've only worked there for 3 weeks.
I'm 14 weeks pregnant although haven't told them yet as I was worried they'd turn me away due to the nature of the job and lifting etc.
They're short-staffed as it is, it will cause a really difficult day if I call in sick but I'm really, really nauseous and light-headed and almost passing out - I'm sure it's because my iron is so low.

I absolutely can't lose this job. Can I get fired for calling in sick 3 weeks in or because I'm pregnant and it's an unsuitable job or what?

OP posts:
Geminijes · 01/07/2019 07:41

If you're on probation then they could fire you. Sorry.

EleanorReally · 01/07/2019 07:41

Can you get through it?
have some toast and a boiled egg?

if you are asking the question presumably you might be able to get through work?

lavenderbluedilly · 01/07/2019 07:42

I’d you’ve been employed for less than 2 years, unfortunately you have very few rights and could easily be fired.

Petitprince · 01/07/2019 07:42

I'd be tempted to go in then get sent home.

HollaHolla · 01/07/2019 07:43

They could let you go for calling in sick so early in your contract there, I understand. But - you should check what your contract says. I know some places are brutal in your probationary period. Not sure if you feel able to go in, and they might send you home?
The thing I’m not sure about is if it’s pregnancy related. I’m sure someone else more knowledgeable will be along to advise you on pregnancy rights.
Hope you feel better soon.

TheHandsOfNeilBuchanan · 01/07/2019 07:45

Go in, say you've an upset stomach, maybe throw up, get sent home. After the nicest weekend of the year and three weeks into a job I wouldn't just call in workout then seeing you are unwell

DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 01/07/2019 07:47

Go in - get sent home.

EatsShoootsAndLeaves · 01/07/2019 07:47

I would attempt to go in, it will either subside when you are busy and you get your work done, or you feel worse and they send you home, but at least you have shown some commitment to being there.if it was d&v it would be different, but you aren't going to make anyone else sick through pregnancy related sickness.

LIZS · 01/07/2019 07:49

You can be sacked for no reason within first 2 years. Pg illness may be treated differently to regular sickness record, but that does not apply unless you notify them. Presumably you won't get smp.

adaline · 01/07/2019 07:51

At three weeks in, they can get rid of you for pretty much any reason they like sadly!

But I would be tempted to inform them of your pregnancy.

MrsMiggins37 · 01/07/2019 07:54

If they don’t know you’re pregnant they may well fire you for being sick, yes. Or they may not.

They’d be unwise to do it if you told them you were pregnant though as it is unlawful to dismiss due to pregnancy related absence even with short service. That’s not to say they still wouldn’t do it though, employers can and do act in unlawful ways all the time.

Oysterbabe · 01/07/2019 07:57

Our place is pretty unforgiving if people call in sick during their probation period.

Smellbowpenisbeaker · 01/07/2019 07:59

There was a point in my employment contact at which if I took pregnancy-related sickness it automatically triggered my maternity leave. You need to check your contract and see which maternity legislation, if any, your employer follows.

stucknoue · 01/07/2019 08:00

I would suggest eating something light and have some crackers to nibble. You may find them quite unsympathetic as you must have told them you could do the job knowing you were pregnant. Please look into other jobs because you will need to tell them quite soon and if you physically cannot do the job you may find yourself let go as you are on probation

Cloudtree · 01/07/2019 08:03

Tell them you're pregnant

b0bb1n · 01/07/2019 08:04

I'd go in and be sent home, let them see how I'll you feel. When I had morning sickness at my new job everyone thought I had d and v.

MyNameIsRachel · 01/07/2019 08:05

Our place is pretty unforgiving if people call in sick during their probation period

Yes because I’m this current climate being a human being and getting sick isn’t acceptable anymoreAngryAngry

I’m a SAHM and avoiding the workplace as long as I can Angry

RJnomore1 · 01/07/2019 08:07

14 weeks won’t automatically trigger mat leave. I think it’s around 32.

As others say you have no legal protection within two years of starting except for in relation to your pregnancy and as you haven’t told them that doesn’t apply here. I’d go in and get sent home. Hope you feel better soon.

MoreSlidingDoors · 01/07/2019 08:08

There was a point in my employment contact at which if I took pregnancy-related sickness it automatically triggered my maternity leave.

That’s at 36 weeks.

You need to check your contract and see which maternity legislation, if any, your employer follows

Employers can’t choose whether to follow legislation or not. Hmm

Kyogre · 01/07/2019 08:11

.

DocusDiplo · 01/07/2019 08:11

Sorry you feel unwell, OP.Sad
Pregnancy is awful at times.
Sympathies with with whatever you decide to do.

C8H10N4O2 · 01/07/2019 08:12

Our place is pretty unforgiving if people call in sick during their probation period

Great way to foster a strong and loyal workforce. I've approved sickness absence for people in their first weeks of employment (in one case quite a lot of sickness). Many years on they are still with us and stellar performers. They still talk about how they were supported at a difficult time and have repaid the support many times over.

Sacking for pregnancy at any time is illegal but proving it can be difficult. If you really can't go in you may be best to tell them it is pregnancy sickness if you think they won't sack you for pregnancy.

C8H10N4O2 · 01/07/2019 08:15

Employers can’t choose whether to follow legislation or not

Whilst this is technically true there is no shortage of employers who will wriggle around the law or simply harrass women out of a job when pregnant, knowing they have reduced ability to fight it. Its a disgrace that decades after the legislation women's protections in this space are so poorly supported and enforced across the population.

swingofthings · 01/07/2019 08:16

They can't sack you for being off because of pregnancy. However, they can sack you at anytime before 2 years before giving you a reason. The onus would be on you to prove that they sacked you because of your pregnancy related absence.

If you do an excellent job, have evidence, after the absence(s), of them stating so, then that would be a good basis to claim you were discriminated because of the pregnancy. If they can evidence that they are not happy with your performance AND they didn't even know you were pregnant when they dismissed you, then they would have a good case.

That's all extreme anyway, you can be sick one day, it happens. Don't worry too much about it as a one off, but do get treatment for your low iron asap.

SugarPlumLairy2 · 01/07/2019 08:19

Did you take the physically demanding job knowing you were pregnant and unable to fulfill the role?

That won’t endear you to them.

Ginger biscuits may help with the nausea. If you can try to get in and let them decide to send you home that may be for best, you might be able to play it off as heat related or a tummy bug. Ultimately you have to decide if your health is worth the aggravation though. It doesn’t sound like a job you could do as your pregnancy progresses.

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