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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBu To think I can’t just walk out of hospital to suit my employer

209 replies

Blueberrydreams · 05/11/2019 23:42

I am a carer
We are a small team of 4 caring for one lady. Her family employ us. One member of staff left six months ago and they decided not to replace her and they have no bank staff even thought it’s been recommended to them on many occasions by the agency that takes care of all the HR. She needs someone 24/7 though a day a week that is family members the staff all work around 40 hours a week.
One of the staff is on long term sick and we have been really stretched and struggling. again no move to get bank staff.

I was admitted to hospital 2 weeks ago with a bad infection. I thought I was better and went back to work last night.

The sister of the lady said how they had struggled to cope without me last week and she nearly had a breakdown.
Anyway fast forward to tonight and about 4pm collapsed in pain and am now in hospital on antibiotic drip and morphine pump.

My partner rang the sister and told her I would not be for night shift and why. The sister was lovely with my partner but then sent me a text saying I needed to come in later in the night once the hospital had controlled my pain as I am needed and she wants me in 6am at the latest to help with the morning routine
I am currently on a ward in immense pain, weeing blood and just want to ignore it or text something back rude

OP posts:
Bluerussian · 06/11/2019 00:24

I agree with posters who say find another job, one with far better conditions of service and enough staff.

Hope you're better soon.

Flowers
BabyCountDown · 06/11/2019 00:34

Wow they completely lack compassion! Wishing you a quick recoveryThanks

Bluerussian · 06/11/2019 00:52

Too right, BabyCountDown!

This beggars belief; who cares for the carers? I'm not at all surprised you're ill, op. Exhaustion lowers the immune system.

Take your time getting well and look at adverts for other jobs.

Blueberrydreams · 06/11/2019 00:56

Thought I would be asleep by now pain eased off a bit but ward so noisy.
I have never worked in care before this, we have basically been told we need to give 48 hours notice before we are off ill and if we don’t give that notice it is up to us to arrange cover. This was not in a contact we have signed it was sent in a email afterwards and told this is how most care jobs work.

Just had another text off employer saying I need to arrange cover for tomorrow morning as it less then 48 hours notice. I am in hospital FFS and it’s the middle of the night
I have texted DH he says to hand notice in. Just a few questions-
Do most care set ups have bank staff. Even if it’s a private care arrangement?
Would I be expected to arrange cover myself?

OP posts:
VanyaHargreeves · 06/11/2019 01:00

Reply and be superbly direct

I am currently urinating blood.

I will not be in for the morning shift.

I will contact you when I am fit for work

If you text again before this, I will take from that that you cannot respect that I am not well and allow me recover; the next text you will receive is my notice

Depends how well you get on of course

But less rude if suits

VanyaHargreeves · 06/11/2019 01:02

Even individuals in their own home use an agency for bank

I know someone who has done this because employees are employees not slaves there has to be emergency contingency cover for people in need of 24/7 care

Good Agencies are VERY expensive though

VanyaHargreeves · 06/11/2019 01:04

No one can give 2 days notice they might be ill, fucking absurd

WhatTiggersDoBest · 06/11/2019 01:14

Tell the woman if you go in she'll have two people to look after!!
No seriously though, don't go in, don't engage, find another job.
And there was a similar thread on here about 2 months ago but the details were different, sounds like it might be the same employer.

ffswhatnext · 06/11/2019 01:25

48 hours notice 🤣
I would text back
Unfortunately, illness don't come as a booking service. They work at their own pace. The only notice I have to give is reasonable notice. This was done when I was admitted. I will be in contact with the agency, and at a time suitable to them and myself I will provide medical evidence.

If she contacts you again
You need to contact your agency and discuss your issues with them.

Then I would block her.

Strange that this and the other op both had to give this batshit 48-hour illness notice.

ffswhatnext · 06/11/2019 01:28

Or text
If I drop dead tomorrow do you expect me to come back and give you 48 hours notice?

Willow2017 · 06/11/2019 01:32

When you got that email you should have replied. "My contract is with the agency not you. Your demand of 48hrs notice is ridiculous I will not be following it. It's the agencies job to find cover not me."

Just txt her back. I am tendering my resignation to the agency as of 9am tomorrow. I will be forwarding your texts and emails to them as reasons for leaving."

Send all her txts to your dp.

Then switch off your phone.

She is batshit. Thus is not how home care works been there done that it's all provided and run by the agency not the care staff. She just doesn't want to.pay for extra cover.
Nasty woman you don't need this crap in your life.
Get well soon.

JohnCRaven · 06/11/2019 01:38

They are clearly desperate but that it THEIR problem not yours. Get well soon Flowers

Willow2017 · 06/11/2019 01:41

i have read something on here similar before but it was not me
Then you know the replies too. It's not legal, she doesn't employ you and has no.say in how much overtime you work or when you are ill. Get out pda before you do permanent damage to yourself. This family if you collapsed at work this family would just step over you while complaining about it.

SleepwalkingThroughLife · 06/11/2019 01:45

OP said she is employed directly by them, there is no agency.

JollyHolly30 · 06/11/2019 01:51

I don't necessarily think you should be making any big decisions like giving your notice, when you're off your tits on morphine, but you would be well within your rights to send a text clearly outlining the state of your health and that obviously you will not be coming in until you're well. Tell them that as you are in hospital, you will be unable to arrange cover for your shift and then stop replying.

Shinesweetfreedom · 06/11/2019 01:55

Don’t you fucking go in.
The cheeky bitch for Christ sake.You are in hospital
They won’t employ more people and whine that they can’t cope.
Tough shit,they will just have to deal with it.
You rest up and don’t go back.
It’s a good job I don’t know you in real life or I would be well and truly sticking my oar in,tying you to the hospital bed and telling them to get to fuck.

cannycat20 · 06/11/2019 02:02

(Warning - novella-length post ahead Wink)

The other member of this household managed a nurse bank for many, many years in our local hospital. Under duty of care, if someone was as ill as you sound, of course you wouldn't be expected to come in! Risk of infection for the people being looked after would also be something of a factor...

For what it's worth, my other household member left the NHS (long story but basically when they left their job, which they were constantly told they were cr*p at despite consistently recruiting excellent staff who often went on to become permanent employees, they were replaced by four people. Two of whom were automatically put on the next band up. The hospital had refused to upgrade my friend for several years, despite the fact they were evidently doing the job of four people. At the point my friend left the hospital had especially stupid HR who did other things like promote someone from a Band 3 to a Band 7 without either advertising the job or going through any interview process, because this particular Band 3 had a "face that fitted"). Anyhoo, the nursing staff bank at that hospital, and many others, is always recruiting. There is massive demand for bank staff, in the NHS and at care homes. Have a look at the NHS jobs website when you're a bit better, you might be quite surprised. And even as bank staff in the NHS, you still get to pay into what is a good pension scheme, and you also usually get very good training and access to the other staff facilities at your Trust. Plus discounts with some shops and businesses.

When my friend left the NHS, she worked at a local care home for about a year; when their deputy manager, who was excellent, left, the home rapidly went downhill, but even the toxic company running that home has a bank of staff they can call on in case people get ill, and they use agency staff if they can't fill a shift from their own bank.

When she left that company, my friend went to work through one of the big nursing agencies and has never been happier or more relaxed; very occasionally the agency she is with has requests from families for direct care although most of her work is in care homes. This agency alone has masses of work; she sometimes has to turn shifts down. She has been offered permanent jobs several times but she much prefers the flexibility and the fact that when you're agency you're less likely to be emotionally blackmailed or get involved with the petty politics. You also get to see some really good practice (and some really bad practice) and get a real feel for where the good places to work are.

Your employer is not being reasonable. People get sick. Things happen. Life is not a nice, safe, predictable straight line. Maybe have a word tomorrow with one of the nurses or the doc and ask them if they think going back to work is a good idea when you're weeing blood and in such a lot of pain. I would put money on their answer being, "Absolutely not". The NHS doesn't give morphine for just anything, so your pain levels must be very high. They don't give antibiotics for just anything either, so there is evidently infection which I'm sure they'll get to the bottom of and sort out. But it might take a little bit of time.

When you're feeling a bit more with it I'd be inclined to send a response along the lines of "The team of registered medical professionals taking care of me here in the hospital, including doctor/consultant/nurse, strongly advise against my returning to work until I am better. At present I am passing blood rather than urine and my pain levels are approaching ten on the pain scale. The hospital staff have also put me on morphine. Apart from the fact it would be detrimental to my long-term health to return to work again prematurely, as the pain is making it difficult for me to concentrate and make decisions, I would be concerned about potentially making an error in your sister's care. I'm sure you wouldn't want that".

And seriously, when you're better, definitely look for another job. Even the NHS would be better. And I don't know where they got that "48 hours" rule about being ill, never mind the "this is how all care jobs work" rubbish. I don't know about you, but I wish I could see 2 days into the future!

There's some quite useful information at www.which.co.uk/later-life-care/home-care/organising-home-care/how-to-employ-private-carers-aszsg4j2q80m that might help you and at www.disabilityrightsuk.org/being-control-getting-personal-assistants-pas although if you are already employed by an agency the rules might be slightly different.

Hope you feel better soon - I know it's a cliche but you're in the best place. Flowers Flowers Flowers

Ellie56 · 06/11/2019 02:02

48 hours notice to be ill. HmmThis is batshit. How do you know when you're going to be ill FFS?

How much notice do you have to give to die?

When you're better you need to think about changing your job. These employers are totally unreasonable.

Happityhap · 06/11/2019 02:15

That's rubbish about 48 hours notice, and about you having to organise cover.

Text that you can't work as you are ill in hospital.
Then forget about them.

Caledoniahasmyheartforever · 06/11/2019 02:21

Sending hugs as it sounds very much like urinary sepsis which is bloody awful and very dangerous! I would put in your notice but you may want to contact someone when you get home, as I am pretty sure they are acting illegally!

I have had urinary sepsis twice due to long term catheterisation and being severely disabled. I have 24/7 care, NEVER would we EVER treat our carers like this!

I would consider a message

‘I am in hospital with Suspected Urinary Sepsis, I am very, very sick and recovering is my only priority right now! Please stop messaging me or I will be forced to hand my notice in, I should not be being harassed by my employer when seriously ill in hospital!’

Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in soon- I honestly have been left with a phobia of catching sepsis again, please put you first!

Longdistance · 06/11/2019 02:44

How ironic that your employer is in the ‘caring’ industry. It’s not very caring of them is it?
I’d be tempted to tell them to foxtrot oscar.

ffswhatnext · 06/11/2019 02:47

And once your up to it, contact ACAS. Talk to them about your rights.

UniversalAunt · 06/11/2019 03:02

Dear employer, please let me know the most excruciating awkward difficult cumbersome & inconvenient time for you in the coming months.

I like to plan ahead so that I can give you 48 hours notice of being too sick to work.

I’ll can also copy your schedule to my friends who owe me a favour so that I may arrange to ask them to cover for me whilst sick & incapacitated. As you will appreciate advance notice makes for good planning & they need to have enough notice to let me know that I am a mug for considering going to work whilst sick & even lifting a finger to ring round to find a sub.

UniversalAunt · 06/11/2019 03:08

Dear Emp,
I am as high as a kite on the morphine.
Of course I’ll come in later today.
I’ll have just scored a fresh dose so will be feeling fine.
Make sure the landing lights are on so that air traffic control can guide me in.
Huggies kissies
@Blueberrydreams

Hidingtonothing · 06/11/2019 03:13

I would just send back 'don't be so ridiculous, I've been admitted to hospital!' and think no more about it, you're ill and that's that. Hope you're feeling better soon Flowers