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

[Blueberrydreams]

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

The women in the next bay who thinks she is a a duck and is quacking constantly

Pity you couldn't give the lady next to you your phone and this ridiculous woman's number.

As a matter of interest, does anyone know if hospital switchboards still disclose what ward a patient is on? I thought that had been stopped, but could be wrong ...

Contact the agency. They can deal.

Well firstly @YouTheCat you can Sc for 7 days, it’s a good place for OP to start.

After that her sickness will be sicknoted by a doctor probably weekly but that can be discussed at a later date.

I'd be tempted to let her come. One of the nurses might be good enough to tell her where she gets off.

Don't reply to her. No good will come of engaging further.

Yes, Jellybean, I'm aware of that. My post was in reply to a poster who said the OP should let the employer know when she would be coming back to work. OP doesn't know when she will be better.

Tell her what ward your on, you can get her kicked out by the nurses

No, no, no! Your health is your absolute priority. Their situation is unfortunate but until you are 100% well you can’t work. Otherwise you’ll be run down and back in hospital again!
They need to make other arrangements and that’s that. These things happen and it’s not your fault they don’t have adequate cover.
Stay in hospital, get some rest and the care that you need. Turn your phone off if you have to. The stress won’t be helping your recovery.
Hope you start to feel well soon xxx

If you enjoy working in care, resign from this position and go and work for a home care company. My mum is very disabled and although doesn't require 24/7 care, has around 7 calls a day (2 carers each time). If someone is sick, then your sick. The company finds cover. Obviously when this happens there can be delays etc but 9/10 cover is found with no disruption to the client or their families. Don't know how pay compares but at least you are not responsible for finding cover etc when your in hospital. Absolutely insane. 48hrs notice on illness??

‘YouTheCat

Yes, Jellybean, I'm aware of that. My post was in reply to a poster who said the OP should let the employer know when she would be coming back to work. OP doesn't know when she will be better’

My answer to that 🤦🏼‍♀️
Of course she doesn’t know when she will be better, which is why she should tell her work she’s self certifying for a week and she will update when she has more information.
Goodness me.

Op, I hope you feel better soon and I hope the harassment from work stops soon too.

What part of 'in hospital on an antibiotic drip and a morphine pump' were they having problems comprehending?

Peoples selfishness never ceases to amaze me.

I’ve been told by one customer that she’s cross because I had a baby a took 4 month leave.

Ignore and get well soon

‘The women in the next bay who thinks she is a a duck and is quacking constantly.
Pity you couldn't give the lady next to you your phone and this ridiculous woman's number.’

Hilarious @KatherineJaneway!

But there is sense in this.
If Modom Employer rings, answer phone, no comment, just place phone by Ms Quakers or leave on to relay general background noise of hospital. Think of it as grey rocking.

Seriously, this person is harassing you.
Tell ward staff no info to be given out other than to your husband.
Tell PALs unit that you are being harassed via your personal mobile & greatly concerned that this person will not leave you alone, & are worried that they will find out where you are & come to see you. Based on evidence so far, it will not be to support you but to harass you into going back to work. PALS will listen, & ask you what you’d like - e.g. I would like for this person to not know where I am in the hospital & for them not to visit me? It is PALS who will liaise with switchboard management & ward staff. It is their job to address patients concerns about their wellbeing & safety in hospital.

Thanks feeling a little better they are ok about sending me home with oramorph as the ward is so noisy. I have a duck nearby and a women shouting out she was dying all night. In fact a women shouted back after about 2 hours “get on with it then and give us some peace”.
I really feel for them as they are old and obviously have some form of dementors or have a bad infection. And i also feel for the other patients (and me) trying to get some sleep but what can the nurses do? Not much I would think as everyone here needs treatment regardless of if they are noisy or not.

I felt under real pressure to go back to work after being in hospital last time I should have had another week off.

Not heard from my employer again. They are mostly self funded for those who have asked with an agency who does all the HR but do get some direct payments as well

Dementia i mean not dementors!!!
God no wonder the poor women was crying out if she had dementors flying round her

This makes me so angry on your behalf OP. Nobody can control ending up in hospital. I wish you well for your recovery.

urine infection and elderly can make them a bit erm, out of character shall we say. messes with the head and makes some of them confused, as evidenced on your ward.

It's not just the elderly affected by UTIs. I had one a few months ago and completely forgot how to make a cup of tea. I just stared at the kettle thinking "this has something to do with it, I think" and then collapsed on the floor.

Glad you're feeling a bit more in control now OP - fingers crossed mad-boss-woman leaves you in peace.

I'd have resigned by now

48 hours notice to be ill?! Bloody hell! I've heard it all now.

I am very lucky that due to my care needs, I have been given a single room in my two most recent stays in hospital. Saying that, I was on the infection ward as I had sepsis. It was exhausting enough having Doctors, microbiologists, nurses, auxilliary nurses and family. I would not have coped with other patients noise.

I hope that your infection levels are down OP and that your antibiotics wipe the infection ASAP.

OP please leave this shit show of a job, they do not care about your wellbeing at all they care about how much money they will loose on agency staff etc, if it were me I'd go on the sick but also take it further with the boss they are harrasing you, you need to get proper rest or you will end up back and forth. I'd go on the sick whilst looking to start a new job in a month or 2. Make yourself a priority

OP, I hope you are home now & feeling better! What a shit thing to happen, certainly can't have helped you in your recovery.
Don't go back to work until you are really feeling 100% - the relapse was probably because you went back too soon.
If you can afford it - do quit this particular client!

Whilst I totally understand why you would want to get home asap, if your "employer" has been harassing you even whilst you've been in hospital ffs, imagine what she'll do once she realises you've been sent home? She'll assume you've recovered and can come back to work!

DO NOT engage further with her. Don't tell her where you are or give any more information about your condition. Ask the doctor for a sick not and send it in the post.