To think I will be dismissed for sickness record?

[nojob]

I started a new job last October with 3 month probation. I was told in January that my probation was to be extended for 2 months 'due to absence' as I'm not fully trained up yet and haven't been able to demonstrate I can meet the required standard. They said they are confident that I should meet the required standard by the end of February.

I have been off sick for 10 days in total (2 days in November, 2 days in December, 1 day in January all due to very bad periods and 5 days last week due to a heavy cold.). Can they decide not to pass my probation even if my performance is ok? They haven't said anything yet but I get the vibe that they are not very supportive of sickness. I missed some important training when I was off last week. Should I be worried?

5 days off for a cold after they've already formally mentioned your absences is taking the piss

My boss would have been incandescent with rage if anyone took a week off for a cold! And you did so after you're already been warned about your sickness. And you've just started a new job, have a terrible sickness record and are about to ttc? What are you thinking?

Seriously, how old are you, OP? And is this your first job?

I tend to agree with you OP, I do think they will let you go due to your sickness level.

I would start looking for a new job.

I would suggest you come up with an action plan fast as to how you would avoid this in future. Conceiving may help your period symptoms but honestly they do not have to give you any more leeway in the meantime. Your absence is almost one day a week. No staying late and working hard will compensate for a lack of training to enable you to do the job you were recruited to do. They could dismiss you tomorrow.

The cold was very heavy, I could hardly get out of bed for the first few days and I had a very high fever, it could have been the flu actually, I told my employer flu symptoms. Went to doctor twice and he sad some kind of cold/viral infection, but gave me precautionary antibiotics as I was feeling so unwell

I don't know how I missed this. Are you related to the MNer who was stranded on the worktop while her husband had to bring her medication, and then managed to get her mum to find her an emergency doctor's appointment, while everyone else is just dosing up and trying not to die?

"Precautionary antibiotics" are the reason why antibiotics are becoming useless. GPs have to prescribe them because patients will kick up such a rumpus if they're told that they have a common cold and that it will run its course.

FFS.

I wouldn’t have extended your probation.

I'd be very worried & be likely to fail you.

I have an iron deficiency and a B12 deficiency, also on iron tablets amongst others. It doesn't automatically mean that you will need days off work though... Your employer wouldn't look at that and realise that you would need 2 days off per month.mm

So in your previous job you were taking at least 12 days off a year ! I don’t think I’ve had that much time off in 25 years of working in the NHS in close contact with all kinds of viruses/ infections from my patients.
I’m sorry op but if I were your employer i would be showing you the door. The fact you don’t even seem to realise it’s an abnormal amount of time off is staggering.

What makes you think that you know what every GP surgery does Twillow? My GP only prescribed a precautionary AB for me yesterday, same as a PP I see to avoid taking up other appointments in the surgery

I've been close to that level of sickness in a previous job, it was just bad luck (2 bad ear infections that never really cleared and flu so bad the GP said I may have to be hospitalised) I had to have a meeting but that was it.

That was an extraordinary few months, and it was awful being continually ill, I wouldn't have managed a child during that time. Personally, I would try and get to the root of the issue before you have a DC. They can be physically harder than work, especially when you're not well.

A couple of days a month . As pp have said, you’ve been doing this so long it’s begun to seem normal to you. It’s absolutely not.

They haven't told me where I stand yet...is that bad practice?

An employers worst nightmare is someone who thinks they’re entitled to a few days off each month and are determined to somehow make out the employer is at fault

This must be your first job?

And you went to the doctor twice with a cold? .

That's a shocking sick record in a few months op.
When I worked in the civil service years ago the policy was cause for concern / disciplinary after 3 absences or 10 days off in any 12 month period, whichever came first.
If they were aware of your sickness record and health issues from your last job when they hired you then maybe they're making allowances for that.
I'd tread carefully especially if you are still on probation.

DH and I are thinking of TTC soon so that wouldn't work

Christ, so you're going to carry on taking two days off per month for the next nine or so months, plus five days for a cold every few months and then bugger off on maternity leave?!

I didn't realise a couple of days each month was too bad

That's crazy, hopefully having read all the replies you are now under no illusions that it's taking the piss territory.

So in my old job I would usually only take one day sick a month

that is still an unacceptable record. I don't think you have s grasp of what is acceptable in a workplace and what not.

this are 12 separate sickness absences. most employers would trigger action if you have more than 3 absences in a calendar year. your previous employer was very lenient. You need to understand that this is not the norm.

they already extended your probation and have you on their radar. Either you pull yourself together and are from now on in for the next 12 months without fail or be prepared to collect your p45

Four lots of absence since October, I honestly wouldn't want to employ you. Sorry!

I’m very much of the “if you’re ill, you’re ill” school of thought and can’t bear martyrs, but 4 instances in 4 months is a ridiculous amount. At my work you get a warning if you have 5 instances in a year. You need to get back to the GP and tell them it’s affecting your work life.

If you missed some important training last week, having already missed so much you didn’t pass probation on schedule, why do you imagine you’re in any position to pass it now?
You seem completely clueless, and forgive me saying; not a particularly great asset to the company that they’d be anxious to keep you.
Hope I’m wrong.

I had a dreadful cold the week before last and was literally on my knees for 3 days at work, but there no way I would have considered calling in sick.

This is how colds get spread.

Why did you leave your old job if you knew how often you were off sick and we’re planning on TTC?

They've only formally mentioned my absences once, when they extended my probation. Should they give me a warning first?

That IS your warning OP!

So you plan to pass your probation despite not being there for a lot of it, then take a day off at least a month until you’re pregnant, then hopefully you’ll be fine and not take a day () off for morning sickness and then disappear for a year.

@OldHarrysGameboy and @Milanda
I don't claim to speak with any medical experience, only the posters in the surgery and this from the NHS website!

^Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs and sore throats.
Antibiotics are no longer routinely used to treat:
chest infections
ear infections in children
sore throats
When it comes to antibiotics, take your doctor's advice on whether you need them or not. Antibiotic resistance is a big problem – taking antibiotics when you do not need them can mean they will not work for you in the future.^

I don't doubt that there is something in what you say about farming, too!