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?

I really suggest you stop name checking clients eyelash

Either you didn't actually have pneumonia or you are the OP's boss. Or you are totally mad. You do know that you can die from pneumonia and it takes weeks to fully recover from it?
Not true. Yes pneumonia can kill. It can also be quite mild. When I was diagnosed with it, I was feeling loads better within a couple of days, when the strong antibiotics kicked in. It didn't feel any different from a normal chest infection.

previous to that 8yrs took 1 day off which I asked to be deducted from my holidays

Why?

To compare OP, I’ve been in my job for 16 years. I’ve had about three sick days (flu) 15 years ago and NOT a single day off sick since.

2 days a month is appalling.

I know everyone has different pain thresholds and what one person would be able to deal with, another would be bed ridden for a few days. But 10 days off since you started and 5 of them with a cold is a bit excessive. In your shoes op is have dragged my arse into work come heaven, high water or nightmare period.

If course they can choose not to make your role Perm. They also don't have to give you any notice or warning. That's the whole point of probation periods. It's not so much that it's taking a long time to train you, regardless if your performance is good, you've got no performance if you're not there and someone will inevitably have to pick up your workload.

2 days off a month is 24 days, add that to 4 weeks holiday (a guess) and bank holidays. That's 52 days off a year, that's over two months a year you won't be at work. An extra 5 weeks off work a year on top of your annual leave and bank holidays. Would you employ you op?

This has to be a pisstake, surely nobody can be this dim?

DH and I are thinking of TTC soon

It’s at times like this I feel sorry for employers. You have a terrible attendance record and will put them in a position where you’re impossible to get rid of.

I can’t see why they extended your probation- I’d have had you gone after the first three months and two periods of absence.

Bearbehind have reported my post to be removed. Baby brain.

(And also yours for quoting).

OP I had terrible periods up to my twenties - taken time A&E several times. I understand how difficult it can be. But what are you actually doing to get it sorted? Because so far you’ve listed why you cannot be at work but nothing that you’re doing about it.

I am very sympathetic to period pain but I cannot imagine what your mum needs to do to help you during - I’m sure she’s just there for you and that’s nice; but that doesn’t cut it as a working adult who needs to be in a position to work and then try to conceive.

That’s fine eyelash

In the words of Lord Alan Sugar " You're Fired"

Mefanamic acid and the pill Yasmin have worked for my 15yo daughter. Prior to this she was crippled every month but still usually went to school; if she felt so unwell I'd pick her up. She's not a martyr though, if she couldn't cope she'd tell me.
Do go back to your gp, I know you say you want to TTC but I'd hold off for a while yet if you want to stay employed.

Yes. I would be worried. Probation periods exist for a reason, to show you're reliable, have a good work ethic, are suited to the role.

10 days in 5 months is appalling.

1. go and see your GP. Your periods shouldn't necessitate your calling in sick. If they're that debilitating then something's wrong. You say you want to TTC but perhaps it's better to deal with the current issue first?

2. a "heavy cold". Seriously? What's your role where you can't work with a damned cold? Are you a specialist care nurse working with immune suppressed patients? If so, you'd still go to work and be sent to another department for the duration.
   "My head felt heavy and I could barely get out of bed"
   Yet you went to the GP TWICE for a damned cold.
   "Precautionary Antibiotics"? Christ alive, you're hilarious and I don't buy that for a moment. You don't get antibiotics for flu or a cold.

No. Your work haven't done anything wrong.
Yes. They can fire you out of the blue. They can literally tell you tomorrow to take your things and leave. This is the point of a probation period. It protects them from you.

A dreadful sickness record OP. You should have waited until you passed probation before 'swinging the lead'.

I worked in the public sector for years. In my department that level of sickness was the norm. Some folk used to work out the maximum number of sick days they could be absent before HR got involved and take them. Only fair, senior managers were allowed to 'work from home' one day a week. Funny how they could never be contacted on those days! The lower-ranking staff saw sick days as 'compensation'.

I agree sometimes people just have a run of bad luck. A disciplinary and written warning is brought against staff in my place after three absences.

During one year I was off for 2 days with food poisining, 1 day with broken foot (able to come in with crutches after cast was fitted) then I caught the worst throat infection, completely lost my voice and had a fever. I went to work with it because I knew the procedure would be triggered but my line manager sent me home and told me to take a few days.

She got on to HR and advised them that it was a run of bad luck and I hadn't had a days off during the previous four years. They didn't proceed with the displinary meeting and I accepted a verbal warning rather than a written one.

I had shown my value. I'm don't think your employer will extend your probation and I don't think you can fault them on how they've dealt with this. They have been more than fair

You need to wake up and give yourself a reality check. It isn't acceptable your level of sickness - at best you put pressure on your manager and colleagues to fill
In for you at worst you've done someone more deserving out of a job. It's awful having to performance manage people and you put undue stress on the good honest hardworking person. You've got a rubbish work ethic

I had a DVT and pulmonary embolism when I was at uni.. if I took too much time off I would've had to re-do the year.

I was in hospital for 12 days, discharged on the Saturday and hobbled into uni on crutches, dosed up in medication and looking and feeling like death... I fell asleep in a lecture and collapsed in pain when I tried to move around campus.

It was then agreed I could have an extension to some essays/work placements within reason.

I took that week off and then went back. It was difficult but I coped.

And I was genuinely, life threateningly ill.

In my working life I have had the odd day off sick, I've had a week off with a heavy cold but when I was heavily pregnant and couldn't take anything to ease the symptoms..also my lungs are damaged due to the pulmonary embolism I had and therefore I have to try and avoid chest infections etc.

Op I'm not trying to play top trumps but can you see the difference? Most people are willing to work even when they don't feel too well...many push themselves too far (which is not a good thing!).

However it's shocking that you don't seem to think this is an issue!

I am genuinely shocked that your old enmpkoyer was happy for you to take a sick day a month!!

period pain? i get it as i get them badly but get strong meds and do something about it. 5 days off for a cold? Honestly get a fucking grip will you, if my 11 year old DB managed to go into school weekly and even do his SATs tests whilst only nipping to the hospital for his chemo when he had cancer im pretty sure you can dose up on paracetmol and get your arse into work when youve got period pains or a cold. Shocking. And no, its not normal to have that many days off ffs.

Are you for real OP? You seem very naive. Do you really think any organisation is going to find that level of absence acceptable? You need to get yourself sorted out. Who would want you as their employee? We all need colleagues we can rely on.

Imagine if you did had a baby and you hired a nanny who had your attendance record! Would you be happy to pay someone who just didn't turn up for 10 days in 4 months? Well thats what is happening to your business - they are putting money in your account every month in return for your labour - not you not turning up. But then I guess if your nanny didn't turn up you'd just happily stay off work....

A small company can't absorb that level of sickness, I can't imagine pi will get through probation no matter what the reason you are off.

A poor colleague of mine dragged herself into work during a miscarriage OP. You need to get a grip. A cold is absolutely no reason to be off sick. I work with children and have toddlers, I'd be off every week! Don't even get me started on the periods. You're giving women a bad name.

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

Can you afford to TTC when you don't have a permanent job?

Also, you might want to rethink that your mum can help with the baby during your periods. You need a better plan just in case she can't. My mum got cancer when I was 26/27 and she died. You can't expect family members to always be in the position to help you so better think of a plan b for just in case. Tbh I don't think you should have a child if you can't take care of it yourself. So much can happen in a life you shouldn't want to rely on others.

On a more practical note, naproxen (highest dosage that I'm allowed to have) is the only thing that works for my periods. I literally couldn't stand up straight without it. Try it, it might help you.

Lol, I love how this thread is bringing out the 'I went into work even though I was in a coma on life support, they just wheeled me in on the bed' brigade 😂

I'm shocked your previous employer accepted 1 day monthly of sickness and then a WFH day! I have never worked anywhere that would be so lax about high absence

I think as you have gone over 3 months u might have greater legal protection but check this out. You are lucky they have kept you on this long ... have they extended your probation in which case could still be out on your ear if attendance and performance unreliable. If you have an underlying disability you have declared you will have better protection. Suggest trip to Citizens Advice and or googling English employment law.

Jumped from page 1 to 14 so unless I have missed anything rucial I would have sacked you.