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Original poster

To think I will be dismissed for sickness record?

999 replies

nojob · 18/02/2020 19:02

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?

OP posts:
EBearhug · 19/02/2020 12:21

I suspect that the OP is ignoring us all

Maybe she's working...

viques · 19/02/2020 12:24

OP, A word of advice. Don't tell your employer you are ttc. In the unlikely event that they are wavering about possibly agreeing to you passing your probationary period, then the realisation that they might have to put up with your health related absences during a pregnancy will certainly not help the decision going in your favour.

Wink
TheSoapyFrog · 19/02/2020 12:31

Go back to tour GP about your periods. There are several medications you can be prescribed to reduce the bleeding which don't involve contraceptives. You should be having tests etc. I do sympathise as my periods are rotten and have caused me to be hospitalised on a few occasions. I've had my children now so am looking at more permanent surgical solutions as contraceptives do not help me anymore.
I don't think employers will be sympathetic if you're having time off each month though for periods

Fredastaireatemyjamsandwich · 19/02/2020 12:32

I hope for your colleagues sake they let you go. My company (private, but 200+ employees) let people take the piss continually. Unfortunately we don’t have an HR department. We have a staff handbook, but it isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. They contact the company solicitor whenever they need legal advice.There are at least 6 people across the organisation who regularly skive. There’s one who has gout every time Liverpool is playing and he is rota’d to work on a Saturday. There’s another who eats dodgy takeaway food and has a stomach upset at least every few weeks. When they take the piss, other people have to take up the slack. I have no respect for my management who continue to turn a blind eye. I love my job, and like doing it well, but don’t feel appreciated by management, not when they don’t do anything.

Don’t take the piss op. When they let you go, go and find a new job, and if you feel slightly unwell, take a deep breath and just go in and do your share. Have some respect for your colleagues.

Spidey66 · 19/02/2020 12:33

in the NHS we are not allowed to take time off work

Eh? Of course you are. I had 3 days off sick last week with a stomach bug. Still working for the NHS. I have also in the past been off sick, the longest time 3 months after a hysterectomy.

DowntownAbby · 19/02/2020 12:45

Fucking hell Shock

This employer must be incredibly lenient and understanding (weak) to not have had you out on your ear already.

AhNowTed · 19/02/2020 12:51

The first time you rang in while on probation would have raised an eyebrow.

The second time serious questions.

The third time I'd have told you not to bother coming back.

PhilCornwall1 · 19/02/2020 12:52

@nojob ultimately you just need to adjust your attitude to work. All of this looking for loopholes in policies isn't worth it in your probationary period. Your sickness is enough to give you the boot, but actually they could "creatively invent" a different reason to say you haven't passed your probation. I've seen it done and have done it once myself.

You need to realise very quickly, if an employer doesn't want you there, they will ultimately get rid of you. In your position, you are cheap to get rid of (I.e it will cost them nothing), as you've been there less than two years.

Just knuckle down, stop taking sick leave for farting the wrong way and just hope you've not already screwed up.

KatherineJaneway · 19/02/2020 12:54

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

But you've been off every month for the last few years. That indicates you rather like the time off as you haven't actually done anything about it like try the coil.

I did state low iron an heavy periods on my medical assessment so they are aware.

If I read that, I wouldn't equate it to someone being off a few days each month.

LilyLovesLacey · 19/02/2020 12:54

The first time you rang in while on probation would have raised an eyebrow.

Why? Are people magically supposed to not get sick during their probation? I get she took the piss, but to raise an eyebrow at the first call in? Jesus.

Nowayorhighway · 19/02/2020 12:57

Yes of course they can let you go and they probably will. Ten days off in four months is a lot, it’s more than two days a month. You should visit your GP if periods are so bad they’re affecting your work and five days off for a cold is frankly ludicrous, the flu maybe but a cold?!

I wouldn’t really blame them for letting you go.

Herringbone31 · 19/02/2020 13:00

Yes. They scan fire you for no reason for up to 2 years since you’ve been employed. We don’t have rights in the uk till after 2 years now

Be very careful. You’ve taken the mickey.

AhNowTed · 19/02/2020 13:03

@LilyLovesLacey

While on probation, for period pain, for 2 days, within weeks of starting. Yes an eyebrow would be raised, but forgotten if there was no repeat.

The rest of it is just ludicrous.

LilyLovesLacey · 19/02/2020 13:07

While on probation, for period pain, for 2 days, within weeks of starting

Why is being on pribation or being within weeks of starting relevent. If two employees were sick, one is in probation and the other is not, you would really look at the one on probation worse just because they were unlucky in the timing? Or does this just appy to period pains and sickness?

Herringbone31 · 19/02/2020 13:10

If you faint often due to low iron. You’ve told the drs that the pills make you feel sick right?

You need a specialist haematologist. He might prescribe blood transfusions. What is your iron level?

Herringbone31 · 19/02/2020 13:12

You also found an absence procedure.

They don’t have to follow this till after 2 years. You’re on probation.

PhilCornwall1 · 19/02/2020 13:13

Why is being on pribation or being within weeks of starting relevent. If two employees were sick, one is in probation and the other is not, you would really look at the one on probation worse just because they were unlucky in the timing? Or does this just appy to period pains and sickness?

The other who is not on probation would have a known sickness record, the person on probation wouldn't.

Willowashen · 19/02/2020 13:15

@AhNowTed

Your attitude is nonsensical. Why isn’t it acceptable to take time off for sickness during probation but it is if you’re not.

The only conclusion I can draw from this is that you believe all sick leave is essentially skiving, but that you are more tolerant of “skiving” when employees have been in your employment for a longer period. Hmm

Surfer25 · 19/02/2020 13:17

I don't live in the UK. There is a different system over here.

@Turquoiseduck

So why comment on matters of English employment law and procedure when you dont know what you're talking about

PlomBear · 19/02/2020 13:22

In a couple of roles I’ve been off sick in the first six months:

Broken limb meaning I couldn’t leave the house - six weeks off work, signed off sick.

Flu followed by pneumonia - signed off sick for two weeks

Nothing happened to me, I wasn’t sacked or disciplined. Life happens!

I’ve had bad runs of luck before - broken limb then tonsillitis then hospital investigations with possible cancer.

Bearbehind · 19/02/2020 13:23

So why comment on matters of English employment law and procedure when you dont know what you're talking about

Exactly

If the OP had been required to obtain a doctors certificate for her absences then I suspect they would have been less frequent

MrsCollinssettled · 19/02/2020 13:23

The OP reminds me of a colleague who was found to have put future sick days into her (paper) work diary which was discovered when she was off sick and someone was checking if she would be free for a meeting.

She was reprimanded but didn't last long as her casual attitude to coming work was reflected in her outputs and that led to her dismissal.

You're not selling yourself to your employer OP which is what you should be doing during your probation. Any employer keeping you on is just storing up problems for the future. I would be letting you go whilst it is easy to do so.

ilovesooty · 19/02/2020 13:27

I've worked with people who when they'd done so many hours covering for sick colleagues took a day off sick to make up for it.

thenightsky · 19/02/2020 13:30

It also reminds me of a junior doctor we had on our team who used to say things like... 'ooh I've not been off Sick this month so I'd better take a couple of days next week!'

MimiLaRue · 19/02/2020 13:32

So why comment on matters of English employment law and procedure when you dont know what you're talking about

I wondered the exact same thing Hmm

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