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?

It definitely depends on the cold - if I lose my voice I can't work, and I was off for nearly 2 weeks with some virus thing over Christmas that was like a cold, but I had no voice at all
But without an underlying condition it's a bit different

You have no employment rights under 2 years.
You took 5 days for a cold?!?!
You would not be kept on at my place

They’ll let you go . Be prepared .

Did they pay you for all 10 days?

your Bradford factor is 160. most companies see it as an issue if it goes above 45/50. You are way above.

I have very heavy, very painful periods and migraines, I've had 4 days off in 12 months so your excuses are pretty feeble to be honest. 5 days off for a cold?! Everyone's got a cold! It's winter! Get yourself some lemsip OP.

Would you employ someone who is going to be off work a few days every month? They have every right to let you go and it's in the best interest of the business to be honest. You're unreliable. They gave you a second chance and you blew it with the excuse of having a runny nose.

It’s not necessarily the amount of sickness, it’s the reasons for the absence.

Five days for a cold is taking the piss, maybe one or two when it’s really heavy. And you need to get your periods sorted out or you’ll leave her and not last anywhere in another job.

If you were at my workplace you’d have been let go probably after the second instance. It’s about reliability and at the moment since October you haven’t had a full month without any sickness. That’s worrying.

you would be on a formal sickness review for that level of sickness. 5 days for a cold! in the 30 yrs that i have worked i very rarely went off sick perhaps two days a year .....apart from when i lost my baby at 22 weeks

Sorry but ten days has since October? WTAF? Five days for a heavy cold? Nooooooo.

As someone who has managed menopausal excruciating pain and flooding and has had no sick in ten years i would sack you, sorry, but this is ridiculous.

I dont want to be mean but everyone else is being super kind, I think your are taking the piss.

My periods are very painful and heavy so I take painkillers and wear proper sanitary pads. Also a heavy cold is just a cold again I would have taken medication and would never ever consider phoning in sick! You will not be anyone to rely on and probably be off constantly. Man up!!!

That level of sickness is taking the piss unless there's really good reason (not a cold).

If a probation is lengthened I've never known it to be a good sign. The fact that they've only mentioned your record once is either a miracle or they're polite.

Yes they can fire you. Be prepared. See the doc ASAP to sort out your difficult periods (lots of things are possible) before your next job.

Not sure how it would work for probation but at my work we do return to work meetings for every absence. You're allowed three in a rolling year.

First one - just a general chat checking you're ok.
Second one - a chat checking on you, let you know the date of your previous one, a reminder of the policy and asking if there are any issues.
Third one - A slightly more serious chat, make sure you are fully aware of the policy. Asking if there's anything we can do to help etc.
Fourth one - Passed to HR.

I'm assuming you self certed which makes it more difficult. Are you able to show that you are working on your period issues and did you declare that you had issues when you applied?

OP you are taking the piss. I'd fire you. I'm sympathetic to genuine illness but if you literally cannot do the job you are employed for (evidenced by the fact youve even missed vital training) then it really doesnt matter the reasons for your absence. Its irrelevant whether people are sympathetic or not- if you cant do your job then you cant do your job.

You clearly cannot do this job if you're off work that often. Thats not fair on the company or your colleagues. Maybe you should go part time if you cannot manage a full time post.

That is a very high absence rate, so I would be worried

Unless you mean the flu 5 days off for a cold is ridiculous

they dont have to keep you on even if you never missed a day youre on probation

I'd be worried. 10 sickness days in that time is a lot. Sorry.

5 days for a cold!! I had pneumonia in November and wasn’t even off a full week

I doubt the OP will be back, but FIVE DAYS for a cold? Total piss-taking. I'm shocked your probation was extended tbh but I would safely say that you've blown any chances of being kept on with the five effing days for a cold.

Woman up OP.

Is this your first job?

I'll be honest OP, if you worked for me, I wouldn't extend your probation & I would dismiss you with that kind of sickness record.

I'd go to the doctor for help with your periods
They can give you things like trans something acid

Hope your ok you're getting a rough ride on this thread

You'd have to be absolutely blinding at your job for me to pass you off.

You're running at 2.5 days off sick every month, out of an average of 21.5 available. So you have a running sick rate of 12.5% which just isn't sustainable.

They don’t need to give you any reason in your probation or the first 2 years really.

Look at it from their side - you’ve been off sick every month since you started there - what are they supposed to do?

It’s not school - you’re there to do a job they need doing - you can’t just keep not being there as they’ll either manage without you entirely or find someone who they can rely on

As hydeandrun says, your Bradford Factor is high at 160. If you continue to take 1 day per month and no other sickness for the rest of the year it will reach nearly 2500 which is ridiculous. You need to see the GP and sort out your periods so you aren't incapacitated on a monthly basis - that is very concerning from a health viewpoint nevermind an employers.

Unfortunately your employer may well decide not to pass your probation on this basis - what sort of rapport do you have with your line manager? Could you explain to them but show you're addressing the issue with the GP (assuming you do)?