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?

Why can’t you get the implant or pill to stop them then?

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

The implant is the fucking devil, @CakeandCustard28. I’ve had about 2wks off my period since November

You will not keep any job doing this. During probation you are expected to work hard and take no time off sick.

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

I've been in a job for almost 2 years.

I have had 3 sick days. In 2 years

I've been in my current job over 12 years.

I have had precisely 0 (zero) sick days. In 12+ years.

Just being honest but 10 days off sick since last October is a lot of time to take off by anyone’s standards, including staff not on probation.

I can see why they’d be concerned and if I were you I would make sure you’re not off sick again. They can absolutely let you go without as much as a reason if they so wish.

It's true. It wouldn't be considered a sacking during probation- they just wouldn't pass you, which is pretty standard across the board.

They can also let you go if you've worked less than 2 years without an issue legally.

If your periods cause you to faint why don't you run your pill packets to reduce the frequency?
I can't believe you called in with a cold after you'd been told your absence was an issue. Surely you could dose up with paracetamol and lucozade the battle through day?
If you were in my team with that amount of absence in probation period you'd be gone I'm afraid! Especially if they're picking up on your attitude that you don't think it's that bad!

@IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece
You sound like you think your work are being unreasonable for not giving you prior warning and if they did choose to get rid of you then they’re in the wrong

I agree, its not your works fault you are sick

@TryingToBeBold

Yes I understand that, sorry it's just how women's health issues are dealt with/ regarded in general. Far too many women are dismissed and told to get on with it when there actually is something amiss.

I used to have pretty normal periods, just some unpleasant cramps that could be alleviated by a couple of over the counter painkillers. I didn't know how awful they could be.

Realise I'm ranting and risk derailing thread so will shut up now

I don’t think my DH has had a sick day in 6 years and he’s a full time accountant. He gets colds but he just takes paracetamol

I'm really sorry but I would be pushing for formal sickness management if you worked with me, that sickness rate is quite shocking. In the NHS where I work it takes ages to get rid of people so you'd probably be aLright but you need to improve things anyway.

To compare, I've had one episode of sickness in 3 years and I don't think I'm that unusual. My husband has had hardly any sickness in his career.

Offices using Bradford scale would probably consider that an automatic warning/disciplinary.

They haven't told me where I stand yet...is that bad practice? The only thing they have said is that they think I'll pass after the extension

OP you seem quite fixated on trying to find fault with the employers behaviour which is quite worrying.

You’re also fixating on them saying that you’re likely to pass after the probation extension, but have since had 5 days off for a cold.

The only person who is at fault in this situation is you I’m afraid.

I don't believe you OP. Doctors don't hand out 'precautionary antibiotics' for colds. And I can't believe any sane person would go to the doctors TWICE in one week with a cold.

The reason probation periods exists is so that an employer can tel how reliable a person can be. I have a health condition but only had 10 days off in the whole year last year. To take 10 days off in your probation period won't do you any favours at all. In my company they can tell people on probation to go home with no notice.

Probation is when you're expected to be on your absolute best behaviour.

Do you want to stay working there OP? You don’t have to if it’s not working out for you. Are you enjoying it?

I do love hearing all the MN I've never taken a day off sick competitiveness though

it's only employees on PAYE who tend to take sick days though, self employed staff or contractors miraculously manage to get on with it.

I don't know many people at all who dare taking 5 days for a cold. Unless they are in the same union than the poster who after a year off still claimed all her holiday entitlement. Allegedly.

5 days for a heavy cold !!. Seriously thats pathetic

It really depends on the job, like I said I took a lot of time off but my cold meant no voice which means no work. A heavy cold for me means it affects my voice

Can’t you see how bad this is OP?

@99problemsandthecatis1
*They haven't told me where I stand yet...is that bad practice?

No.

And you need to stop trying to find something to catch them out on and stop having time off!“*

This ^ You need to be convincing your employer that you’re doing all you can to have your health problems addressed, and show them you appreciate the problems recurrent absence causes.

But the fact is- if you are regularly sick that often then you can't do your job can you? I'm sorry for you that you have these health problems, but you cant have it both ways. You cant expect to be absent from work that often on a regular basis and just expect the employer to suck it up without saying anything.

If it was your money paying the wages I highly doubt you'd be happy to continually pay for someone who was often never there, meaning productivity takes a dive and your co workers are burdened with your work as well as their own. You keep trying to imply they are being bad or wrong. They arent. Its not their fault you keep being off is it? You need to reduce your hours if you can manage full time work and have more realistic expectations of your actual ability to do the job. Right now, it seems like you arent capable of this job.

I'm astonished that your probation was extended because of sick leave and then you took another week. 5 days for a cold is crazy! You'd be long gone in my company.