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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think colleague is lying?

47 replies

zaraaraz · 15/07/2021 16:22

Colleague had an operation last year. We have to cover a Friday shift at work every 2-3 weeks. For the last few she’s done she is claiming that the hospital had a last minute appointment so she needs to go.

Aibu to think that hospitals done have numerous sudden last minute appointments that occur at the same time and always on a Friday? And that even if there was she wouldn’t always be the patient that the appointment was offered to?

OP posts:

Zarene · 15/07/2021 16:24

It might well be a specific clinic that only runs on a Friday.

Lougle · 15/07/2021 16:25

This is believable, actually. Most clinics run on specific days.

SummerWhisper · 15/07/2021 16:25

It does seem suspect, but I presume her manager needs to check the validity of the appointment unless she is going 'in her own time' rather than in work time.

luxright · 15/07/2021 16:26

I am currently receiving outpatient care and my appointments are always the same time on a Friday morning every 2 weeks so yes, totally possible.

Mansplainee · 15/07/2021 16:28

I work in HR. We once had a member of staff who faked having cancer and wasn’t caught out for almost a year. So nothing would surprise me any more.

Caselgarcia · 15/07/2021 16:29

Seems unlikely but I would play her at her own game, a couple of days before she is due to work a Friday say
' I thought I'd better let you know in advance that I've got a last minute emergency appointment at the dentist on Friday so won't be able to cover for you and Sandra has a last minute cancellation for her smear test so she can't either'

Teaandjam · 15/07/2021 16:45

None of your business. It’s your employer that’s being talking for a ride.

Original poster

zaraaraz · 15/07/2021 16:46

@SummerWhisper

It does seem suspect, but I presume her manager needs to check the validity of the appointment unless she is going 'in her own time' rather than in work time.

I’ve never had to provide letters etc for when I’ve requested time for hospital or nurse appointments.

OP posts:

Teaandjam · 15/07/2021 16:46

@Mansplainee

I work in HR. We once had a member of staff who faked having cancer and wasn’t caught out for almost a year. So nothing would surprise me any more.

How did you catch them out?

Original poster

zaraaraz · 15/07/2021 16:46

@Teaandjam

None of your business. It’s your employer that’s being talking for a ride.

It is when it’s creating more work for me.

OP posts:

Cooldryplace · 15/07/2021 16:48

This is why we always ask for appointment letters (or text if that's what there is).

Not becuase we don't trust staff, we do and most of the time there's no need, but every now and again there's one that makes you go and if you routinely ask for them for everyone, it doesn't feel like an accusation like if you single someone out and ask for it.

Twatalert · 15/07/2021 16:49

I'd be surprised it's always last minute, not that it's the Friday.

I am currently in outpatient care and my appointments are always a Saturday, so annoying. But I know them weeks in advance.

It must be a quite serious issue to have last minute appointments, especially with the Covid backlog.

seepingweeping · 15/07/2021 16:51

My breast clinic appointments are Thursdays, I get letters out with my appointments and get phone calls asking me if I can swap so it's actually quite plausible theyre swapping or offering her a cancellation.

MoreAloneTime · 15/07/2021 16:51

Some clinics depending on the nature are prone to a lot of chopping and changing when patients have to cancel appointments (often due to a more pressing medical need like an emergency admission) and the team try to make use of the freed up slots.

Virtually all clinics have set days.

What the person is saying is believable in of itself, obviously I don't know how honest a person they are.

Mansplainee · 15/07/2021 16:53

@Teaandjam a member of their team came to speak to us to say they were suspicious. We looked into it and called the GP to confirm a fit note, and found out that they had doctored all of the fit notes and hospital letters. She had gone to quite some effort!

RyanAirVeteran · 15/07/2021 16:53

Head and neck clinics Monday and Thursday.

Breast clinic Wednesday and Friday.

This is in our local hospital.

Her health is none of your business.

unicornpower · 15/07/2021 16:55

I'm having growth scans and they are always on a Friday morning as its at a small hospital and they only do pregnancy ultrasounds on a Friday AM. I have had to provide proof in the past though so maybe she has and you aren't aware of it!

caughtinanet · 15/07/2021 16:57

@RyanAirVeteran

Head and neck clinics Monday and Thursday.

Breast clinic Wednesday and Friday.

This is in our local hospital.

Her health is none of your business.

Unless I'm misreading it the OP isn't making the health her business, I think most people might be a little questioning in this situation if it's affecting their own work.

The repeated last minute nature raises a perfectly understandable thought about whether the appointments are genuine

Everywhere I've ever worked this would something that would raise an eyebrow

pubble · 15/07/2021 16:59

It is when it’s creating more work for me.

Raise that with your manager then

Jojobees · 15/07/2021 17:04

You aren’t contractually obliged to cover her shift though are you? That’s your managers responsibility to fill the shift.
Both my sons are under various teams at the hospital, and certain clinics are always at the same rough time and always the same day.
Depending on what it is, for example if it’s physio there will be a physio assigned to her and likely she is offered other people’s slots that have cancelled as it’s her physio with time available.
I think if you have an issue with covering her shift take it up with your manager.

MoreAloneTime · 15/07/2021 17:05

Agree with PP, focus on what you can do. If you can't always cover the shift then focus on that part not your colleagues healthcare.

peboh · 15/07/2021 17:09

It is absolutely possible a last minute cancellation happened. Depending on where she sits on the list it is also possible she is the first called. Her health is none of your business. You just need to tell your boss you cannot cover her shift as you weren't rota'd in and already have plans. Simple.

maddening · 15/07/2021 17:16

Yes I guess it could happen, and it could always be a certain day as it could be when that dr/hcp has a clinic at that site. Eg I see a muscular skeletal chap at the moment and all his appointments at my gp office are on a Tuesday, have not quizzed him but I expect he runs clinics at different gp sites.

OhRene · 15/07/2021 17:23

My husband had a vasectomy appointment call on a Thursday evening for the following day. It happens. That said, if it happens a lot with your colleague I would be hesitant to believe it every time (if it had anything to do with me, that is). It reminds me of a colleague who must have had a dozen grandmas with all the times she died....

Teaandjam · 15/07/2021 17:25

[quote Mansplainee]@Teaandjam a member of their team came to speak to us to say they were suspicious. We looked into it and called the GP to confirm a fit note, and found out that they had doctored all of the fit notes and hospital letters. She had gone to quite some effort![/quote]
That’s awful. I just can’t believe people do that.

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