Work and their phoning in sick policy

[QuestionableMouse]

Work have decided that if we're off sick, we have to phone in and let them know even on days when we don't have a shift.

I'm finding it a bit excessive and think if we don't have a shift, then we shouldn't have to ring in.

For example - at the moment I only work Fri/Sat/Sun so if I rang in sick on those days, I'd also have to ring in the rest of the week unless I had a sick note.

Aibu to think this is a daft policy? The last thing I want to do when I'm ill is worry about getting in touch with work unless I'm actually meant to be in!

Have they said why? It does seem a bit overkill, but maybe they are struggling with planning, and knowing that people are still ill between shifts is useful for them?

It is weird but I suspect it is for forward planning so they know if you are likely to still be off on your next shift.

Maybe ask for a compromise on reporting if you are better, or reporting once midweek (wednesday) so they have time to cover your shift the following weekend if needed.

I think it's too much, who wants to contact work if they don't have to and they aren't even expected in.

Fair enough if covid related but I think anything else is excessive

How would they know if you don’t tell them?

I work PT and this would really piss me off.

But you’re not off sick of you are not working

Nothing to make you do this
So don’t

Thats ridiculous.

Frankly if u are well enough to wake up early every morning and faff about with phone calls other than ones to the drs u are probably well enough to work.

Must play havoc with sickness records fir staff. You'd be down as calling in sick without missing a shift

Have a lot of people been off lately? Have people left?
Could be a heads up so to speak if your unwell leading up to your shifts if they've been dropped in it a lot.

If you be became sick on Sunday night you could be well again by the following Friday but would you have sickness marked on your record?
To be honest I would hold off ringing in until nearer the time to make sure I knew that I needed to be off.

They haven't said why but yes, we have a lot of people off due to Covid isolation.

I'd have thought just for forward planning. Part time staff who know they're going to be off for their shifts days ahead can have cover arranged.

Surely that's not too much to ask?

Is it perhaps because peopme have had Covid or need to self isolate but haven't given enough notice.

If DH had Covid on a non shift day, he would contact his work ASAP so that they can get others to cover.

When I phone in sick I have to estimate when I'll be back. Easier said than done sometimes

How's it forwards planning though.

Most stuff u probably feel better after a day or two. Its only covid that warrants being off even whilst perfectly healthy for 10 days.of someone suspects they need a covid test then yes they should warn management. But if someone's off for a stomach bug ajd the 48 hours is iver all on days off then why would u need to call

Ignore it.

If you are sick on a Monday it’s none of their business. Who’s going to tell them?

Common practice where I am

Does it help with forward planning of shifts to know if you have recovered or not?

Regardless of how often, I agree with phoning not text or emails.

My work Is the same it's ridiculous. I'm

It sounds like it has been communicated really badly. If it's to do with planning and covid etc they should make that clear. And also they should be asking you if you wouldn't mind giving them a heads up and accepting a text unless it's a day you are due in.

Do they call you to cover shifts at short notice? Maybe it's to do with planning for that?

@hedgehogger1

When I phone in sick I have to estimate when I'll be back. Easier said than done sometimes

Yes I get asked this too! I don't know how I'm supposed to know on day 1.

We just had the exact same email this week. It's ridiculous. I want to be left alone to wallow if I'm
I'll. allegedly it's so they can check we are ok?!!!

We already have a policy of agreeing the next contact when someone is off. And look at when they are next working etc. This is really not needed. @QuestionableMouse I don't suppose you work in a large trust in a city in the East Midlands?

Why do they want the information? If they haven’t told you ask.

It’s your personal health data so you’re entitled to know why they’re recording it. I can’t see how on earth it would help planning.

Could it be so they know if you are returning for your next working day? In your case, if you call in sick mon, tues, wed and Thursday then there is a good chance you won't be back Friday so they need to sort cover but if the last day you call in sick is Tuesday, then they know you'll be back Friday

@PegasusReturns

Why do they want the information? If they haven’t told you ask.

It’s your personal health data so you’re entitled to know why they’re recording it. I can’t see how on earth it would help planning.

Because if you've a rota to cover you need to find someone to cover. If someone told me today they'd be off sick on next weeks night shift I'd best start looking for someone else now.

But if you thrown up Monday afternoon but aren't due to work til Saturday evening you've just re arranged everyone's shift for no reason.