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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this is a threat of my manager?

62 replies

bloatedandfedup · 23/08/2021 19:05

I've had some time of due to IBS and vomiting the GP has given me a sick note today for two weeks.

I have emailed my manager to let her know that I have had a few bad days and don't feel well enough to return.

She emailed me back to say she will have to check when my start date is to see where I am in the sickness policy.

I'm still in my probationary period so I am
Worried about loosing my job but I can't work when I'm this sick.

AIBU to think this is a dig? We are badly understaffed so I get it, but I'm already worrying about other things let alone work.

OP posts:

Sewannoying · 23/08/2021 19:08

Do you get paid sick leave? If so, it could simply be that she’s checking what level of sick pay you are entitled to.

SilverTimpani · 23/08/2021 19:08

Is she normally passive aggressive or difficult? If so it may we’ll be a dig, but if she’s usually decent it might just be her way of letting you know you might not be entitled to sick pay. Did she ask how you were or express any sympathy?

insancerre · 23/08/2021 19:09

Are you entitled to paid sick leave after a length of time?
You might know how long you’ve been there but your manager may need to check, they can’t be expected to remember everyone’s start date
I wouldn’t jump to conclusions but I would read your employer handbook or contract

fellrunner85 · 23/08/2021 19:09

How much time have you already had off? And you're now signed off for a further two weeks?

I don't think your manager is having a dig, she's just trying to follow the policy. Which is the right thing to do.

gobbynorthernbird · 23/08/2021 19:10

I don't think it's dig, more factual.

helpfulperson · 23/08/2021 19:11

I think your company has graduated sick pay so what you get depends on how long you've been there. If a long standing employee told me they were off for 2 weeks I'd assume they would get paid for that. With a newer employee I'd check in case it was statutory sick pay only or only a few days full pay.

Nurseynoodles · 23/08/2021 19:11

She’s trying to do the right thing. Managing you includes managing your sickness record.

I am confused how you got a sick note for 2 weeks for IBS and vomiting. Surely that kind of thing is very likely to be a bit more short term?

insancerre · 23/08/2021 19:12

Also your manager may have to use the Bradford factor where sick leave can trigger a disciplinary warning
It’s normally triggered on the 3rd episode of sick leave

FeatheredHope · 23/08/2021 19:13

Unless there’s a back story here I think she’s just trying to factual.
Most people on probation are not entitled to anything other statutory sick pay, in other words it normally falls outside of any firm sick pay schemes.

Peace43 · 23/08/2021 19:14

I don’t get paid sick leave during probation so would need to check similar for any of my staff (different rules depending on country they work in).

Nextchapterofmybook · 23/08/2021 19:14

Usually managers have to tell people ASAP if their salary is about to change. If for example you don’t get any sick pay then you need to be notified that you’ll be getting 2 weeks pay rather than 4 in a month

nimbuscloud · 23/08/2021 19:17

She is doing her job.
It’s not a dig at you.

Original poster

bloatedandfedup · 23/08/2021 19:23

She's normally very difficult to deal with and has had a few complaints against her. I had 1 day sick then took my planned annual leave but I was sick the whole time.

I have IBS-C I've been going weeks without going to the toilet and vomiting. GP has changed my medication so I probably won't need the full two weeks but that's what he has given me.

I'll cut her some slack then

I'm NHS if that makes any difference

OP posts:

HorridHamble · 23/08/2021 19:27

Our policy has trigger points, something like 10 days or 3 absences in 6 months is the first trigger point. Our sick pay depends on length of service.

I will warn you though. I had to take sick leave and thought the company understood that I was trying very hard to resolve it and had procedures to investigate, all of which I was open about. Sadly, at my probation review they let me go due to my absences. Took me a long time to get over that. With hindsight I can see the business point of view. I demonstrated I was unreliable (and at that time I was, even though I was unwell).

Whadda · 23/08/2021 19:27

She does have a responsibility to ensure that you’re aware of, and understand, the sick leave policy as this may impact you in terms of pay, or probation.

How long have you been employed there in total?

Any mitigating circumstances that you’ve made her aware of- disability, pregnancy etc?

Returnoftheowl · 23/08/2021 19:29

I wouldn't say it's a dig. Managing you also means managing your sickness record.

BrilliantBetty · 23/08/2021 19:41

It's probably to do with pay. I don't think you are entitled to sick pay while off sick so she probably has to check your start date and contract.

Having said that, unfortunately it's not a great start even if it is unavoidable so you perhaps should gear your self up to not passing your probation (hope that doesn't happen) it would probably be blamed on something else though.
Seen it happen to new employees more than once!

Dontwatchfootball · 23/08/2021 19:53

There is nothing there which is a dig. She has to manage her staff and that includes their absence.

HalzTangz · 23/08/2021 20:23

It sounds like she just wants to confirm what level of sick pay you will get (if any depending how long you have been with the company)

NeverDropYourMooncup · 23/08/2021 20:30

@bloatedandfedup

She's normally very difficult to deal with and has had a few complaints against her. I had 1 day sick then took my planned annual leave but I was sick the whole time.

I have IBS-C I've been going weeks without going to the toilet and vomiting. GP has changed my medication so I probably won't need the full two weeks but that's what he has given me.

I'll cut her some slack then

I'm NHS if that makes any difference

Yeah, you're about to be told in a meeting on your return that you aren't allowed to get ill again. Not her having a dig, it's the official procedure.

Did you take out union membership when you started?

Original poster

bloatedandfedup · 23/08/2021 20:46

@NeverDropYourMooncup I was expecting that, I filled it out but never went ahead, will go ahead and do it now! Thanks for reminding me.

OP posts:

CosmicComfort · 23/08/2021 20:56

If you are NHS, it’s likely just to be sickness management, just following policy and not too much to worry about unless you have multiple episodes of sickness.

It’s protocol but really pretty meaningless. The NHS is completely incompetent at dealing with repeated sickness IME. Drives me nuts sometimes as there are some people that just take the piss, knowing that nothing much will happen!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 23/08/2021 20:57

[quote bloatedandfedup]@NeverDropYourMooncup I was expecting that, I filled it out but never went ahead, will go ahead and do it now! Thanks for reminding me.
[/quote]
If they still give the choice, opt to pay by direct debit rather than through payroll. It'll mean you're covered earlier.

And that way, when she say's 'can you pop in for a quick chat?' (only for you to find that there's somebody else there and it's actually a formal disciplinary for sickness absence) you can say 'I'll need to contact my rep and sort out their availability'.

PheasantsNest · 23/08/2021 21:22

That's a lot of time off for IBS. I have Crohn's and never had that amount of time off.

TillyTopper · 23/08/2021 21:25

It sounds like a genuine check to me. Perfectly valid.

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