Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to have handed in a sick note?

83 replies

foreverinadaze · 04/09/2021 04:47

Hey
First time poster but long time lurker

I have been signed off work with anxiety. The doctor has changed my medication and given me a two week sick note. I have a 11 month old and since going back to work I am not dealing well. Not sleeping, not eating, I cry all the time
However work is being nasty about it. I have had messages from colleagues saying how much shit I've left them in, nasty remarks from managers.
Can they sack me for Handing a sick note in? I don't take sick really. I was off the second week I returned back because I was sick and we have a policy of not working for 48 hours. And I had to take a weekend off waiting for coronavirus results, had all the symptoms.
Thanks

OP posts:
Mamamia7962 · 04/09/2021 11:29

Vivainsomnia - It doesn't matter how frustrated someone is, they shouldn't be sending the OP messages telling her she's useless!

OP - Can you use the next 2 weeks looking for another job, lots of companies are looking for staff at the moment.

VillanellesOrangeCoat · 04/09/2021 11:53

Please do talk to ACAS. Or your union if you’re in one. Keep the messages you’ve been sent - they are evidence of bullying & harassment.
Ultimately they can terminate your employment if your attendance doesn’t improve, but not before they’ve gone through the relevant stages of the sickness policy. Mental health issues may count as a disability and require reasonable adjustments, so they need to tread carefully.

As an aside, it’s fecking outrageous that they’re bombarding you with these messages.

MissyMooKins · 04/09/2021 12:00

Fuck them op they seriously could not care less about your mental health and wellbeing. They would replace you in a heartbeat. Don't let them being short staffed worry you one bit. Just focus on you and feeling better.

MissyMooKins · 04/09/2021 12:01

Don't make yourself feel worse pandering to them.

GintyMcGinty · 04/09/2021 12:08

Keep a note of these messages from colleagues and managers and get in touch with HR.

This is appalling behaviour.

You can't be sacked for handing in a sick note. You can be discplined/sacked for breaking their absence policy. This would arise if you were repeatedly off sick or not providing a medical certificate in time. It doesn't sound like you are in that situation.

If you don't have an HR person or dept then give ACAS a call. They will give you free advice on how to handle this siutation.

0300 123 1100 is the number and its open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

QuestionableMouse · 04/09/2021 12:10

If it's McDonald's, get in touch with People Services. They take this kind of thing very seriously.

I can see how it could be frustrating for your coworkers but they need to direct that annoyance at the managers for not hiring enough staff. There's still an expectation for people with MH issues to just get in with things which really isn't helpful.

user1471457751 · 04/09/2021 12:12

You really do need to look for a new job. If you really are spending most of your shifts teary and upset then they could well put you on a performance improvement plan and look to manage you out.

Babyroobs · 04/09/2021 12:12

They are way out of order sending you messages when you are sick. i appreciate it must be hugely frustrating for them having to pick up extra work but that is really not your problem to sort.

HurryUpAndWait23 · 04/09/2021 12:12

Sounds like the job is the issue of the anxiety or at least hugely exacerbating it.

You need to look for other work.

memberofthewedding · 04/09/2021 12:12

As for the bullying and nasty remarks I would respond with the information that you consider this to be harassment and will be passing them onto your legal advisor "for further action" if they continue.

IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 04/09/2021 12:18

Please do call ACAS for advice on the bullying. I don't know why they think messages like that are going to help if they know you are off with stress.

Excelthetube · 04/09/2021 12:20

If it’s a huge ww company they will have systems in place for this
Your “peers” are bullying you. You need to contact your union if you have one.
You need to find out the procedure for complaining about bullying and you need to talk to someone in HR at head office

These big multi national have many things in place but most people at ground level don’t know how the systems work and the bullies rely on that.
Do all this Monday.
Everything else is irrelevant

Excelthetube · 04/09/2021 12:22

You don’t need to look for other work. You need this work to be sorted and fair
People on mumsnet spout such fucking shit sometimes

Excelthetube · 04/09/2021 12:22

Also perhaps post in legal

IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 04/09/2021 12:24

@Excelthetube

You don’t need to look for other work. You need this work to be sorted and fair People on mumsnet spout such fucking shit sometimes
Exactly. If anyone needs to be looking for a new job it's the bullies!
DynamoKev · 04/09/2021 12:26

@Planty13

15 months off is an a very long time to have off, to return to work then take sick leave and get signed off so quickly I must admit OP.

The messages from your colleagues are completely unacceptable and you need to forward them to HR or a manager.

I see a lot of messages like this on threads like this. Who decides what is “a lot” ? Surely people who are ill, are ill?
godmum56 · 04/09/2021 12:41

How are colleagues messaging you?

Original poster
foreverinadaze · 04/09/2021 12:42

Sorry haven't disappeared from the thread. Little ones dinnertime

I will ring ACAS Monday morning. I have saved the messages and will speak to HR and email them Monday as well

I'm so anxious at the minute that even looking for a new job feels so overwhelming. I cannot get the idea out of my head that I'm just gonna be sacked straight away

OP posts:
Original poster
foreverinadaze · 04/09/2021 12:42

@godmum56

How are colleagues messaging you?
Snapchat and WhatsApp
OP posts:
IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 04/09/2021 12:44

Screenshot the messages in case they try to delete

IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 04/09/2021 12:45

Ah you have sorry!

You shouldn't be fired straight away. Nothing you have done is gross misconduct.

Excelthetube · 04/09/2021 12:46

Your colleagues are trying to bully you to leave
And it seems some posters in this thread would think that’s fine

Clearly they aren’t that clever though which will ultimately be their downfall

I can’t think of anything more stupid than sending bullying messages

QuestionableMouse · 04/09/2021 12:46

Stop worrying about being sacked. Even if it did happen, it sounds like you'd be better off out of there.

itsgettingwierd · 04/09/2021 12:51

Furlough was government enforced.

Maternity is a statutory right.

Sickness bugs require time off because that's their policy.

Covid isolation is a statutory requirement.

Anxiety as bad as yours where you are signed as not fit to work by a GP requires time off.

I would send an email to the address you have.

Dear X,

I am currently off work as declared not fit to work by my GP.

The messages I'm receiving are feeling like harassment and I'm seeking advice on this from employment experts.

Please stop sending me messages whilst off sick regarding my absence - any continuation of this will now be considered as harassment.

I'm not doing anything beyond what is my statutory right and I will not recover quicker due to undue pressure and it risks making my illness worse.

Regards

Xxxxx

You need it in writing that what they are doing is unacceptable.

Also if you find out who HR is also look at occupational health. They may be able to get involved and support a change of shift pattern if this will facilitate your return to work.

ambereeree · 04/09/2021 12:51

Keep a record of all their messages OP. Screen shot and save them.