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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to ring in sick today

83 replies

Krisjongun1 · 07/11/2021 06:36

I haven’t had a full day off in 3 weeks. Have had insomnia for the past 3 nights too and it’s a physical job, I barely have the strength to get out of bed.
It’s a person-facing role so they really need a staff member there in order to carry out the job but I just feel like death.
The last time I was off sick they told me I still had to come in as they were short-staffed. So I went in, but other employees have all been off of late.
They know I’ve worked 3 weeks straight and clearly aren’t bothered, I need to look after myself sometimes. Shall I phone in? I bet they’ll still tell me I have to come in. I’m not off sick very often

OP posts:
Bettyboop3 · 07/11/2021 06:42

Sounds like they are breaking employment laws if you haven't had 1 day off in 3 weeks.

tocas · 07/11/2021 06:42

Yanbu doesn't sound like you'd be safe. Not your responsibility to ensure adequate cover either so don't let them bully you. Have a nice rest

CaputApriDefero · 07/11/2021 06:43

I'd phone in sick and if they tell you to come in anyway, say "no. I am taking medication and going back to bed." This one day off could mean enough rest and recuperation that you don't have to take a week off with exhaustion

Original poster
Krisjongun1 · 07/11/2021 06:44

I am supposed to work 12 day runs then 48 hours off which is legal, but every single time I get this break I am asked if I can come in and help as they’re short staffed.
They had somebody come in during her 10 day isolation period after she had tested positive, again because they needed staff.
I have to look after myself as they won’t

OP posts:
fourminutestosavetheworld · 07/11/2021 06:44

I think you'll get a lot of responses telling you to look after your mental health by calling in sick.

Personally, I only call in sick if I am ill and I don't think sleeping badly or needing a day off comes under that umbrella.

I also don't think a single day off is going to help much with insomnia (I am an insomniac myself) or with the staffing issues at your workplace that require you to work every single day.

I would make an appointment with the GP regarding the insomnia and talk to your employer about their expectations, which are actually illegal. Then, look for another job.

Moonshine11 · 07/11/2021 06:45

Ring in sick.
If they ask to come in you say no.
Turn your phone off and get yourself into bed.

Original poster
Krisjongun1 · 07/11/2021 06:45

My next scheduled day off is next Saturday, I was meant to work 7 hours today, I just don’t even get adequate time to do anything.
I can guarantee they’ll ring me next Saturday and say ‘but you’re our only hope’

I am going to be have to be firm today

OP posts:
fourminutestosavetheworld · 07/11/2021 06:45

"I am supposed to work 12 day runs then 48 hours off which is legal, but every single time I get this break I am asked if I can come in and help as they’re short staffed."

You will have to get better at saying no when they ask.

rrhuth · 07/11/2021 06:47

every single time I get this break I am asked if I can come in and help as they’re short staffed

You do need to practise saying no

Moonshine11 · 07/11/2021 06:47

I can guarantee they’ll ring me next Saturday and say ‘but you’re our only hope

Not your fault, they should have planned for all sorts of scenarios so they always have enough staff.

cowburp · 07/11/2021 06:50

I'm sorry what? They made someone come in who was positive for Covid?! And it's a person facing role?! I'd be reporting them to the council for that. And then you'll have to tell them it is illegal for you to not have a break if it is illegal.

Can you look for a new job?

cowburp · 07/11/2021 06:51

If it's physical and you can't do it then you can't do it. No amount of them being short staff will make it safe for possible for you to work.

NiceTwin · 07/11/2021 06:51

Next week, just don't answer the phone to them, then they can't guilt trip you.

authenticforgery · 07/11/2021 06:52

Why are you answering the phone on your day off?

Original poster
Krisjongun1 · 07/11/2021 06:53

I can name 5 employees who hand been off sick in the last 4 weeks, so if they’re allowed to then I should be too

OP posts:
cowburp · 07/11/2021 06:54

@Krisjongun1

I can name 5 employees who hand been off sick in the last 4 weeks, so if they’re allowed to then I should be too
It's not really a matter of being allowed to. If you're sick you are unable to.
Lollolloll · 07/11/2021 06:58

What do you do that is so short staffed and demanding of your time?

I am nhs and even when we were in dire straights with staffing recently i didn’t volunteer to do extra, despite them begging, because it’s also important to get your rest and to recharge your batteries, especially if the working environment is stressful.

It’s not your job to cover for everyone else unless it’s your own business!

Lollolloll · 07/11/2021 07:01

“It's not really a matter of being allowed to. If you're sick you are unable to.”

Exactly!

What are you saying when you’re phoning in sick? Are you saying that you’re not sure if you should come in or not or are you definite that you can’t?

MrsGatsby99 · 07/11/2021 07:08

This is your entitlement under UK employment law (from gov.uk):

Weekly rest
Workers have the right to either:

an uninterrupted 24 hours without any work each week
an uninterrupted 48 hours without any work each fortnight
A worker’s employment contract may say they’re entitled to more or different rights to breaks from work.

What does your contract say? Otherwise, you should have one full day off per week or 48 hours per fortnight.

Do you have a trade union or HR you coild talk to? They sound as if they are breaking the law on a few levels here. (I am not a lawyer though). If you can, a new job might be in order.

MrsGatsby99 · 07/11/2021 07:09

So, i would take today off if you feel you physically/ mentally can't do it but the employer needs to develop longer term legal working conditions for staff.

fourminutestosavetheworld · 07/11/2021 07:10

@Krisjongun1

I can name 5 employees who hand been off sick in the last 4 weeks, so if they’re allowed to then I should be too
Maybe they were sick.
LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 07/11/2021 07:11

You need to get advice from a trade union or acas, this isn’t ok.

If you are unable to work phone in sick.

HighlandCowbag · 07/11/2021 07:13

Is this domiciliary care OP? It's known for it if so. Plus massive staff shortages atm.

The thing is staffing issues are way above your pay grade but they put on so much pressure. I would personally try and get through the week then take 48 hours off and refuse to work any extra, just say you have prior commitments.

fourminutestosavetheworld · 07/11/2021 07:19

Really op I think you just have to be more assertive.

If you are sick, you phone up and say that you are too ill to work and can't come in - it isn't a case of 'being allowed.'

If they call you on your day off, you don't answer, or you say that you can't come in because you have plans.

As you can see from your other colleagues, they are doing this and don't appear to be penalised in any way.

If they are very short staffed then you can't really blame your employer for asking whether you can come in, but you have to learn how to say no.

Kittykat93 · 07/11/2021 07:21

@fourminutestosavetheworld

Really op I think you just have to be more assertive.

If you are sick, you phone up and say that you are too ill to work and can't come in - it isn't a case of 'being allowed.'

If they call you on your day off, you don't answer, or you say that you can't come in because you have plans.

As you can see from your other colleagues, they are doing this and don't appear to be penalised in any way.

If they are very short staffed then you can't really blame your employer for asking whether you can come in, but you have to learn how to say no.

This. You're a grown adult, you can say no.