Can I be fired for calling in sick on a busy day?

[KevinTheKoala]

I feel genuinley rotten and just seem to be getting worse, what started as a high temperature and severe body aches has turned into a throat so sore I can't swallow, painful ears and one perforated ear drum that is now leaking fluid, coupled with dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath and a bit of chest pain. In short ok really not in a good way and the doctors won't open till Tuesday, out of hours is too far away for me to get to I have no money and can't drive and have 2 children and nobody to look after them. I'm supposed to be in work tomorrow and I really don't see how i will magically be OK by then but obviously it is Easter Sunday - am I likely to lose my job? I can't afford to take sick days, I struggle through as much as possible but I can't remember feeling this ill before.

Not enough info to advise. If you’re ill you’re ill. Sounds like you need OOH medical advice.

How long have you worked there?

Who is looking after your children tomorrow?

Why would you lose your job for calling in sick if you're ill?

1 - you're really quite poorly
2 - you wouldn't want to spread it round your workplace
3 - you can't be sacked for being ill

Hope you feel better soon OP.

If you’re employed under 2 years they can sack you for any reason. You have very few rights.

Only you know if it’s likely.

Have you painkillers and someone to look after the kids? If not maybe a duvet day and take it easy.

I’m sorry you’re feeling so rotten.

Where do you work?

If you've worked there for less than 2 years, unfortunately you can be sacked for "being ill".

(Some caveats for those with disabilities)

I've worked there for about a year now, their dad would be looking after them tomorrow but he won't support me going to a doctors appointment, he tends to think its a waste of time and it ends up in arguments when me or the children have needed to go in the past.

No sensible boss is going to sack a competent employee for one day off.
So how sensible are they and how punctual and competent are you, generally?

I know there’s lots of things that this could be, but have you done a lateral flow?

Yes - I should’ve clarified. You can’t be sacked for one of the protected characteristics.

But the op is describing illness not disability.

Sounds like you have a problem with your children's father rather than your employer.

Tell them now the list of things you’ve put here so they have some notice, you can’t go to work in that situation. Rest today, it sounds awful you poor thing. Take care.

If you have been there less than two years then yes, they can sack you if they choose to.

But, in today's market they are very foolish to lose a good employee permanently for one day.

If you are ill, you are ill.

Your dad sounds like a pain!

Sorry - their dad not your dad!

Have you had any other sick leave since starting there?

There are jobs where it is crucial that every staff member is there for a shift at busy times. If someone is absent, it really leaves the business in a terrible place. Then because you can't book leave on those busy days, some people will call in sick for Bank Holidays etc. So managers are often suspicious of someone who calls in sick on those days.
No-one should lose their job for being ill, but if there is a pattern of people letting them down on busy weekends, it's possible that could happen in some smaller companies. It's obviously not right, but it does happen.
At least let them know as soon as possible so they can try to get cover. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Well you either have a cold, the flu or covid. Going to work is not a good idea as you will get more seriously sick and spread it into the rest of workforce. Ring 111 or equivalent for medical advice.

Ringing in sick isn’t a reason to be disciplined or sacked unless you have a record of absence, poor performance and unreliability. That would need to be documented as part of performance management process. But if you are in a insecure job, less than 2 years employment, then a reason doesn’t need to be given.

Good employers and colleagues won’t want you to come in but might appreciate the heads up to manage the situation. They will be worried about your health and grateful you didn’t give it to them.

Bad employers and colleagues will be upset and might try to bully you or think badly of you. They are likely to assume you are gaming time for the bank holiday. Especially if you tried to get the day off previously.

Couldn’t really say how your employers and colleagues will react or whether they will take action. MN opinion on this won’t matter. You know your employers and colleagues as well as your employment status better than us.

No employer would sack a good member of staff for being ill nor would they want them in to potentially infect the rest of the work force. That said an employer will look at past absence records and if they see a pattern will think the worst.

As you've been there less than two years then then technically yes, you can.

Generally speaking, a good manager won't sack a decent employee for one episode of sickness, but of course it depends on your sickness record, whether you often happen to be unwell or off work on bank holidays and whether you've asked for the time off as annual leave and had it declined.

I have fired someone for calling in sick over a bank holiday before, but that was the third or fourth weekend in a row he'd done it and he was only hired to work weekends!

Lots of questions so I'll try and answer them here:
I work in hospitality,
I am competent at my job and fairly reliable,
I have only had one other sick day for vomiting which I legally have to take 48 hours off for,
I have done a lateral flow it was negative but I'm never sure if I've done it correctly,
And I am well aware of the problems with their dad that's a long story in itself.

@Mucky1

No employer would sack a good member of staff for being ill nor would they want them in to potentially infect the rest of the work force. That said an employer will look at past absence records and if they see a pattern will think the worst.

Absolutely untrue. Plenty of employers would. Not good ones, but there are lots of dodgy employers about.

@KevinTheKoala

Lots of questions so I'll try and answer them here: I work in hospitality, I am competent at my job and fairly reliable, I have only had one other sick day for vomiting which I legally have to take 48 hours off for, I have done a lateral flow it was negative but I'm never sure if I've done it correctly, And I am well aware of the problems with their dad that's a long story in itself.

“Fairly reliable”?

@OnceAgainWithFeeling yes, I am rarely late I think I've been late twice in the last year and only by 10 minutes maximum, and I will always try and cover any shifts that come up if they need someone but I don't always have childcare to do that but I'd say 9/10 times I can find a babysitter to cover the shift.

In your situation I'd probably drag myself in so they can see how ill I am then hope they send me home.

Who is supposed to be looking after your children whilst you’re at work? Do you work from home?

@KevinTheKoala

Lots of questions so I'll try and answer them here: I work in hospitality, I am competent at my job and fairly reliable, I have only had one other sick day for vomiting which I legally have to take 48 hours off for, I have done a lateral flow it was negative but I'm never sure if I've done it correctly, And I am well aware of the problems with their dad that's a long story in itself.

‘Fairly reliable’ doesn’t sound good.