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Original poster

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

138 replies

KevinTheKoala · 16/04/2022 07:44

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.

OP posts:
Anotherpassengerwantstogetoff · 16/04/2022 08:11

high temperature and severe body aches has turned into a throat so sore I can't swallow

Along with shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness…have you done a covid test? Maybe if it comes up positive work won’t want you in anyway?

covid.joinzoe.com/post/new-top-5-covid-symptoms

MoniJitchell · 16/04/2022 08:14

Dose yourself up with ibuprofen and paracetamol, get back to bed and rest up all day and you may be OK for tomorrow.

If you've only worked there a year and you've had an absence already I'd really try to get in tomorrow. Obviously you if you're too ill you can't but rest up today and you might feel better tomorrow.

ToiletGambles · 16/04/2022 08:14

As PP have said, they can fire you. If I was you I would get plenty of painkillers/medicine in your system today and try and pull yourself round. If still no good by 5ish then phone and let them know. The more notice the better then at least they can try and cover the shift!

Original poster
KevinTheKoala · 16/04/2022 08:15

I say fairly reliable because I can't always cover the other shifts but I have only called in sick for my schedules shifts once before and while I have been late it was only twice and only by a maximum of 10 minutes.

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 16/04/2022 08:15

I'd send a member of staff home if they turned up that ill!!!!

Can you ring and speak to your boss today and explain? They may be grateful for the heads up and being able to arrange cover in advance.

You'll probably find there's lots of staff who will happily work Easter Day as often it's busy meaning more and better tips!

JulesRimetStillGleaming · 16/04/2022 08:16

Sorry to be pedantic but you don't have a perforated ear drum. You can have a gunky ear without a hole in the drum.

Beseen22 · 16/04/2022 08:17

If you have a fever, SOB and chest pain present to A&E quickly.

Aprilx · 16/04/2022 08:17

@KevinTheKoala

I say fairly reliable because I can't always cover the other shifts but I have only called in sick for my schedules shifts once before and while I have been late it was only twice and only by a maximum of 10 minutes.
I cannot imagine a world in which I would describe myself as being “fairly reliable”. It wouldn’t look good on a CV either. Not being able to cover shifts which are not yours, is not the definition of unreliable.
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 16/04/2022 08:17

Are you a nurse OP?

itsgettingweird · 16/04/2022 08:18

It's actually horrifying the number of people advising going in when this unwell to prevent the possibility of being fired.

I had hoped the one things covid h is as a society is infection control and staying off work when ill.

But nope. Even a pandemic that's affected peoples lives for over 2 years hasn't taught anyone (employers and employees) about staying away from busy places when ill. Sad

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 16/04/2022 08:18

You don't know how you'll feel tomorrow so there's not really much point agonising about it now.

I've had days where I felt horrendous but after plenty of sleep, medication, rest and fluids I've felt reasonably okay the next day and have been able to work.

On the other hand you may wake up and barely be able to get out of bed, in which case the decision has been made for you.

If you're too unwell to work, it is what it is and you'll just have to suck up the consequences either way. I suspect in most workplaces it'll be a return to work interview/meeting and perhaps a verbal warning about your absence.

thebabynanny · 16/04/2022 08:18

They could fire you, but recruitment is a nightmare at the moment especially in hospitality so they’d be pretty foolish to do so.

Original poster
KevinTheKoala · 16/04/2022 08:19

@JulesRimetStillGleaming I've had perforated ear drums in the past I definitely have a perforated ear drum, I felt the pain build up before it burst and then it started leaking once it popped and I can't hear anything out of it now, it does hurt less on that side now though but I've experienced this several times.

OP posts:
AchillesPoirot · 16/04/2022 08:19

@ChristmasAtHogwarts

Are you a nurse OP?
She says she works in hospitality.
Thinkingthinking · 16/04/2022 08:22

Wouldn't it be better for your workplace if you called them today and explained the situation? Then they have a better chance of covering you and not being left short staffed. If they require a doctors note then your OH will need to support you getting an appointment.

HighlandCowbag · 16/04/2022 08:23

I would ring them today and tell them how ill you feel and see if they can arrange cover. Tell them you will try your very best to come in, even if it's only to cover the busiest period but you can't promise. Hope you feel better soon.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 16/04/2022 08:24

I would be tempted to go in and hope they send me home…!

lhjjhdjsdhkshdbc · 16/04/2022 08:26

As suggested by PPs tell your boss now. They need to arrange cover. Don't tell then you might come in if you know you won't as they won't know whether to arrange cover or not. That will annoy them.

Sexnotgender · 16/04/2022 08:27

Calling in sick to a hospitality job on a bank holiday weekend doesn’t look the best. If you’re ill you’re ill though. Could they fire you? Yes. Will they? Probably not as most hospitality venues are struggling to get staff.

Get yourself to a doctor. Don’t make excuses about your ridiculous childrens father. He doesn’t get to control your access to healthcare.

Bunnyfuller · 16/04/2022 08:31

I’d go in to get sent home. Doesn’t matter how ill you ‘sound’ on the phone, bosses are more convinced seeing you at least trying to get in.

I work for the police and they have a really tight sickness policy - even getting covid would now count towards unacceptable attendance triggers.

To the pp who thinks this shouldn’t be the case, and that you shouldn’t try to go in when sick, for the majority of people in non-executive positions this is the reality.

MimosaFields · 16/04/2022 08:31

Can you afford Push Doctor online appointment today?

SpiderinaWingMirror · 16/04/2022 08:32

Yes they can if you have been there less than 2 years.
But they would be mad to.

Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 16/04/2022 08:32

Hold old are your children?
What is your relationship like with your employer?
If I rang in sick, I don’t think for a second my employer would think I was faking it because Easter Sunday because they know me

Who would’ve looking after your children if you were working as planned?!

Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 16/04/2022 08:33

Oh sorry their father would be looking after them

Your ex?

toomuchlaundry · 16/04/2022 08:34

How large an organisation is it? Student DS works in hospitality part-time. He is often put on a rota so calls in just before the shift starts to see if he is required that evening, due to lack of staff. He was asked at short notice yesterday to work a day shift (normally does evening) as short staffed. Hospitality are crying out for staff so hopefully won’t sack you. Phone them up today and explain the situation. Even if you feel better tomorrow sounds like you may still be contagious