What would you do? Lying about time off for covid

[forthesakeofsanity]

I’ve just recently found out that my colleague took extended time off for covid illness (sick note) but continued to work at her other part time job. Basically she caught covid and had the 2 weeks off that were required back then (year ago). Our work place are very good with taking time off with covid to protect vulnerable. If you say you are still ill, they won’t pester you to come in until you are fit and ready. All paid during time off and doesn’t go against you on the staff absence policy.
Anyway, she got a sick note from her GP for an extra 2 weeks claiming she had severe breathlessness and fever. Our work place were absolutely supportive and fine with extra time off. Now it’s been revealed to me by a very reliable source that she wasn’t even ill and after the isolation period of 2 weeks she continued to work at her other job. In fact she increased her hours there as she didn’t have to work at her main job.
I’m a little upset by this revelation as so many of us were actually badly affected by covid. I feel like going to our line manager and reporting her. Am I being unreasonable to be this pissed off?

Yeah I know two people (nhs) that did this during covid and were dismissed. Its fraud and if an investigation is opened they can absolute verify this if it was a this job was paid officially and taxed etc.
I hate people that do this but I'm not sure I would get involved. What goes around comes around.

She'll meet her downfall eventually.

Why would you involve yourself? There's nothing it for you and it could backfire.

You can be getting sick pay from one job while still earning wages from another, that's not fraud. For example, Jane works as a waitress at a catering company and also as an advisor at a call centre. Jane breaks her leg and is not fit for work as a waitress so is signed off sick from the catering company, she is getting sick pay for this. She is still able to work at her call centre job as she is sitting down so is still attending there and getting wages, she might even do a few extra shifts there as she doesn't have any catering shifts. All perfectly legal and not fraud.

OP, you'll only look like a snitch and no one likes a snitch. I don't mean that on a personal level, I mean professionally. In a previous role I assisted with internal sifts for positions on our team, as it was a small team with a high case load we needed people who we knew would knuckle down, would pull their weight, and would fit in with the ethos of the team. Anyone with a reputation for drama, gossiping, running to managers, being lazy, etc was automatically filtered out because we had no time for it. Having a word with your manager over this might seem like nothing but if it causes the shit to hit the fan you need to be prepared for some of that shit to hit you, especially if nothing comes of the allegation and then you're left looking like you stirred up a load of trouble for the sake of it. I'd leave it alone, the truth will eventually out if there is any truth to it.

This in MN, OP.

If this colleague isn't a Tory or a landlord you'll just get loads of "snitches get stitches" 🙄 and "keep your nose out" type comments.

It's the same with benefit fraud and cash-in-hand tax/vat avoidance. It's all fine on MN as long as the perpetrators are part of an MN regulars approved group.

(If they are a Tory or a landlord then crucifixion is too lenient, of course. 😂)

OP has no proof though other than second hand say-so that happened nearly two years ago and isn't provable, she'll look like a shit stirrer taking it to her manager which will damage her own reputation while having little to no impact on the colleague in question.

Well tell her you are reporting her and then do it.

If you are going to rat her out at least have the courage of your convictions and tell her it was you.

Why is it bothering you a year on?
Let it go and accept her life path is hers alone.
Enjoy your life.💐