To call in sick at work

[Katypp]

I have already posted this in the Work topic but posting again for more responses.
I found out yesterday that my job is at risk of redundancy. Not wanting to go into too much detail, I am in a team of seven, all with different specialities but no-one sticks to these and everyone basically mucks in and does everything. On certain shifts this general work is required for the whole time.
I have been told that my specialist area is no longer required and the company needed to concentrate on the other things my team (including me) do already.
I am the only one in the team at risk, so I am pursuing this as unfair.
In the meantime, I am looking for advice about calling in sick from today. I was on late shift last night (after the bombshell in the morning - meetings etc done before I actually started work) and had to spend seven hours doing the work that was not my speciality area and the very work management have said they want more of, hence getting rid of me.
Am I reasonable to call in sick citing stress on that basis?

Start keeping a record of how much time you spend on each task. If you are looking to fight it. You could also file a grievance for age discrimination if you wished.

It may be legitimate- if you are higher paid and doing lots of the work of a junior now- that they just don't need someone more senior there. In which case there may be an opportunity to rehire you on a lower salary for what they feel the job now is.

I think if you are past caring and are happy to let them make you redundant going off sick just makes it a sure thing and gives you some peace while waiting for the axe to fall.

Seek advice as suggested and go to work.

Thanks all. As far as I am aware we are all paid about the same (I am probably towards the low end as I have only been there two years).
I don't want to keep my job but I do want an enhanced redundancy package. I have spoken to ACAS and am waiting for a call from the legal helpline from my insurance company.
I will go into work but will document everything I do and how much of my time is actually spent in my specialist area and how much on general stuff

I would go to work but only do the work that is my specialty while I was there.
If they are saying you can't do the other work then just don't do it. What can they say?

Ah you didn't like my response when you first posted this morning then OP?

And you've changed your story now from "possible redundancy" to "definite redundancy" and from "doing different general work" to "doing this specific work they're making me redundant for"?

The original post: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/work/4938953-redundancy-calling-in-sick

I'll repeat my answer since you repeated your question.

If you are genuinely too stressed to do your job, you shouldn't feel bad about being signed off with stress.

If you are just doing it to retaliate for the rejection, YABU and also causing problems for people with real MH issues who find it very hard to stay in work due to pisstakers and malingerers ruining it for everyone.

IDK how on earth that offended you, so good luck in AIBU. 🤣

In that case, I wouldn't think twice about calling in. You may not get signed off by the Dr but you can self certify for 7 days.

I can 100 percent assure you he didn't. Arse that he was to me, he is a straight arrow.

@SisterMichaelsHabit can I ask why you are being so aggressive and plain nasty? It sounds like you think you have a monopoly on MH leave?
I assume if you were in my position you wouldn't ask yourself the same question? I think, in the circumstances, implying I am a pisstaker and/or malingerer is just downright unpleasant and unnecessary tbh

Were you there for more than two years, or less than two years?

@AgaMM Just over two years. 2 years 2 months

I wouldnot at present, keep going save any sickness absence for when you really feel you need it. Start serious job hunting & sign up to agencies, make this your priority from now on. I would just get through the work shifts at present just doing what needs to be done and focus on applying for other jobs.

Ok, was concerned it was less than 2 years as you would have had fewer rights.

You’ve not been made redundant, you’ve been told you’re at risk of redundancy. Most likely your role will be made redundant but this is your opportunity to prove that you can take on another suitable role. Going on sick leave won’t help with that.

I’ve been made redundant once, and then at risk of redundancy another time. I know it’s really upsetting and you just want to take a FU approach to the company. But think of the bigger picture.

If, however, you are happy being made redundant and just want the payment, then by all means go on sick leave or work to rule.

Not if he was clever. Sickness records, performance etc are all valid reasons to select for redundancy, and perfectly valid criteria.

Thanks for all the comments. I did go in in the end and have documented all the tasks I did last night that I supposedly don't do.
It's hard going though > I am barely sleeping or eating and feel permanently sick and teary.
It's hard to accept that work are evidently so keen to get rid of me they are not even thinking about alternatives and reaching their conclusion properly.

I have no sickness on records and no performance issues ever flagged - my manager has twice said my selection is no reflection on my work or performance. So the only conclusion is they just want rid me

i think they wouldnt blame you for taking a day op @Katypp

If you want the redundancy package you need to be above board

I will be fighting for an enhanced redundancy package in leiu of pursuing an unfair dismissal claim I think

As a general rule, ask yourself if you'd still need the day off if you weren't getting sick pay.

Your following posts do sound like you're genuinely struggling, apologies for not reading before replying.

Call in sick. I've never known of someone being told they are at risk of redundancy keeping their job.
From the minute they tell you, you're already out as far as I'm concerned.
Get a fit note from a GP though (you'd need to be signed off for at least 2 weeks as you can self certify for 7 days).

You need to ask for the selection criteria for redundancy to make sure it was fair

In that case I'd make sure they don't dismiss you for absence before then. So if you think the process will be quite quick then yes one day off won't hurt. But if you trigger their absence policy and they want rid of you then they'll manage you out that way - cheaper.

The way you wrote your post you are not stressed to the point of unable to do your job but you want to use 'stress' as an excuse. On that basis I would say yabu.

I would contact your union regarding the redundancy situation to make sure all is fair and square with the selection of staff being made redundant. Have they offered an alternative role? Stuff like that. Get advice from your union.

Of the others doing the same similar job, have you been there the shortest?

So the only conclusion is they just want rid of me

They want rid of someone.