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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How many sick days are you allowed to take?

604 replies

Abigail47 · 09/08/2024 18:55

In my last job, they didn't really care that much about sick leave. They would let people take up to about two weeks uncertified sick leave, and if you were certified for sick leave, you could take months of sick leave. They also didn't do return to work meetings for sick periods of less that five days.

I only took about four days sick leave in a year in that last job.

I started a new job seven months ago and I'm in shock.

I've taken four days sick leave in the whole seven month period. Two different periods of two days. I was sick. They were uncertified (as I had moved to a new area and hadn't registered with a local doctor in time) and I didn't get paid.

After each period I was called into an office with a manager and made to do a return to work meeting.
I was told in each meeting that too much sick leave can leave to contract termination.

My colleague just took five days certified sick leave, and on her return they said the same to her, that too much sick leave can lead to contract termination.

Aibu to think that four days sick leave in a whole year is not a lot.

Like we are going to get sick . Everyone does.
In one of my sick periods I totally lost my voice with a chest infection. I couldn't speak at all and I have a customer facing role.

What is sick leave like in your organisation?

OP posts:
northernballer · 09/08/2024 18:57

That would be seen as a lot for a new starter at my workplace.

redkiteonatree · 09/08/2024 18:57

we have no allowance. if someone is long-term sick, so be it. but we have a return to work meeting after each absence. it's standard. we only get SSP so people are rarely off and only stay home if absolutely no other way.

Doggymummar · 09/08/2024 18:57

It is a lot I think. I've not been sick in the last 5 years. We use the Bradford factor and three periods of absence would be dismissal, unless signed off or as a result of an accident at work.

Original poster
Abigail47 · 09/08/2024 18:58

Doggymummar · 09/08/2024 18:57

It is a lot I think. I've not been sick in the last 5 years. We use the Bradford factor and three periods of absence would be dismissal, unless signed off or as a result of an accident at work.

But sure people get sick.

It's a fact of life.

What are they supposed to do if they're sick in your organisation?

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 09/08/2024 18:59

Work from home if you can or be sick, but know the consequences

Original poster
Abigail47 · 09/08/2024 18:59

Doggymummar · 09/08/2024 18:57

It is a lot I think. I've not been sick in the last 5 years. We use the Bradford factor and three periods of absence would be dismissal, unless signed off or as a result of an accident at work.

Jesus I thought my job was bad.

How can you dismiss someone after three sick periods.

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 09/08/2024 19:00

I’ve always had to do return to work meetings for any sickness - it seems standard
your previous employer sounds really slack about sick leave TBH

Original poster
Abigail47 · 09/08/2024 19:00

Doggymummar · 09/08/2024 18:59

Work from home if you can or be sick, but know the consequences

Not every job gives an option to work from home.

My job doesn't give any option to work from home.

We are in the office five days a week

OP posts:
Mandarinaduck · 09/08/2024 19:00

where I work anything over 2 days sick has to be certified but there is no restriction or limit and no return to work meeting. If you’re ill, you’re ill - what can you do?

Notamum12345577 · 09/08/2024 19:01

Abigail47 · 09/08/2024 18:55

In my last job, they didn't really care that much about sick leave. They would let people take up to about two weeks uncertified sick leave, and if you were certified for sick leave, you could take months of sick leave. They also didn't do return to work meetings for sick periods of less that five days.

I only took about four days sick leave in a year in that last job.

I started a new job seven months ago and I'm in shock.

I've taken four days sick leave in the whole seven month period. Two different periods of two days. I was sick. They were uncertified (as I had moved to a new area and hadn't registered with a local doctor in time) and I didn't get paid.

After each period I was called into an office with a manager and made to do a return to work meeting.
I was told in each meeting that too much sick leave can leave to contract termination.

My colleague just took five days certified sick leave, and on her return they said the same to her, that too much sick leave can lead to contract termination.

Aibu to think that four days sick leave in a whole year is not a lot.

Like we are going to get sick . Everyone does.
In one of my sick periods I totally lost my voice with a chest infection. I couldn't speak at all and I have a customer facing role.

What is sick leave like in your organisation?

A doctor won’t sign you off for a couple of days anyway, as you are legally allowed to self certify for a week (though the week could still trigger the company sickness policy, that’s up to them) so I’m not sure how your colleague managed to get a sick note for under a week

Original poster
Abigail47 · 09/08/2024 19:01

rubyslippers · 09/08/2024 19:00

I’ve always had to do return to work meetings for any sickness - it seems standard
your previous employer sounds really slack about sick leave TBH

I dont know. Now i think of it, I've never had to do a return to work meeting for any employer I've had in the past.

My current employer is the only that does it.

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 09/08/2024 19:02

5 paid days in any rolling 12m period.

Although there is discretion, I got 6 weeks paid when I was signed off with stress when DH was dying.

WhatNoRaisins · 09/08/2024 19:02

It's incidences rather than days. It means people often tack on some extra days to each incidence as it doesn't count as more.

Original poster
Abigail47 · 09/08/2024 19:02

Chasingsquirrels · 09/08/2024 19:02

5 paid days in any rolling 12m period.

Although there is discretion, I got 6 weeks paid when I was signed off with stress when DH was dying.

Edited

That's a good employer! I'm glad they did that for you at a tough time

OP posts:
Sprogonthetyne · 09/08/2024 19:03

Two periods of sick leave in 7 month seems relatively high, but not outrageous if you had an unlucky run.

Mine tend to be more worried about the number of illness, then the length. Eg. A week off wouldn't be questioned, but 3 periods of 1-2 days would be, even it the total number of days was the fine.

GoldieFurEverywhere · 09/08/2024 19:03

"I've taken four days sick leave in the whole seven month period."

The way you write that implies you don't think it's much at all. It is. Yes people get sick, but two periods of absence in 7 months is definitely on the high end.

In my place, one more absence in a rolling year - regardless of length - would trigger a sickness conversation. The management team would be very supportive if they could see the sickness was genuine/bad luck...but there would definitely be a conversation of some sort and a closer eye kept.

BloodyAdultDC · 09/08/2024 19:04

Mandarinaduck · 09/08/2024 19:00

where I work anything over 2 days sick has to be certified but there is no restriction or limit and no return to work meeting. If you’re ill, you’re ill - what can you do?

How though?

My GP practice won't sign anyone off sick until after the 5 day self-cert period, nor do any others in my area. That's like asking a gp for a sick note for a child who's off school. You need to ask your company for a copy of their absence policy, I'm fairly sure they can't legally demand a sick note until the 6th working day?

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 09/08/2024 19:04

RTW after every absence is normal at my work place. More than 8 days in a rolling 12 month period would lead to a disciplinary meeting.

You are definitely expected to drag yourself in at my work.

Topofthemountain · 09/08/2024 19:04

3 periods of sick leave in two years would lead to a disciplinary. After the second period you would be given a whole lot of hassle.

You either take annual leave if only a short illness or you come in and spread it around. Or you go to work with a suspected fracture elbow against medical advice that now won't have healed properly.

Original poster
Abigail47 · 09/08/2024 19:06

GoldieFurEverywhere · 09/08/2024 19:03

"I've taken four days sick leave in the whole seven month period."

The way you write that implies you don't think it's much at all. It is. Yes people get sick, but two periods of absence in 7 months is definitely on the high end.

In my place, one more absence in a rolling year - regardless of length - would trigger a sickness conversation. The management team would be very supportive if they could see the sickness was genuine/bad luck...but there would definitely be a conversation of some sort and a closer eye kept.

I welcome opinions as this is what mumsnet is for, but i completely disagree that its on the high end.

It's four days! In my last job I had one colleague who took about three months of sick leave off.

I was actually talking to my colleagues on my current team and I have actually taken the least sick leave out of all of us.

Everyone gets sick for a couple of days in a year.

Its Four days, we are talking about days not weeks

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 09/08/2024 19:06

Let me guess that you moved from the public sector to private?

wippandzipp · 09/08/2024 19:07

Do you have a contract? It should be in there. One job I had about 5 years ago, it was only 1 day in the first year.

lmhj · 09/08/2024 19:10

This is fascinating. I worked for fifteen years senior level, no sick days, huge advocate of fair sick leave for staff.

Then I had kids. Wow. Turns out I do get sick. 🤢 I wouldn't want me in office with a sick bug. So all these places must be ignoring 48 hour rule?

TidalShore · 09/08/2024 19:11

We have a return to work after every sickness regardless of length or number, which mentions "could lead to blah blah..", it's not that they are bothered about genuine illness, but it just means if they get the impression someone is swinging the lead they can act on it quicker as everything is documented.

Original poster
Abigail47 · 09/08/2024 19:11

Topofthemountain · 09/08/2024 19:04

3 periods of sick leave in two years would lead to a disciplinary. After the second period you would be given a whole lot of hassle.

You either take annual leave if only a short illness or you come in and spread it around. Or you go to work with a suspected fracture elbow against medical advice that now won't have healed properly.

Yeah and of course a lot of jobs also don't let you take annual leave off whenever you want it.

I actually requested annual leave off, for one of the times that i was sick, and I wasn't allowed to take annual leave.

I actually have a hospital appointment later this month, and I tried to take an annual leave day off for the appointment. I wasn't allowed to take it as annual leave, as other colleagues have already requested the day off as annual leave.

I replied saying that I have an appointment that I have to go to, and they replied to me saying 'if it's emergency leave you want you'll have to ask your manager".

I'm sure that will be frowned on too

OP posts: