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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Phoning in sick on Christmas Day?

343 replies

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:06

I work as a receptionist in a hotel
I have been told as the newest member of the team I will be working Christmas Day months in advance.
It's 11am -11 pm shift and the same Christmas Eve (my birthday)
It's minimum wage and we won't get paid extra.
My dad is 87 and isn't in the best health and I'm his only family
I'm really scared that this might be his last Christmas and I'm wasting it at work for a company who doesn't care
I asked to swap and was told no
I asked if anyone else wanted to work was told no

Aibu to phone in sick?
Il just add I'm not workshy
I never ring in sick

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 15/08/2024 13:07

I'm sorry you're in that situation but I think ringing in sick if you aren't sick would be unreasonable.

Sanch1 · 15/08/2024 13:08

Or look for another job?

Sirzy · 15/08/2024 13:08

Yabu. If you call in sick that means someone else has to cover for you.

my Dad had to work Christmas Day as I was growing up, he often ended up having to do a double shift because someone selfishly called in sick.

Original poster
themanors · 15/08/2024 13:08

Well it's either disappointing a company or my dad.
I suggested shorter shifts over more members of staff and was refused

OP posts:
thebigchorus · 15/08/2024 13:08

Yes sorry yabu,

It's rubbish but it's part of the job and someone's got to do it!

I think you shouldn't have to do both days though.

Could you find another job sounds like you haven't been there long?

bananaboats · 15/08/2024 13:09

Phoning in sick would be be unreasonable yes. Very unfair to your work and colleagues especially when they have told you so far in advance.

araiwa · 15/08/2024 13:09

Nobody will believe (and rightly so as you've admitted) and you would put your job at risk and of course fuck your colleagues who might be dragged in to cover you're lying ass

Don't work in a hotel if you want Christmas off

Original poster
themanors · 15/08/2024 13:09

So I leave my dad alone all day ?
To go and earn about £130
It just doesn't sit right and I'm worried he's going to be upset alone.
If this is the last Christmas he has and I would rather go to work

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 15/08/2024 13:10

Just look for another job, it's only August.

Singleandproud · 15/08/2024 13:10

Book your dad into the hotel, and book your self a room to minimise travel and you'll be able to see each other there.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 15/08/2024 13:10

You need to find another job that doesn't require you to work over Christmas. It's only August, you have plenty of time to do this.

Original poster
themanors · 15/08/2024 13:10

Also I took the hotel job because I needed a job and money
It wasn't my first choice
What about if I was sick ?

OP posts:
ByCupidStunt · 15/08/2024 13:10

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:08

Well it's either disappointing a company or my dad.
I suggested shorter shifts over more members of staff and was refused

It's not just disappointing the company or your dad - it's about disappointing the person who has to cover you and their family.

Another one here who'se been called in to cover on xmas day more than once.

Sirzy · 15/08/2024 13:10

Don’t take a job in hospitality if you’re not willing to pull your weight covering the less desirable shifts.

AtleastitsnotMonday · 15/08/2024 13:10

Phoning in sick is not he answer. I would talk to your family and see if they would be happy to just push back the usual Christmas Day celebrations to Boxing Day.

CuteCillian · 15/08/2024 13:10

I would be clear that you will not be doing a 12 hour shift on Christmas Day, and say that now.
As it is not a highly paid/sort after role, you have time to find another job or they can sort an alternate shift for you.

Dozycuntlaters · 15/08/2024 13:11

Are you able to get another job? I honestly would not have my ailing 87 year old parent on their own christmas day. I would start the new job and just keep looking and then if you're still there christmas then ring in sick. I never take time off sick but somethings there are more important things than a company who dont give a shit about you.

Tdcp · 15/08/2024 13:11

Honestly, if you're not planning on working it I would tell them straight up that you won't be turning up and tell them why, you will probably have some consequences to face but if you call in sick you will do anyway. Either way your colleagues will be miffed but it's better that they also know months in advance then them making plans and having to work a double or come in when they're not expected to at last second. If you're going to do it you need to own it early.

Original poster
themanors · 15/08/2024 13:12

If I'm pulling my weight
Why is nobody else?
Why are Christmas Eve and day on the same person ?
To me that's not fair
I wouldn't mind doing Christmas Eve
New Year's Eve and day just not Christmas Day

OP posts:
Barleysugar86 · 15/08/2024 13:12

My family has lots who work in jobs that can't get Christmas off. We use to pick our own Christmas day a couple of days later. It's really just a day. Unless you have kids who are waiting for Santa it's not a big deal... plan a lovely boxing day. Drop a gift round to your dad or ring him in the morning, tell him how much you are looking forward to seeing him tomorrow. He won't feel forgotten.

Sounreasonable · 15/08/2024 13:12

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:09

So I leave my dad alone all day ?
To go and earn about £130
It just doesn't sit right and I'm worried he's going to be upset alone.
If this is the last Christmas he has and I would rather go to work

wou someone else be dragged in to cover? That wouldn’t make you very popular with your colleagues.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 15/08/2024 13:13

Well, it's up to you, but you'll be risking your job.

ByCupidStunt · 15/08/2024 13:13

How would you feel if your dad DID die on Christmas Day and all those people who work for the NHS and emergency services rang in sick too?

ilovesooty · 15/08/2024 13:13

You don't seem very concerned about the family of someone who'll get dragged in at the last minute to cover you.

ShelfService · 15/08/2024 13:14

Find another job. Nobody will believe you are sick. And you would not be shafting the ‘company’. You would be ruining the Christmas day of another poorly paid colleague. I work in the NHS and I’ve had to work plenty of Christmases. I’m guessing somebody else is doing boxing day.
Leave your job. This is not for you.