Page 5 | Phoning in sick on Christmas Day?

Clarice99 · 15/08/2024 13:31

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 ?

If you were genuinely sick, you'd be off sick from work and you would not be celebrating Christmas, so your question is pretty ridiculous.

It would be very unreasonable to call in sick just so you can spend time with a family member. You can do Christmas on another day. Loads of people have to do this ones who are committed to their job/career and not taking the piss by pulling a sickie. Alternatively, you have ample time to look for another job.

poppymango · 15/08/2024 13:31

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

It’s far enough away that you can get yourself another job by then, and you should. Some things are more important. At your next job, make absolutely clear when you join that there are some days, such as Christmas Day, on which you cannot work.

Sinderalla · 15/08/2024 13:32

Laffydaffy · 15/08/2024 13:29

When I was a young nurse, the nurse who was to be in charge of the Christmas shift phoned in sick. This was on a children's oncology ward, and they hospital was unable to replace the charge nurse. Instead, we were understaffed for some very sick kids, one of whom was having a blood transfusion under my care. I mention this because the nurse before me noticed the blood running slowly, clamped the burette and pierced an air-hole somewhere else. Not a sanctioned nursing action and not noticed by me or communicated to me. Off she went for christmas, and by the time I, overworked and young, found out what she had done, the pressure had increased to the point where blood just sprayed out. So when I came through to check on my sick kid and their parents, there was blood everywhere. Up the wall, over the floor, on the bed, over the machines. The kid had had chemo, too, and this little biohazard was cleaned up by me over hours and hours. I also had to address this with the kid and their parents, who were rightfully concerned and angry about contamination and so on.

This would not have happened if the nurse in charge, who had talked about canceling their previous shift, had come in. My lesson - don't take Christmas off unless rostered.

Don't do it. Christmas day is just another day. Make memories on the day before or after.

It's not a ward for sick children she works in. It's a hotel reception with a very low wage, no enhancements 🤔

Original poster

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:32

@Clarice99 it's not just a family member
It's my dad
We have nobody else but each other
So no to be I don't feel guilty tbh

OP posts:

iwfja · 15/08/2024 13:32

YABU.
Someone has to work that shift. They've given you months of notice so that means you can arrange a different day to celebrate with your Dad.
Or you could find another job where you don't have to work on Christmas Day.
Do not phone in sick. Someone else will have to cover for you and it would be incredibly selfish of you to do that when you weren't sick.

Michelle987 · 15/08/2024 13:32

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:15

@ByCupidStunt if I worked for the nhs that is different ,this is hotel reception
Who choose to open Christmas Day out of sheer greed

Lol the hotel is a business that operates 24/7 365!

PinkCast · 15/08/2024 13:32

All of your comments.... but my dad is old, but it's a long shift, but... but... but.... can equally apply to other staff members. I agree giving you Christmas Eve and Christmas Day shifts is mean - so I would challenge that. But if you call in sick literally NO-ONE will believe you, and I imagine you will lose your job. So if you're determined not to do the Christmas Day shift then leave before then.

Original poster

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:32

The thing is there is no need for reception really to be even working that shift length
Nobody is checking in Christmas Day
Anyone who checked in Christmas Eve will already be checked in

OP posts:

Hobnobswantshernameback · 15/08/2024 13:32

Another poster who could have saved themselves the bother of posting unless their aim was to cause plenty of froth

littleoldme3 · 15/08/2024 13:33

@themanors What is your actual contract? How many hours? Are you contracted for specific days etc?

seagullstolemypie · 15/08/2024 13:33

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

You are using emotional blackmail - for every single person on the planet, 'today' may be the last day they have with a loved one. Is he 'upset alone' on any other day you work?

Christmas Day is ONE day and why are you so fixated on it? You can have a 'special day' with your dad on ANY day - have your own celebration with him on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday of that week, or, if you think he may die sooner, have your one celebratory day sooner - pull a cracker, stick on a stupid paper hat and do whatever else you like to do on that one day of the year. Re your OP, yes, I think you are being very unreasonable to both your employer and to your colleagues. You have had fair warning and have time to make any arrangements you need to make.

Original poster

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:33

@Michelle987 does the hotel save lives or need to be open ?
No it's a choice

OP posts:

Motnight · 15/08/2024 13:33

Laffydaffy · 15/08/2024 13:29

When I was a young nurse, the nurse who was to be in charge of the Christmas shift phoned in sick. This was on a children's oncology ward, and they hospital was unable to replace the charge nurse. Instead, we were understaffed for some very sick kids, one of whom was having a blood transfusion under my care. I mention this because the nurse before me noticed the blood running slowly, clamped the burette and pierced an air-hole somewhere else. Not a sanctioned nursing action and not noticed by me or communicated to me. Off she went for christmas, and by the time I, overworked and young, found out what she had done, the pressure had increased to the point where blood just sprayed out. So when I came through to check on my sick kid and their parents, there was blood everywhere. Up the wall, over the floor, on the bed, over the machines. The kid had had chemo, too, and this little biohazard was cleaned up by me over hours and hours. I also had to address this with the kid and their parents, who were rightfully concerned and angry about contamination and so on.

This would not have happened if the nurse in charge, who had talked about canceling their previous shift, had come in. My lesson - don't take Christmas off unless rostered.

Don't do it. Christmas day is just another day. Make memories on the day before or after.

I don't understand what this has to do with Op's situation.

longdistanceclaraclara · 15/08/2024 13:33

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:15

@ByCupidStunt if I worked for the nhs that is different ,this is hotel reception
Who choose to open Christmas Day out of sheer greed

You work in hospitality. Why would they close for Christmas, presumably they have Christmas packages / events etc.

Find another job. Don't shaft a colleague who thinks they have it off to ruin their plans and get dragged in.

HappyLittleNarwhal · 15/08/2024 13:33

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:32

The thing is there is no need for reception really to be even working that shift length
Nobody is checking in Christmas Day
Anyone who checked in Christmas Eve will already be checked in

Easiest shift ever then...

LIZS · 15/08/2024 13:33

You may as well look elsewhere now, phoning in sick last minute will probably mean no job in the New Year.

IsEveryUserNameBloodyTaken · 15/08/2024 13:33

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

Its a minimum wage job, start looking for another job now.

nooschmoo · 15/08/2024 13:33

I regularly have to work Xmas day. Just push celebrations back to Boxing Day. It’s only a day with a label. If your dad is happy to do this-celebrate the birthday 23rd Dec, and Xmas day 26th Dec.

Original poster

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:34

@littleoldme3 it's 30-40 hours contract
No set days
Sometimes it can be 4 days
Some days it can be 5

OP posts:

UpTheMagicFarawayTree · 15/08/2024 13:34

Just do Christmas Day on boxing day, your dad won't mind at all he will just be glad to spend the time with you. You can do him a fabulous Christmas Dinner and have a lovely celebration together.

Hillarious · 15/08/2024 13:34

Sounreasonable · 15/08/2024 13:30

Nope.

I have 3 siblings. My parents have 6 siblings between them, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren… yet if I don’t spend Christmas with them then they spend it alone.

Show quote history

"They" - does that mean they have each other for company and can cook a meal together, rather than being totally on their own?

Original poster

themanors · 15/08/2024 13:34

@HappyLittleNarwhal why don't you apply ?
See how you feel then

OP posts:

VisitationRights · 15/08/2024 13:34

I would be inclined to give them the very least amount of notice and quit so that your last day is a week before Christmas and have a job lined up for the new year.

midgetastic · 15/08/2024 13:35

You are sad and upset but unreasonable

"Do" Christmas on another day

You take a job in hospitality and it's what you should have expected

MumblesParty · 15/08/2024 13:35

I would suggest you speak to the other 2 new receptionists who have never worked Christmas. Tell them that you are planning to quit unless the 3 of you share the day between you. Point out that if you quit, they’ll be the newest and they’ll end up having to work anyway, so they might as well agree to it now.

Don’t call in sick though. That’s just mean.