Pulling a sickie

[TwinTantrums]

Basically, I’m planning to pull a sickie from a job that won’t let me use annual leave for a day off. I’m leaving anyway. New job secured. Reassure me it’s not the totally unreasonable thing to do!

What do you mean they won’t let you use annual leave for a day off?

I’ve been told I’m not to book AL during my notice, because it would “disrupt” the office

I’m sure there will be lots of people who will come along and tell you it’s the most heinous crime against your employer, references yada yada yada.
You’re leaving, it’s a day. Do it-I would

Of course it’s unreasonable! You’re not sick!

If you've already asked for that day and they've said no, and you don't pitch up then obviously they'll know you're lying. Even if you've already handed your notice in they could dismiss you for gross misconduct. Unlikely, but still a possibility. It's your call. I always find that appealing to someone's better nature often works when you think it won't, but you not want to entertain that.

Hmm

Better get your best sick voice on, I would

caveat: assume they’re paying you for your annual leave you’ve accrued but they won’t let you take?

Yes. It makes no sense. They’d rather pay me out than have a day off! It feels like a punishment

Oh that's bollocks, they're beyond being reasonable at all aren't they? Fuck that shit. You have my full permission to skive AND to send the boss a Whatapp of you on a beach with a Cornetto!!

I’ve asked more generally, not about this particular day

Is it an important day?

The day off? I just want to relax. This job is doing my head in, and the way I’ve been treated since handing my notice in has been horrid

Take a few days. It’s more believable…

I’m not sure how many days would be believable lol

You're seemingly going to do it anyway so I'm not sure why you asked.

If you are really unhappy there and can’t bare the thought of sticking it out could you have an honest chat with them and ask to leave earlier than your notice period? I have had friends do this

Because if someone came along and said there would be huge legal repercussions of course I wouldn’t!

If your new job is in the bag, with reference given, I'd say fuck em. If they want to be awkward, tough. Enjoy your day off!

I suggested this to them and they said no. Because of a funding agreement with them they can deduct a certain % of my pay now that my notice has been handed in, so to them I’m essentially very cheap labour for the next three months!

Three months!

No, screw that. Just pull a sickie as and when.
They can always put you on Garden Leave.

Chill out 🍹

I wish they would! They’re just refusing to be reasonable about this at all

D&V....Take at least three days off....

If you've got your new job, what's the issue?

Tell them you're taking it as annual leave. They can either deduct a day from what they're paying you out or not.

Is it in your company handbook/contract that you can't take AL during your notice period? If not then they've made it up to inconvenience you. No workplace has ever been 'disrupted' (what does that even mean?) by someone taking AL during their notice - many companies mandate it!

Unless they have a good reason to deny you leave on that day (they've already admitted they don't) they shouldn't be treating you differently just because you're leaving. Send your boss an email telling him you're taking AL, copy HR in and mention that you feel bullied by their previous statement.

Be prepared that they might then ask you to take all your remaining leave though...

I’d be willing to take it all!

They’re 100% punishing me for handing my notice in. But their reasoning is business reasons, so I don’t know if I really have a leg to stand on

Is it really that controversial??