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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I going to fail probation

279 replies

Greenraintoday · 21/02/2026 07:16

I'm getting worried, half way through probation, have had 3 unavoidable bouts of sickness ( all different cases and not disability related) been late in to work 4 times and have been reminded to answer emails that I forgot several times

In my defense I have had alot going.on in personal life and this has impacted me

AIBU to think I should be given another chance ?

OP posts:
Brightlittlecanary · 21/02/2026 15:49

shhblackbag · 21/02/2026 15:26

Most of us work for the money. That's why we manage to be on time and deal with our tasks. Because that's what we get paid to do.

Well yes exactly, but there is a nuance there, as I suspect we have all met that emokoyee, the one who is jist there for the pay check, can’t be arsed doing their job and makes it harder for everyone else.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 21/02/2026 15:50

Violinist64 · 21/02/2026 12:18

Sorry but childcare is your responsibility. Any employer will take a dim view of someone who is not organised enough to sort out reliable childcare. You will not be the only employee with children. As for colds - unless it is a really nasty virus, you should be able to go into work, even if you don't feel 100%. If you were worried about spreading germs, you could wear a mask as in Covid times. Was your "flu" really flu or a bad cold? I think you should start looking for somewhere else to work as you will certainly not pass your probation. If you are able to secure other employment, please take all the excellent advice from people on this thread and smarten up your attitude as it is coming across as very flaky at the moment. However, we can all learn from our mistakes and I hope you are able to.

Agreed here. You sort out childcare like other mothers and fathers do. Not hard. Otherwise don’t work.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 21/02/2026 15:52

Movingonup313 · 21/02/2026 14:12

Some really harsh views on this post. I am surprised. With a bit of flexibility this could be managed well. In the last 10 weeks ive had 2 migraines (including vomiting and nausea), the worst cold ive had in my life (the fluid was running from my nose - i could not have been in an office for any length of time) and 2 nasty bouts of tonsillitis. None of it my fault. By the comments on here I am unreliable and I ought to look elsewhere for a new job. As for childcare - no childcare is solid and sometimes the unexpected happens. I think people are really unfair on this post.

Per my previous post OP, you can remedy a lot of this, show willing and indicate happy to extend probation if it will help you to prove yourself. These 4 months dont have to unduly mark your cards.

Think about her bosses and colleagues. Also with OP being new think about how much has been spent and organised in her induction and training. Every job I’ve had for the probation period I’ve always ensured I was over 100% taking into account induction and training.

shhblackbag · 21/02/2026 16:05

Brightlittlecanary · 21/02/2026 15:49

Well yes exactly, but there is a nuance there, as I suspect we have all met that emokoyee, the one who is jist there for the pay check, can’t be arsed doing their job and makes it harder for everyone else.

Yes, absolutely. And they shouldn't have passed probation. They often do, though, and more, because life isn't fair.

sparkleghost · 21/02/2026 16:22

It doesn’t sound great.
Do you have a good relationship with your manager? Maybe it would be a good idea to ask for a 1:1. Be honest and sincere - tell them you appreciate that the lateness, absence & performance issues don’t reflect well on you, but that you’re committed to the company and you want to do better & prove yourself by the end of your probationary period. You could always discuss what has been happening in your personal life if you think that they might be sympathetic - but I’d focus on acknowledging the shortfalls and apologising. It might not make any difference, but I think it’s worth a go. A self-aware probationary employee that wants the job is better than a probationary employee that doesn’t seem bothered. Good luck and I hope things get easier in your personal life x

LilyBunch25 · 21/02/2026 16:25

Ewock · 21/02/2026 13:24

Is it just mums you have time for or do others qualify for this as well? Or do you believe that only mums can have a difficult time with things in their lives? Where does this stop or is it fine for everyone to be late, take lots of sick days and not actually do their job?

I have more difficulty now I'm caring for another adult than I did when I was raising my kids and working. I still do all I can to juggle things, am not late and haven't been off sick for 10 months. I do my job because I'm paid to, and no it isn't always easy far from it.

Movingonup313 · 21/02/2026 16:35

LilyBunch25 · 21/02/2026 14:33

Also would I be right in thinking that those conditions- the migraine, tonsillitis, were potentially documented after self cert period by a GP? If so it is absolutely different.

No. I needed a dr prescription for antibiotics for the tonsillitis but didnt attend or need to request a dr cert for the others. The winter is brutal. The lady had a new job which is stressful in itself. He childcare has failed (im sure she hasnt asked them to fail her). All of the stresses of that make you more run down and vulnerable to viruses etc and less able to manage them with OTC medication.

SarBe · 21/02/2026 16:41

I mean, I wouldn't go take you beyond probation. No excuse for lateness or failing to reply to emails.

LilyBunch25 · 21/02/2026 16:43

Movingonup313 · 21/02/2026 16:35

No. I needed a dr prescription for antibiotics for the tonsillitis but didnt attend or need to request a dr cert for the others. The winter is brutal. The lady had a new job which is stressful in itself. He childcare has failed (im sure she hasnt asked them to fail her). All of the stresses of that make you more run down and vulnerable to viruses etc and less able to manage them with OTC medication.

I'm not disagreeing with that- but I like many colleagues have also been subject to viruses in the last few months- I'm getting over one now. I have significant stress in my own life, including dealing with a very high level of care at home for someone else. I have to manage my work and timekeeping around that. I have had two familial bereavements in the last 10 months too that I had to deal with. I still maintain that the OP goes beyond unfortunate circumstances- not doing the actual work properly while there is a red flag, as is the immediate query about the workers rights bill.

Boxingshibes · 21/02/2026 16:54

I've only read about 3/4 but you must realise you will not be kept on.
In fact I'm surprised you can afford to be off ill during probation. Did you get sick pay?
My employer doesn't pay sick pay till 2 years ( not sure this is legal though)
I've taken 1 day off in almost 2 years when I was hospitalised.
Since Jan one of my children have been in and out of hospital for days at a time, luckily they're older but I've had to work with no time off. I can't afford it. I've had to work then go to the hospital , sleep there then go back to work. Luckily DH is able to be there during the day.
Do you have a partner who can help?

TicklishMintDuck · 21/02/2026 16:57

It really depends on your employer, I think. I attended a new job last year 100% even during radiotherapy, apart from quite a few hospital appointments, yet they managed to find reasons not to pass me even though I met all deadlines and had settled well into the team, etc. Could you have an informal chat about it, or is it not that type of place? Good luck x

Newbie8918 · 21/02/2026 17:03

I’m a manger and I wouldn’t be keeping you on with this level of absenteeism and lateness.

The Sickness is unavoidable but the lateness and not answering emails isn’t and constitutes a conduct issue.

As a latch ditch attempt and if you are genuine, ask your manager for a meeting. Explain your circumstances and take ownership. Ask them to extend your probation so you can show them how much you want the role. If they agree, it’s time to excel.

CassandraCan · 21/02/2026 17:09

WellErrr · 21/02/2026 07:22

To be totally honest and because you asked….

4 lates
3 absences
Poor performance (not answering emails etc)

I would not keep you on.

Same

Dogmum74 · 21/02/2026 17:12

Probation means nothing. Any business can get rid of you for no reason whatsoever within 2 years of employment (equalities act cover excluded). But yes, you sound like a nightmare. Sickness and late 4 times?

Umidontknow · 21/02/2026 17:13

Why do you think they should give you another chance? What's in it for them?

luckylavender · 21/02/2026 17:14

Such a terrible attitude to work.

ACynicalDad · 21/02/2026 17:15

Sort yourself out and I night just extend probation. Keep this trend for the second half and no chance you’re staying. It’s going to get harder to dack people so expect more people to fail probation.

OhYeahOhYeah · 21/02/2026 17:18

I am sorry to say this but if you were my employee, I would not be keeping you on.

Childcare issues and colds are part of life BUT are things most people can figure out in a pinch and get themselves in to the office on time and ready to go.

Three sickness absences, four late starts and not keeping up with the very basics of any job sadly equal an inadequate candidate.

Hhhwgroadk · 21/02/2026 17:21

I would only accept poor sickness record if the person had a physical disability. Not able to carry out work related tasks plus poor time keeping would be a scenario I would not in any circumstances tolerate. I would never chase an employee on their tasks after the training period was over, they would be put on notice of termination of contract.

BuckChuckets · 21/02/2026 17:27

Greenraintoday · 21/02/2026 10:17

I have childcare issues which is why I am late and sickness is due to colds and flu , have just not been well enough to go in

I am doing my best but don't see that these are deal breakers, don't I have more rights now under the new workers bill anyway?

Colds AND flu (as in, actually flu), or just colds/bad colds? Being off sick with a cold multiple times during probation would be enough for me to decide someone wasn't going to pass.

Hhhwgroadk · 21/02/2026 17:27

Your personal life is nothing to do with your employer and how you perform.

ALJT · 21/02/2026 17:37

If you do get another chance you’re extremely lucky. I was never late to work but caught flu in my probation that had been doing round the office and I got let go because I was off for a week. I had a 6 month probation. Don’t get me wrong, it was a blessing in disguise cold calling was awful.

Della19 · 21/02/2026 17:42

I'm a manager in a ~£100million a year turnover company. I wouldn't mind the sickness, if genuine.
I would fail your probation on the grounds of inability to be on time to work, and inability to do the job (not responding to emails, even after reminding). Had to fail someone's probation last year for similar. Your employer does not owe you total flexibility, it's something you earn by being a good and reliable employee (which, seemingly, you are not)

Moanyoldmoan · 21/02/2026 17:42

This has got to be satire - there’s no way you are getting that job, I would’ve given up on you way before now, clearly incapable and not the job for you to put it bluntly

Catsbreakfast · 21/02/2026 17:51

Staying home with a cold in probation. I’ve heard it all now. You can’t be serious.