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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

How you can prove you are sick?

24 replies

navyeyelasH · 12/01/2009 12:09

Hi all I'm off sick (again!) with diarrhoea & temperature - suspected bug. I think MB is having a hard time believing I am genuinely ill, (although did offer to take immodium and cross fingers that no-one caught it) I can understand her point as have been off sick for 1-3 days at a time 3 times in 3 months. Tonsillitis in Nov, Noro in Dec and now this in Jan.

Is there something I can do to prove I am genuinely ill beyond sending a snap of my toilet bowl?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

fairimum · 12/01/2009 12:45

I have had 3 tummy bugs since October! and really worry they think I am taking the p! Having been a teacher I don't take time off easily but the three times I have been off I either haven't been off the loo/being sick all day or have been doubled up on the floor - I had to get OH or my mum to have DD as just couldn't do anything without having to rush to the loo - how to other Nanny's cover illness or don't they?

Original poster

navyeyelasH · 12/01/2009 14:54

fairimum - are you a nanny? I have nanny friends that could cover but my MB does not like that. I think she got a neighbour to do school run today as I only do after school.

Feeling a bit better though, so long as I don't need to stand/move it's not so bad. DP has bought me some diarolyte, and I've not eaten since Friday at about 1pm. Thank god I'm not being sick though, I think I'm getting a bit phobic about sickness!

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fairimum · 12/01/2009 15:16

Yes I am a nanny, need to make some nanny friends!! I really hope you feel better, I tried diarolyte and it made me feel worse won't make that mistake again - we had norovirus before Christmas and DH's work wouldn't let him back until 48hours after it had all finished... I was back the next day when only on the loo every 40 mins rather than every 10! I did say how worried I was about giving it to them but they didn't have any other options... tricky one!

Original poster

navyeyelasH · 12/01/2009 16:00

I would happily go in if they wanted to risk it as other than cramping tummy (no worse than period), needing the loo every 40-60 mins (was every 10 this morning!) and a temperature I feel fine. But I just think I've gotten used to feeling ill, if that makes any sense?

Where abouts are you in the country fairimum as there are loads of nannied on here you could befriend!

OP posts:

PaulaatMummyKnowsBest · 12/01/2009 18:45

get a Drs note?

nannyL · 12/01/2009 19:37

you dont need to prove you are ill

us nannies like all employees self certify for the 1st 5 (or is it 7) working days

after a car crash, when i was off, i asked my GP for a note or something and he refused as its no necessary.

MB / DB didnt mind at all.. DB is a GP so knew i wouldnt get anything official from a dr and it was uo to me ti say my head hurt and i couldnt come in

fairimum · 12/01/2009 20:04

I am near Reading in Berkshire! I know what you mean about being used to feeling awful though, just get on with it when looking after little ones! Drives me nuts when OH gets whatever I have had and claims he can't do anything and spends a week in bed!

tankie · 12/01/2009 21:22

I'm a nanny and wouldn't think about finding my own cover if I'm sick - it's the parent's responsibility.

Original poster

navyeyelasH · 12/01/2009 21:32

I asked my GP if he could write a note but he said it's not the way it works as you self cert for the first 5 working days. MB has asked for my drs address to wrote to them but I don't think they would disclose anything due to Data Protection? But I can I write to them asking them to disclose to MB. Not sure what the norm is really?

Suppose I can ask GP when I go visit on Friday!

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nannyL · 12/01/2009 21:43

as the 'law' is you self certify for 54 working days...

thats it... end of

its none of your MBs buisness to write to or speak to your Dr, if you are ill for over 5 days you Dr will write you a sick note (and probably charge you) but otehr wiose your mb has to accept she is an empoyer, your are an employee and have the same employment rights as anyone else, therefore as your boss she has NO right to speak to your Dr if you are ill for a few days!

also im sure your Dr has better things to do with his or her preciouse time than tell your MB that you are ill when its your job and responsibilty to self certify anyway!(which you are clearly doing!)

at ur mb

nannyL · 12/01/2009 21:44

that should be 5 days (not 54!)

Original poster

navyeyelasH · 12/01/2009 22:00

I think she just wants to check their are no underlying health issues, which there aren't; it's all just bad luck really. When I worked
in a big company they sent me for a sort of medical when I started would this not be the same sort of thing then?

I just thought it was something MB could reasonably do and she is bit of a worrier; but do just wish she would believe me. I get normal SSP (not full rate etc) so have nothing to gain by ringing in sick btw.

Maybe a shot of the pan will be sufficient after all

While we are on this is there anyway to prevent getting a bug I've started to take Echinaciea (spelling?) drops which hopefully will help. But I do seem to be getting bugs an awful lot lately.

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Original poster

navyeyelasH · 12/01/2009 22:01

their = there. I need to sleep really!

OP posts:

nannyL · 12/01/2009 22:04

i still think she has no good reason to speak to your doctor...

and why should the NHS fund her being nosey?

perhaps if she wants bupa to give you a full health check and she paid for it herself and you agreed to it fine.

BUT imo she is being unreasonable and she has no right to discuss your health with your Dr... its not like there is anything to discuss!

Original poster

navyeyelasH · 12/01/2009 22:25

Bugger lost my reply.

I thought it was ok for MB to do this? Is it not the same as going for a medical when you get a job? I just think she wants to check no underling health issues are causing it. But I have asked DR myself and he says no, so do wish a little bit MB would trust me but she is a worrier.

While we are on the subject of bugs does anyone have any defences form them? I seem to get everything! Started to take Echinacia (spelling?) drops so hopefully that will help. I am forever sanitising my hands and now wear gloves for nappies.

What else is a girl to do?

OP posts:

nannyL · 12/01/2009 22:45

i eat about 6 ornages / satsumas / clemintines per day and swear by it

had no coughs / colds / bugs at all in 2008!

Original poster

navyeyelasH · 12/01/2009 23:17

GAH stupid laptop ignore my 22.25 post. NannyL thanks for the great advice, I can see where you are coming form a partt of me thought this too.

Think I will call GP tomorrow and see if I can ask if it is even possible for MB to do this then take it from there!

PS> that's a hell of a lot of orange based fruit in one dab. I'd be worried about my teeth but am thinking a vit c supplement would work just as well? thanks for the tip!

OP posts:

flowerybeanbag · 13/01/2009 09:44

Is she paying you for your sick leave? Self-certifying is the deal for statutory sick pay only - to get SSP an employer can only ask for a doctor's note after a week.

But if the employer is paying you they can put more or less whatever conditions they like on doing so, including information from the doctor. Your boss could write to your GP requesting information enclosing a letter from you giving him/her permission to release medical information. You have the right to request a copy of any letter or report sent.

You can refuse, but if your boss is paying you during your sick leave you may jeopardise this if you do.

Blondeshavemorefun · 13/01/2009 11:42

sorry you are feeling so ill navyeyelash

your mb has no right to ask your doctor about your health,you will be prone to bugs, esp when working with children

i am very rarely ill, but the odd time i have needed to take time off for funeral etc.i have got a friend in to cover me - mb happy with this as obv the children know my friend and mb can still work, and mb appreicates this

ssp is crap - one wek of it, doesnt even cover one day of my wages

TheOtherMaryPoppinsDiets · 13/01/2009 11:47

Could it be that we are all over antibaccing everything ( plus gloves, aprons, gels etc) and not letting any germs get into our systems to build up immunity?

I think there's some school of thought about that, and I have to agree

GreenBlack · 13/01/2009 13:37

I think flowery's comments are most useful.

your mb has no right to ask your doctor about your health
imo she is being unreasonable and she has no right to discuss your health with your Dr... its not like there is anything to discuss!

That may be legally correct, but I think you are being a very considerate and thoughtful employee to attempt to understand the employer's concerns and try and cooperate. When you're employing a nanny, it's not all about law and entitlement and rights. Your attitude is amazing. I hope your boss appreciates that. Hope you get better.

BTW ginger & lemon tea (made with real ginger and lemon, and honey) works for me!

giraffescantdancethetango · 13/01/2009 14:37

Do you take vitamins? and whats your sleep like? I find when my sleep goes out the window then I get every bug going. Hope youre better soon

thebody · 13/01/2009 14:51

I cant believe she asked for your doctors details, who does she think she is?? he wont be able to give her ANY information and if he did so, he could be struck off!!!! nurse speaking here. bad luck on you navy and sorry your boss isnt more sympathetic.. sometimes you do get runs of illness,(NO PUN INTENDED) keep your chin up and get better soon..

Original poster

navyeyelasH · 14/01/2009 19:34

Hey everyone thanks for the lovely words of wisdom - I'm considerably better now but my tummy is still really painful and I'm exhausted!

My sleep is pretty good, I tend to get 6-8 hours normally, which I think is enough? I rarely feel tired at the start of the day. Maybe it's the hours I sleep though, I swear I read somewhere that if you go to bed at say 12am and still get 8 hours in, the sleep is not as "good quality" as other time. I normally go to bed at 11.30pm-12am; this is probably too late I'm guessing.

TOMPD I definitely think things are too clean these days, but my flat is a pig sty, so not sure if it can be that. The only vitamins I take are echinasia & goldseal. Vitamins scare me!

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