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Original poster

I'm really sick but terrified to not go to work

36 replies

newmummie · 14/03/2023 07:48

Hi everyone, I'm sick with the stomach bug really unwell & also 20 weeks pregnant. There's no way I could go to work, I'm being sick every 20 minutes and have a temp. But I do have a warning for my attendance. Honestly it's not bad at all, but to my company policy it is. I'm terrified to ring in sick and don't know what to do. I'm scared I pass the bug onto someone else & as I work in a customer service job there's no way I can talk to customers all day without having to excuse myself to be sick, what should I do???? I don't want to lose my job!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
newmummie · 14/03/2023 07:50

I have to get up now and get ready but I'm just in tears with my head in a bucket -

OP posts:
Allthegoodusernamesareused · 14/03/2023 07:51

Clearly you have to call in sick. Clearly I don't know what the sickness policy is at your workplace, but no one can expect (or want) you to want) you to work with a sickness bug.

wingingit1987 · 14/03/2023 07:52

You can’t go to work with a sickness bug. You are unwell and it also puts everyone else at risk.

PlateBilledDuckyPerson · 14/03/2023 07:54

Sickness that is pregnancy-related shouldn't be counted for the purposes of absence management. They should still be offering you support, but they can't 'discipline' you for it - so they will be on thin ice given that you are pregnant and could argue the vomiting was pregnancy related or your symptoms exacerbated by pregnancy.

Mabelface · 14/03/2023 07:55

You phone in sick. You don't have a choice.

CatchHimDerry · 14/03/2023 07:55

Aww OP I really feel for you, this has happened to me. Triggered absence warning due to 2 sick bugs in a few weeks from DS nursery

I am now terrified of getting one again and being up shit creek if I have to phone in

But PP are right, can’t go in like that.

could you say it’s pregnancy related sickness? They can’t count those the same was as regular sickness absence, it’s protected and is treated differently xx

Original poster
newmummie · 14/03/2023 07:57

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely going to phone in sick, I'm really scared I lose my job. I was off twice due to preg sickness in the first trimester and my employer told me it's not acceptable. So I'm scared they think this is just pregnancy sickness. But defo a bug... I hope they understand :(

OP posts:
Mumof1andacat · 14/03/2023 07:57

Pregnancy related sickness should not count towards sickness episodes. Call in sick with that

Bagzzz · 14/03/2023 07:58

Call in sick. Manager thenYou could have complaints from other staff or customers if the become ill.

Is any of previous sickness pregnancy related as if you are in England should not be counted. Do you have a disability and is of the illness related to that? Are reasonable adjustments made for any disabled needs?

Yes disciplinary is scary but it may mean more support. Are you in a union, if so contact them. If needed in future some insurance policies have legal advice as part of it.

Soontobemumof2x · 14/03/2023 08:00

Sickness isn’t counted in pregnancy. Advice you’re going to self certify for 5 days and ask your doctor for a medical fit not and take a few weeks off to gather yourself!

Soontobemumof2x · 14/03/2023 08:01

Advise**

Allthegoodusernamesareused · 14/03/2023 08:05

As pp have said, if you're in the UK, they cannot hold pregnancy related sickness against you, as it's discriminatory.

Original poster
newmummie · 14/03/2023 08:08

My manager told me last time pregnancy isn't a good enough excuse as it can be managed with medication & if I need I can always take a break away from the office for 10mins or so & that in future I can't be absent for this reason. Should she not of said this?

OP posts:
Fernanfrank · 14/03/2023 08:10

Good that you're calling in sick. I notice you said I've been off sick due to pregnancy already? Your employer is on very shaky grounds if they are telling you pregnancy related illnesses are 'not acceptable'. Brush up in your rights OP. Looks like it's something you're going to need to know about.

maternityaction.org.uk/advice/pregnant-at-work/

user1471468579 · 14/03/2023 08:10

Call in sick. They cannot discipline you for pregnancy related sickness, its discrimination as above. Feel better soon!

Whatthediddlyfeck · 14/03/2023 08:12

newmummie · 14/03/2023 08:08

My manager told me last time pregnancy isn't a good enough excuse as it can be managed with medication & if I need I can always take a break away from the office for 10mins or so & that in future I can't be absent for this reason. Should she not of said this?

Your manager is an ignorant knob! Pregnancy related sickness makes you pretty much bulletproof!

Once you feel a bit better if you don’t have a Union, it might be worth your while to speak to ACAS, and get their reassurance as to your employment rights in pregnancy

Fernanfrank · 14/03/2023 08:13

newmummie · 14/03/2023 08:08

My manager told me last time pregnancy isn't a good enough excuse as it can be managed with medication & if I need I can always take a break away from the office for 10mins or so & that in future I can't be absent for this reason. Should she not of said this?

Absolutely not. It is illegal to discriminate against you for being pregnant or pregnancy related illnesses. You should remind your manager of this next time she says something.

Whatthediddlyfeck · 14/03/2023 08:15

Oh-and if she says anything else along these lines, ask her to confirm it in writing/email-you’ll have her over a barrel!

NoSquirrels · 14/03/2023 08:16

newmummie · 14/03/2023 08:08

My manager told me last time pregnancy isn't a good enough excuse as it can be managed with medication & if I need I can always take a break away from the office for 10mins or so & that in future I can't be absent for this reason. Should she not of said this?

No, your manager shouldn’t have said that. You can’t be disciplined for pregnancy-related illness.

lemons44 · 14/03/2023 08:17

OP your manager is definitely discriminating against you. You have done nothing wrong!!

smellyflowers · 14/03/2023 08:18

newmummie · 14/03/2023 07:57

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely going to phone in sick, I'm really scared I lose my job. I was off twice due to preg sickness in the first trimester and my employer told me it's not acceptable. So I'm scared they think this is just pregnancy sickness. But defo a bug... I hope they understand :(

They can't fire you for pregnancy related sickness

A normal stomach bug- yes

Mamansparkles · 14/03/2023 08:21

Your manager is acting illegally. They cannot discipline you for pregnancy sickness or count it towards any sickness trigger points.
If she complains, ask her to put this in writing. If she has any sense she won't. If she does, you can take them to employment tribunal.
Call in sick, rest, and I hope you feel better soon.

BeeDavis · 14/03/2023 08:25

Why is your attendance bad? This is why I only phone in sick if I am really really bad! Too many people phone in for the slightest thing and then when they are actually ill they have to come in and pass it to everyone else.

Original poster
newmummie · 14/03/2023 08:37

Thanks everyone so much! I didn't realise it's illegal to discriminate against pregnancy sickness in the workplace. I definitely felt really frightened after my manger had spoke to me as I was petrified I would get another day where I can't attend work due to sickness. I will ring in, my manager actually isn't in today which I feel better about because I won't have to speak to her. But I definitely will have to hear it off her tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
newmummie · 14/03/2023 08:41

BeeDavis · 14/03/2023 08:25

Why is your attendance bad? This is why I only phone in sick if I am really really bad! Too many people phone in for the slightest thing and then when they are actually ill they have to come in and pass it to everyone else.

My company policy is if you have more than 3 absences in 6 months then you have a meeting to discuss etc and if you have more than that you have disciplinaries & warnings etc etc. Today will be my 4th time off in 6 months, so I've already had a meeting & a warning. I was off firstly bc of a bug 6 months ago, & then in my first trimester twice due to horrendous sickness & then today I have a bug.

OP posts: