Part-timers - if you're off sick on a working day, do you go in on a non-working day?

[MrsQueen]

Hi, grateful for views on this.

I work 4 days a week - was full time but have a chronic health problem which leaves me very tired, so wanted more time to rest.

I'm now pregnant, having a difficult pregnancy and have had a lot of sick leave.

My manager has suggested that if I have one of my normal working days off sick, then I could come in on my non-working day instead to make the time up.

It wasn't phrased as an instruction - it was more that I'd said I was having difficulty finishing some of my projects (which affects my performance rating if I don't finish them), and she suggested that as a solution.

Wondering what anybody else thinks of this?

You don't have to and you can insist on working to the letter of the law and your exact contractual entitlement if you wish, but a little bit of flexibility on both sides is so much better. If you are planning on going back to work after maternity leave there will be times in the future when you will want your employer to be flexible - school nativity, INSET days etc. and if you are more flexible now I would hope that your employer is more flexible then.

As an employer I feel a lot more inclined to agree 'special' leave or flexible working for those who are flexible themselves. Maybe have a chat about it with your boss and see if you can come to an arrangement that works for you and the business which employs you.

When I worked part-time I negotiated a flexible pattern where providing I did the hours,it was kind of up to me when they were done,so long as they knew in advance.This meant I could be at school sports days/assemblies/appmts without needing annual leave etc. It also meant that if I was sick for a day,I would just work a different day. I did not mind this because they were also prepared to be flexible and I did not want a bad sick record. Ironically I now have a broken ankle and 3-4 months off work and feeling really bad about it!!

I think its down to professional credibility really, as well as your contractual terms. I have a workload, clients, deadlines that I wouldnt like to see slip. In my job and lots of professional losts, if you are off for whatever reason, you're still expected to manage that workload. So whilst I wouldnt be formally required to work a day in lieu of a sick day, I'd work late / at home in the evenings to get back on track. I'd do that whether I was FT or PT.

I think if pay is discretionary because you've already had so much sick leave, you should see it as a two way street. They are going over and above their contractual obligations in paying you, you could reciprocate by doing additional time as and when you can.

no because have set days in contract with cm. might do few extra hrs over month