Sickness in first few weeks of work

[ShootingStarsinthesky]

I started a job (14.5 hours) in the first week of January. All has been ok until 3 weeks ago when my GP told me to come off or cut down on a drug I take for migraine. I have followed advice as it was explained to me that there are dangers in mixing the 2 drugs that I took and I was not aware of basically a remote chance of heart block! Since cutting down I have had 2 severe migraines culminating in a total of 4 days off in 2 episodes and I am expecting more. My work are very strict on sickness absence and you have to speak with a Dr (it is a Medical Centre) and not the management when you are sick and on return (even a day) you have a return to work interview where questions are asked. Everyone in the workplace receives an email notifying of your absence and what is wrong with you! This is embarrassing as on your return everyone asks how you are and of course know what has been your problem. The Manager even came in for a little chat and asked me about my migraines and I told her the scenario of coming off of the medication which she did not really respond to. The Deputy Manager held my back to work interview and filled out appropriate forms etc (lasted 15 mins).

If you are off on 3 occasions in 6 months a meeting is held to discuss your health and sickness further. I feel this is added pressure at a time when I don't need it. Do you think they will ask me to leave or should I quit??

Don't quit just yet.

I don't see the issue with speaking with a doctor, you are having genuine health issues and a second opinion might be useful. It should also be an opportunity to discuss ways to be able to work differently with your manager. Be aware that they will always be focusing on solutions that get you back to your contracted hours and duties asap, but it should be supportive. All they want to know is how long the issue is likely to last and how they can work with you to fulfill your role and their expectations. I understand this isn't great when you're so new in a role, but people get ill and a medical centre should be aware of this (although I know clinicians can have quite a high tolerance of illness before real sympathy kicks in! Nature of the job eh?)

I do have a massive problem with them sending out personal details to everyone though, wtf That's bloody awful and I'm sure they're breeching all sorts of data protection/employment laws doing that. I work in the NHS and am not allowed to even tell someone in another team someones off sick, just that they're not there. There's no way I'd be told about the specifics of why someone was off by anyone but that person.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than myself will come along, but that's just wrong.