Manager

[GemmaA89]

Just curious to hear people's views. I work in a small private nursery and it can be hard at the best of times working with a group of women. I wouldn't say I have the best relationship with my manager. There have been a number of issues (I'd be here all day if I listed them all). I do find her to be quite a petty and dare I say (nasty) woman at times.

I've been ill all night with a stomach bug so I've taken a sick day off today.
The policy is that we ring the nursery at 7am (when they open) if we are not coming into work.
As I was suppose to be opening the nursery this morning at I texted my manager and deputy manager (I didn't know who was in charge as the manager has been off) to let them both know I wouldn't be in and would they be able to find cover as I was suppose to be starting at 7. I texted them both at 6am as I thought at least an hour would give them a bit of time to find cover.

My manager then replied asking me not to text the staff (I'm guessing the deputy manager complained that I texted her) and in future to just ring the nursery at 7. She's also asked me to communicate with her the night before if I think I'm going to be off work.

To be quite honest I do feel a bit miffed as I thought I was being helpful by giving them a bit of notice, also how am I suppose to ring the nursery at 7am if I am the one opening up? The mind boggles.
I did explain to her that I'd been ill in the early hours of the morning also so I didn't know I was going to be off.

What annoys me even more is that she bombarded me with texts and calls at 6am last Friday on my day off to ask if I could come into work, seems a bit hypocritical.

I feel uneasy going back into tomorrow now as a result and I can't relax today, not what I need when I'm ill. 👎🏻

Not the point of the thread but if you have a stomach bug you are supposed to wait 48 hours before going back to work. You'll still be contagious tomorrow

I think you need to ask what the policy is if you're off sick and supposed to be opening up as I don't know what else you could have done. It's fair enough to let her know the night before but as you said sometimes things come on over night.

I agree with Shutty that you shouldn't be in tomorrow if you have a stomach bug. You're meant to wait 48hours after symptoms have stopped.

I think you need to ask for the policy on calling in sick in writing if you are due to open at 7am and also ask for a clause if you wake up sick in the middle of the night (if she says to call in sick the night before).

I don't think an hour was enough notice, where I work you have to give 3 hours notice.

Ooh sounds like you couldn't have won for losing there - if I'd been in your place that reaction would have upset me when I was just trying to do my best.

I think when you get back into work you should ask for a private meeting with her (pref. before she invites you to one) and explain your thought process as you did in your OP, then ask her what she would have rather you did. I bet you'll find she doesn't really have a concrete answer for you.

Hope you feel better soon!

I sympathise with your situation as you shouldn't feel penalised for being ill. Also, agree with other posters above about confirming policy for when you're scheduled to open. However, phoning the manager at 6am doesn't leave them much time to find cover? An hour isn't long enough to arrange this (speaking from experience). Hence why clarity on this should be needed.