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Original poster

Work/sick/

110 replies

Carol52 · 17/12/2023 20:30

Hi advice please
I work Monday Tuesday Wednesday
My daughter was sick a week last Tuesday. I had 2 days off work.
My Dd went back to school on the Friday.
She was sick again on the Sunday and was really poorly again so I was not at work last week.
Now I have the bug but I just don't know what work will say I work at a school and only started there in September.
I am worried but what can I do . Any advice or should I not be worried .

OP posts:
PickledPurplePickle · 17/12/2023 20:56

Do you have a partner that can share the time
off with the children?

It doesn’t look great, this being your third week off in a row

sunshineandshowers40 · 17/12/2023 21:01

If you are sick you are sick.

Aprilx · 17/12/2023 22:45

You have only been there since September, so I would expect your employer will be starting to get concerned about your absence record.

Babyroobs · 17/12/2023 22:46

I don't see why it would matter.as presumably the time you had off with your daughter would have bene unpaid?

Whattodo112222 · 17/12/2023 23:01

In your circumstances. I'd attempt to go in and wait for them to send you home.

I'd be concerned if I was your employer though.

Kat200669 · 17/12/2023 23:08

Surely you've taken dependents leave for her being sick? Might be unpaid but I would clarify that for the time she's been unwell. Your council may have a limit of those days per year. If this is the first time YOU have been sick then that's probably okay. It's usually 3 absences in 12 months or 10 days as LA policy before they will monitor your attendance.

Original poster
Carol52 · 18/12/2023 05:56

Thanks for your replies. I don’t have a partner. But it is me that is not feeling well this time. I have got up this morning and I don’t feel any better.

OP posts:
HorMon · 18/12/2023 06:05

If you're sick you're sick and there's not much you can do about it, you'll just have to take the time off and hope for the best.
But make sure you have taken the time off when your DD was ill as carers leave (paid or unpaid, whatever the policy) as otherwise you've probably triggered sickness absence monitoring already.

But 3 lots of time off since September is a lot. Doesn't help you today when you're sick but for the future is their any family members who can help out if your DD is sick?

Original poster
Carol52 · 18/12/2023 06:15

Thank you. I as paid for my daughter as dependant days.
I guess I will see how they react when I tell them this morning.
The school policy is 48 hours after last been ill but that may be for pupils.
I am worried but

OP posts:
Original poster
Carol52 · 18/12/2023 06:16

I don't have any other family. I

OP posts:
CrackersCheeseAndWinePlease · 18/12/2023 06:19

My daughters school is closed today so I have to take the day off. I don't have a bad sickness record and I'm rarely off but I'm worried what work will say.
At the end of the day I've nobody to look after her today so need the day off, if you're genuinely ill then you can't go in. It doesn't look great but what can you do? Do you feel well enough to go in and be sent home? That might look better as they'll know it's genuine

Original poster
Carol52 · 18/12/2023 06:31

I have just emailed school now I will post their reply.

OP posts:
Original poster
Carol52 · 18/12/2023 09:50

I have has a reply from work. It just says ok thanks for letting me know

OP posts:
Aprilx · 18/12/2023 09:58

Babyroobs · 17/12/2023 22:46

I don't see why it would matter.as presumably the time you had off with your daughter would have bene unpaid?

Of course it matters! They are employing OP because presumably there is work that needs to be done. Regardless of payment, it does not change the fact that the employer is being let down and is left with operational difficulties.

Flyhigher · 18/12/2023 11:09

Schools know this happens. They have to deal with it all year. Don't add to OP's stress.

vivainsomnia · 18/12/2023 12:45

Are you sure email is appropriate? In many places, you have to call to report sickness. It is always better to call and explain the situation.

Babyroobs · 18/12/2023 15:53

Aprilx · 18/12/2023 09:58

Of course it matters! They are employing OP because presumably there is work that needs to be done. Regardless of payment, it does not change the fact that the employer is being let down and is left with operational difficulties.

Show quote history

but neither can be helped ? A sick child needs looking after and if op is sick she can't work. Work places/ employers should have plans for cover when this happens !

HomiesAlone · 18/12/2023 15:56

Bad luck OP. Feel better soon. Its so hard when the kids are small. We all go through this.

EdgarsTale · 18/12/2023 16:16

It will raise alarm bells for sure, but not really much you can do. Hopefully, you won’t need any more sick leave over the coming months.

Original poster
Carol52 · 18/12/2023 18:47

Thanks for all you messages.

OP posts:
Winter42 · 18/12/2023 19:07

I am a teacher and there have been periods when I have had to take time off with unwell kids. It has always been paid, and no one has ever been awkward about it.

What I try to do is make up for it where I can. I work part time so I have offered to work my day off doing cover to make up for it when I felt I had had a lot of time off. I also volunteer to do extra cover in school when it is needed. My employer does not expect this but I do it when I can to show that I am appreciative of their understanding when I have needed it.

Hipnotised · 18/12/2023 22:48

You've had 5 days of dependant's leave?!

We get one!

Original poster
Carol52 · 19/12/2023 06:45

Yes

OP posts:
Crazycrazylady · 21/12/2023 19:40

Honestly op. I won't lie , that's a lot of leave for a short space of time particularly since you e only been there since September .I'd be suitably apologetic and commit to trying to find some one local short term for when she is sick in the future.
I think it's better to be up front about how you know it's bad .

MsFrog · 21/12/2023 19:57

Whattodo112222 · 17/12/2023 23:01

In your circumstances. I'd attempt to go in and wait for them to send you home.

I'd be concerned if I was your employer though.

Why would you be concerned? I'm not trying to be difficult or make a point, I'm genuinely curious. You have to look after your children if they are ill. You can't come to work if you are ill. It's a very common and understandable situation. OP isn't skiving or shirking. Why would you be concerned rather than wanting to try and find a way to support her?

To the PP saying find someone reliable locally to have her when she's sick... Who is going to do that? A child minder isn't going to be available at short notice like that, are they? And if they have other kids, they won't take yours if they are sick. If you've no family (or I suppose good friends who are available at the drop of a hat), then you have to take leave.

It is awkward for all concerned but surely you can work your employer to come up with a solution around how to manage the reality for the OP. Everyone saying they'd be concerned and it looks really bad, that's the attitude that makes things so hard for working mothers.

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