Manager not believing me

[kelllogss]

Dd had a health crisis one day when I was WFH so I quickly notified my manager via the work system about it and said I was going to update when I could

Got to the hospital by ambulance, spent the whole pm and overnight. In the morning I texted manager to update - no reply

When finally got home in the pm I logged in and communicated with manager who requested a call. After hearing the story manager seemed unsure of my story and requested hospital paperwork

Is this normal? HR matter?
I always take time off / AL when need to deal with Dd’s health issues which all my superiors are aware of but this time it was an emergency and I did not bring work laptop to the hospital

I'd take this at face value and send all the paperwork you have. It doesn't mean that she doesn't believe you. It may be they have problems with other staff and don't want to let others take the piss.

I'd reply with paper work, car park receipts etc etc. Apologise and thank them for their understand and offer to make up the time.

Hope your DD is feeling better

If you’re DD was admitted over night there will be discharge paperwork. Send her a copy of it.

Abesence 0% - never took a sick day and request AL for any time off
Been working there 2.5 years always with excellent performance reports
And I get on with everyone and manager but I’m more in the keep to myself, private type rather than having my whole life out there like the majority in my workplace

I would guess that he has been had by some other employees and just questions everyone just in case. Just send on what you have.

I’d share redacted paperwork but I’d also have a conversation about why manager doesn’t feel she trusts me.

Send what they've asked for. They'd probably ask anyone for the same in the circumstances.

Just out of interest, is it normal to report absence by text in your workplace? I'm wondering if that's what made the manager more alert to this instance, if it's expected that you'd call to speak to them about what's happened.

because I was busy calling 999 and waiting for an ambulance on Dds bed side rather than been online on my work station going through the AL request process @RoseQuail

Well the point is that she is asking you to disclose something that relates to your daughter's medical records, which you are perfectly entitled to want to keep private.

I really don't understand why a manager would treat an employee with a perfect record this way...

I would involve HR because your manager choosing not to believe you is not acceptable.

If you are off sick, you can self-certify for up to 7 days. So I don't see why you should submit any paperwork for a day absence when you follow the procedure of contacting your manager and tell them what was happening.

Of they take it at face value from you they have to from everyone. Sadly and shockingly we once had an employee lie about having cancer, so now everyone has to provide paperwork its just company policy. Send the paperwork and move on

I first reported I was going to be absent via work laptop at the time of the emergency and then early in the morning via text wgen I realised discharge would not be early enough

It is normal in my workplace to use the work chat facility or to text if away from laptop

I would contact HR. As a line manager I would never ask for such paperwork - he has no right to medical information relating to a third party.

Hi to be honest I'd just give them what they want and be done with it.

You were in an upsetting situation and I think wondering about the manager believing you or not is detrimental to you.

Hope your DC is ok xxx

It’s not always about you, the manager may be having problems with another employee slacking off and taking the piss but needs to treat you both the same in regards to requesting proof so that the other cannot claim they are being bullied when they have evidence for their dismissal.

I wouldn't be sharing private medical info on principle .
I'd be interested to see what the manager's next step would be .

You stuck to their expectations re communication. So it's probably just a box-ticking exercise they need to do for all instances of emergency leave. You can provide what they've asked for, so don't worry about it.

As someone else mentioned, there are piss takers in every workplace. So unfortunately even the most trusted and respected employees will be asked to provide evidence to ensure they can't be accused of bias.

Also, please check if your workplace has a carers leave policy. That could be helpful if they do.

Your manager is not entitled to see your DC’s medical paperwork as it’s private and confidential. Under any circumstances.

You could obtain a letter from the GP, however, confirming that your child was in hospital overnight for reasons they will not share due to confidentiality/data protection.

I, personally, would go to HR as this is really unacceptable, unless you have a history of regular, short-notice absences for similar reasons (in which case, it should be HR reaching out anyway).