Sickness absence during probation period

[WTDress]

I have been in my new job for 5 months, and am in a 6 month probation period.
Things are going well, but I have been unwell these last few days and called in sick Monday, went in yesterday (remotely) but still unwell so ended up logging off early and have called in sick today as still not well.
it’s cold/flu and mainly it’s my head that feels foggy I was really struggling to concentrate and I’m a manager so had meetings and 1-1s and tried to power through yesterday but just couldn’t do it.

Anyway, I’m only giving this detail as I hardly ever take time off, but my new employer doesn’t know that, they may think now I’m the type who takes every cough and sniffle off, and I’m worried it’ll effect my probation? Could they get rid of me for that reason?
I have completed probation reviews for my team and the form does ask how many days sickness, I personally wouldn’t not sign someone’s probation off due to 1 period of sickness, but in my role of manager should I have just powered through? Is there more of an expectation that you don’t have time off?

Just lying here feeling sorry for myself and overthinking really, but I can’t afford to lose my job in a month.

I think you're doing the right thing staying off. You know yourself, you know when you aren't well enough to work and powering through will likely only prolong your recovery period and/or increase the liklihood you make some kind of actual serious mistake that will have much worse consequences than missing a day or two.

I can't promise they definitely won't fail your probation for one day off, a reasonable employer never would as know, but an unreasonable employer can always find some excuse to fail someone - I'm sure your employer will be absolutely fine about it but TBH if you're unlucky and have landed yourself with a bad one then taking a few days sick likely won't change anything anyway...

Thanks. My manager is great and has been really complimentary about my performance so far but I still feel like I’m walking on eggshells while in probation period.
Doesn’t help that they recently got rid of our Head Of (2 grades above me) while in probation as his face didn’t fit. Made me a bit nervous.

Try not to worry - if you’re sick, you’re sick!

The worst thing happened to me during a probationary period years ago. After just a week in a new job, I woke up barely able to move and was being sick with a bad virus. I obviously had to go sick. Then after a couple of months I got Norovirus 🤦🏻‍♀️ so had to go sick yet again. They were all nice and reassuring to my face but when it came to the end of my probation review they mentioned my sickness and extended me for a further 3 months. I was completely blindsided as they been so nice and told me not to worry. Anyway, I ended up falling down the stairs and fracturing my ankle a month into the extended probation so just decided to quit ha ha. So when you feel bad just think of my story 😂😂

Err that doesn’t really make me feel any better

I have taken sick days during probation in multiple roles and it was never an issue. In one role we were falling sick one after the other because the first carrier didn't stay home long enough so we just kept passing it around and it was horrible.

Don't worry about it too much and focus on getting better.

I would always be more worried about someone who took a sick day the day after probation ended!

If you're sick, you're sick. If you followed the process don't worry about it too much.

@WTDress Err well I was actually being nice telling you not to worry?? I was off sick twice when yours has only been one instance - that’s what I meant 🙄

I know someone who came down with norovirus on his first day at a new job, and didn’t want to call in sick. He threw up all over his desk, and in the stairwell, and everyone was really pissed off that he’d come in to spread his illness.

I know what you meant, I was joking.

We really wouldn’t bat an eyelid about an absence for a few days of an obvious illness in someone on probation, if they’re otherwise doing well.

@WTDressSorry 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’d had a really shitty afternoon. Really apologise!

You are over thinking this. My only comment which you will know is that you shouldn't go back until you are fully well, better to take 2 days back to back. I have to force myself sometimes to do that but it's better.

I've had 3 days during mine (2 instances). Unlikely to get much attention unless it was 3x.

I got flu bad horrid flooring flu day 2 of new job. Horrific but I’m still there over 3 decades later. I would be more worried about an employee who went sick the day after probation

I’ve been ill before during probation and they extended it, was a one off so then I passed after an additional 3 months.