Annoyed and upset and worried about time off work

[pavlovthecat]

I am off sick. I have sick since last week. But went into work, and over the weekend felt awful. The whole family are sick, so add to being sick, sleepless nights with DD.

I have had a shite sickness record, which is much much improved due to me working on my health issues - been open with work. But they are less than supportive.

My new line manager made noises about my sick record at my first and only supervision in oct. since then I had one period of sick, more noises.

I really did not want to take the day off, but phsysically, I have just not been able to go in.

I called by line manager, who was less than sympathetic, her first words were 'yes? What is the problem?' and while she said nothing to indicate she was pissed off, neither did she say anything supportive. Her manner was rude, and her tone of voice was clearly pissed off.

I am sat at home feeling too sick to work, and also worried that not being at work is going to cause negative repercussions.

I have tried hard to sort out my health issues, and it is ongoing with the gp who is finally working with me to sort it out. But its not instant is it? I pick up every bug DD gets, and often I am at work ill, but that does not get noticed, just how much time off I have had. And it does not get noticed that the gaps between my sickness absences are getting greater (as I haul myself in when I am unwell) or that I was in work while sick with (Dr diagnosed) bronchitis.

I am really fed up that I cannot just be ill and try to get better without worrying what is going to await me on my return, when I will be made to feel like a fraud for being off.

Just sounding off really. I know its my fault, should not take time off.

Is it worth joining and speaking to a union? I would get drs notes whenever possible and keep everything well documented.

Cargirl - I am a member of the union, but my rep is a bit crap to be honest. I get a Drs note when I am off for more than a week, and also, I have records with the GP for when I have been to see them about sorting out my health, even when I have not been off sick because of it. Often I get sinus problems which although are a pain and make me ill, I can still go into work, and I do. But often, they then become more serious, or I get a throat infection with it, or as in December, I had a sinus infection and bronchitis, and then I just cannot function (although I dragged myself into work when I can bronchitis as I was due to go on leave for xmas, and lots of people were off sick, did not want to look bad).

I am due to go back to the GP this week or next about the next plan of action with my sinus problems - but this will involve ENT, and that is not going to be quick. Every time I get a sniff I am on edge...is this going to be another bug? How am I going to manage this without taking time off work and risking further action?

Sorry I really don't know, can you speak to your HR person rather than line manager?

How about speaking to central union rather than rep?

Oh its all complicated really. I cannot talk to HR person (or rather, not cannot, more feel unable to) as I had a run-in with her, and my line manager (before she became my line manager), a grievance was started by me, although I did not follow it through due to being pg and then losing both my parents, so I guess this is part of the reason my line manager has lack of sympathy/is not tolerant of absences from me. Although funnily, my being rundown is all wrapped up in the history of it all.

Thanks for replying though!

Oh, and my last question...I was not expecting you to have an answer...it was more of a rhetorical question really. I do not think there is an answer

I would get it documented at the GP's that works attitude, & name names is adding to the stress. I should think this would stand you in good stead if they take it to disciplinary.

Yeah you are probably right, I am always moaning when I go to my GP!!! I guess thats what they are for, but still, I feel like such a hypocondriac sometimes, I got this wrong, that wrong, oh and work is stressing me...I would like to just have a cold, and nothing else. Just a cold. That would be nice.

No answers but I know how you feel! I have a 10 month old DD and she started nursery 4 months ago and at least every week either me or DD has been ill and I have needed time off. It makes me feel like crap and there have been occasions when I have gone in when been really unwell (passed out on tube a couple of times) and have probably rushed DD back to nursery sooner than I would like

With a new round of redundancies happening next week I work in constant fear of losing my job. It's horrible and you have all my sympathy!

Thanks lenin and Ewe - I should talk to her really, but she is a devious woman, she is all smiles to your face, but not a very good people person. She has agendas and they are her motivation for everything.

I know how you feel about redunancies - they have been mentioned at my place too, although not too majorly as yet (touch wood), like you, I want to have a better record so I am not on the 'hit list' but there is not much you can do when you are sick eh?

My previous line manager was so supportive. She gave me space and time to get myself sorted. I took a lot of time off when I first returned to work after a long maternity and sick leave period and she never acted on 'trigger' points. I initially had a long long period of sick due to firstly employment issues, then pg, then bereavement as both my parents died (I would say I was off work for around 18months apart from a couple of weeks when I attempted to return too soon). It took me a long long time to get back to full speed at work, and the sickness I keep getting just added to it all. My previous line manager understood where I was at, and with her support my sickness levels improved. She did warn me new new line manager is not a 'people person' and will be more 'straight down the line' with acting on triggers. She warned me to be on my guard. No shit!