Trust or Not to Trust...

[gee4]

I have just returned to work yesterday after being off since last Tue with a really bad flu.  I ached all over was unable to drive and had trouble physically getting out of bed.  I had a temperature, sore throat, swollen glands, lightheadedness and was very ill.

I have heard through my colleagues today that another colleague asked if I needed to be replaced on a pub quiz last Thur night since I wasn't in.  Get this - apparently one of my directors said, oh she might, she has a day's leave booked tomorrow.  

Firstly, I was appalled that anyone would doubt I was too ill to come to work and secondly that it would be assumed that I would head out given I had leave booked.  I am not sure whether I am shocked at my colleagues for telling me or shocked at the idea that anyone could think I was bluffing.

Incidentally I have taken 2 days sick and 2 as leave as you are not allowed to have sick days in your first year of employment here since they have had a poor sick record over the years and hence the likes of me are now penalised for being genuinely sick.

[ozbound]

I sympathize with your frustration - we're not allowed sick days here, either, and you get "points" for calling in sick. I have a workmate who had to take a couple days sick and left early a couple times and now she's "on notice"! (You might be able to take a sick day if you have vacation time, but it's up to your supervisor's discretion.)
It seems that many companies have implemented these kinds of policies due to the number of people abusing their sick leave.  Unfortunately, it makes it difficult for people who have to choose to come in sick (and muddle through their day poorly, risk driving, and pass it around the office) or take a penalty.
Perhaps you could discuss this issue with your supervisor or HR department? I mean, it's bad enough being that sick, without having to worry about your job while you're trying to rest and recover!

[diotima]

You're not allowed sick days? What kind of firms do you two work for? Are you in UK or USA? What are you supposed to do if you get smashed up in a car accident, for example, say you're lying in bed with both legs in plaster and can't move. What do they expect you to do? How would they answer that question? Firms like this don't deserve good staff, it's not unreasonable, it's barbaric and it's just plain stupid. People get sick, it's a fact of life, and when they're bullied, harassed, worried, and have to work in artificial environments, they get sicker, oftener. If people are treated as being trustworthy, most often they will be trustworthy. Employers that don't allow sick days aren't trustworthy.

I'm disgusted that firms treat people in that way. It's bullying, nothing more or less.

[gee4]

I knew about the non-payment of sick days in my first year, it's the boss not trusting me that I don't like.

They brought in the policy as the company had a very high sickness record and they obv needed to reduce it somehow.  Of course the innocent are punished but that's life.  If it had been my 2nd year of employment I would have been safe.  Personally I think every individual case should be reviewed and dealt with accordingly.  I am never usually off sick and haven't been for quite a few years.

[diotima]

My mistake! I thought you meant that you weren't allowed to be sick, not that you didn't get paid sick leave at all - sorry. I share your views on your employer not trusting you; from experience (Railtrack again), an employer that has a high level of staff sickness is doing something badly wrong. Both ACAS and, I think, the human resources professional body in UK, have stuff on this on their websites.

[gee4]

I don't get paid sick leave at all - that is the issue - sorry if I wasn't clear.

The fact that one of my directors was asked if he thought I could attend a pub quiz last Thur night even though I was off ill, makes me think he doubts that I was genuinely unable to come to work.

I was physically unable to drive, let alone dress myself and get out of bed.

[raindance]

You don't have to explain to us, Gee!  I had a boss like that in my last job, who suspected that EVERYone was telling lies about all sorts of things.  She herself was either someone who lied (and therefore it was natural that she would suspect everyone else) or she was paranoid.  Either way, it is no way to live!  

I'm sorry you weren't well - there are so many bugs going around right now - and I hope you are better.

Best wishes,

Raindance

[diamondlady]

You know after reading all of this, makes me concerned because they are generally not concerned that you were sick.  I do hope that you are feeling better Gee.  It's terrible that companies are that way.  There are so many things running around this time of year it's hard to stay healty, especially being closed in for the Winter months.  

Hope you are feeling better.

Diamondlady
Peer Moderator

[ozbound]

At our company  (US) if you are really sick you can call in and request a vacation day but there are no paid sick days and you still get "points". If you're off two or more days sick they ask for a doctor's note and you only get 1 point. For something serious (like being in an accident) you can request a Leave of Absence - no points. At least that's how I understand it to work. But so far, no harrassment like what poor gee encountered!

[gee4]

Thanks Oz et al.

What gets my goat is that they were more than sympathetic when I had a death in the family, but when it comes to my health, all they are concerned about is the fact that I'm not there to hold their hands.

[dettu]

OMG oz, you're kidding. I want to know where this is so I never apply for a job there! AIEEEEE!

My current company has a very generous paid sick time policy and I'll probably miss it when I'm gone. But I take very little sick leave. I know others here who are much more liberal with their use of the sick pay but to me it's bad karma to take off "sick" if you're not sick.

I interviewed at a place a couple of years ago that had 10 days' paid leave for the year - that included holidays, sick and vacation.

[gee4]

I love my job and it IS a great place to work but staff in other departments have obv had such a bad sick record that HR brought in this policy.

I am not so worried with that aspect it was the other fact that a boss would doubt I was off sick just because someone asked him if I was well enough to attend a pub quiz.  I had a day's leave booked the following day (eg Fri week ago) so he may have thought I would be well enough to go given I had a day's leave the next day.  It just made me feel uncomfortable that anyone would doubt I was sick and couldn't come to work.