Sick at work.

[stash]

Hi There,

 

Quick question regarding where i stand here.

 

I am the Manager of a small shop, along with myself there are two other staff who work there Part time.

 

Yesterday After several days of not feeling well I Informed my boss( UK Store Manager) that i was trying to get hold of one of the part time members of staff to see if he could come in for the rest of the afternoon as i was feeling rather unwell and needed to go home.

I couldn't get in touch with this staff member and as the other part timer who was working with me that day couldn't stay any longer than his contracted hours I deciced to inform my Manager that i was closing the shop early as i was unfit to work there for the rest of the day.

 

He never got back to me regarding this.

This Morning I am still feeling very ill and emailed him explaining that i had tried to contact the Part timers to see if they could cover my hours in the shop. Again i couldn't one of them and the other one who was not rota'd in for the day cannot work either.

 

I told my boss all this in an email. He he never replied to this either.

He did however send me a text message asking if the shop was shut.

I replied stating that i had sent him an email explaining all. still no reply.

 

As far as I can see I have done everything in my power to get the shop open but I am not fit to work there today.

 

Is there anything wrong that I may be doing here?

This has never happened before as i have never been sick before.

With so few staff this was bound to happen some time.

 

I have no written terms and conditions and am actually due to finish working for this employer in two days time.

I pressume he thinks I'm just pulling a fast one on him but i am genuinely sick.

 

Should i be worried in any way?

[stash]

Well if this helps,

I have had an email reply from my boss.

"Pls find a part timer to open the shop and run it as you are supposed to be managing them and it is not understandable that they are not "reachable". Pls fix this asap and let me know by text as I am not online most of today.

 

Could you also arrange a doctor's report as the headquarters are quite unhappy with yesterday and today's situation ? We need the documentation, thanks. "

 

I have tried ringing both of the Part timers to see if they can open the shop but one is unable to as he is busy all day as it is his day off anyway.

The other I cannot contact i have tried ringing him and texting still no reply.

 

I am actually going to the doctors today.

 

Sureley though I do not need to provide evidence from my doctor though for being unfit for work?

 

Can Anyone help me with this situation?

[rebel11]

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/e_sickness_at_work.pdf

 

I would also tell him that you want to raise a Greivance about this situation, once your well enough to do so.

Make sure it is e-mailed to him. Then go see the doctor. Then get some rest. If you can't get cover from your staff as they are part-time, then it is your bosses job to find cover for you.

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ResolvingWorkplaceDisputes/Grievanceprocedures/index.htm

 

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461

[stash]

Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

 

This may sound like a daft question. What would i be raising a grievance about?

 

Thanks again, off to the doctors now.

 

Be back later.

[rebel11]

The fact that you are going to be ill, and that your part-time employee will not always be able to cover if you fall ill. If your boss can tell you when your going to be ill,

then you can pre=plan the cover. Also it's your bosses job to get cover if you can't.

 

Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

 

This may sound like a daft question. What would i be raising a grievance about?

 

Thanks again, off to the doctors now.

 

Be back later.

[stash]

Ok been to the doctors, cant get an appointment till next week now! which time i will probably be back to normal health.

 

Just recieved a text from my boss now saying

 

"When I am sick and i cannot fix anyone else, I still go in sick.That is the only way, what else can i say?

The shop is your responsibility and you should be able to reach your part timers."

 

Am i doing anything wrong ?

 

Oh just received another text.

 

" Other than a couple of client calls to complain, we now have UPS calling us to say they have a delivery and no one here to receive it.

What would you like me to do or say?"

 

How do i handle this situation?

I may seem like im being a bit wet here, but I dont like being put in this situation.

MY last day is on saturday for this employer and im not just pretending to be sick.

[stash]

So I have said I will try to go in tomorrow to accept this delivery we are due. Even though i probably wont be fit enough to work.

 

As seen as my last day is on Saturday anyway, what is the worst that could happen if i just told him to stick his job?

This would be my last resort of course, as im not that sort of person.

[stash]

Hey all, how do i reply to this from my boss.

 

"There is no self certification form, and it is a bit meaningless that you certify yourself as sick Pls ask your GP or reception of surgery to document your appointment and the doctor's decision on your sickness. I guess he must have given you a prescription as you are so sick after your 2 days off, so pls scan this prescription. In legal terms, you have to bring in a report when you are away 3 days anyway, so their 7 day story is not compliant with uk labour law, they cannot do what they like, they have to go with this. I myself took a report for a day when I had emergency dentistry done. When you ask for it specifically and on these occasions, they have to give you. Pls be persistent and get me all documentation you can as HQ is demanding this, we have lost several hundreds of pounds yesterday and today. "

 

Surely I dont have to provide a note from my doctor. I shut the shop with 2.5 hrs left of the normal day yesterday and was off all of today.

I will be returning to work tomorrow even though i am not fit to do so pureley so i can accept a delevery that is due.

I went to the doctors but could not get an appointment until next week so there is no point then surely.

[honeybee13]

Hello there. I don't claim to be an expert, but I thought I understood that you had to self-certificate if you were off sick for a short period of time. Have you had a look at the directgov website? That should guide you through what to do. Please post again if you're stuck.

 

Btw, your manager sounds a bit of a twit.

 

My best, HB

[stash]

Thanks HB,

 

I have had a look at the directgov website and your right you can self certificate if you are off for less than seven days.

 

JUst worried that the company will try and say that i cost them money by being ill.

[Kitten1]

A self-cert will cover you for 7 days or less. IMHO, it seems to me that your boss is suspicious about your illness as you are just about to leave. But, this suspicion is unfounded if you have never been sick before. It is your bosses responsibility to cover the shop in the event of noone else being available. If he thinks that it is acceptable to only have one full timer and two part timers to cover a shop then thats his look out!! What does he have planned in terms of cover when you leave?? Could those plans not be utilised in this situation??

[stash]

Thanks for that.

 

I have emailed him with a link to the direct Gov website regarding sicknotes.

 

I am just worried that he or the company will say that i have cost them money with the shop being shut for a day and a half.

They cant claim for this loss of earnings can they?

 

As for the situation at work my boss has been interviewing for replacements at my place of work but hasn't actually said when or if someone will replace me.

 

After eventually getting through to my Part time staff. One of which is due to work in the shop on his own Sunday and Monday he was concerned what would happen if he went sick or couldn't get to work.

 

My Boss lives in London and the shop is in Manchester.

 

Still should i have any grounds to worry? I have done everything i could and have informed him with enough reasonable time.

[Kitten1]

Maybe a phone call to ACAS in the morning will help?

[stash]

Well i phoned ACAS they were quite helpfull, thanks.

 

My boss is however being a complete idiot about this though...

 

"In our company, self certification is not accepted. I know the site and the link you have sent me, but keeping shop close is very serious, so we are required to provide proper documentation. Normally, people lose their jobs for this kind of action. Pls talk to your surgery and ask for official documentation, no need for an appointment. If you like I can write them an official letter on this and you take it to them or e-mail, but get some documentation asap pls."

 

So i have given him the name of the NHS walk in centre i went to.

 

the plot thickens.

 

oh well only one day left after toady and im still feeling ill despite being back at work today.

He wont give me a self certification form.

[rebel11]

You really need to toughen up, tell him that you will take the matter to an Employment Tribunal. Employment Rights are there for all Employees, he can't opt out because he feels like it. Tell him that you will also contact DWP about this.

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

 

 

Well i phoned ACAS they were quite helpfull, thanks.

 

My boss is however being a complete idiot about this though...

 

"In our company, self certification is not accepted. I know the site and the link you have sent me, but keeping shop close is very serious, so we are required to provide proper documentation. Normally, people lose their jobs for this kind of action. Pls talk to your surgery and ask for official documentation, no need for an appointment. If you like I can write them an official letter on this and you take it to them or e-mail, but get some documentation asap pls."

 

So i have given him the name of the NHS walk in centre i went to.

 

the plot thickens.

 

oh well only one day left after toady and im still feeling ill despite being back at work today.

He wont give me a self certification form.

[Kitten1]

Why on earth would a self cert be ok for every other kind of employer but not him??

 

Somebody is peeved that youre leaving by the looks of things!!

[honeybee13]

Rebel, a tribunal is only likely to help if our OP has been there more than a year and I can't see how long s/he's been there from a quick scan of the thread.

 

HB

[rebel11]

Hi Honey

 

It's a bit like a hollow threat so the boss backs off. The boss clearly doesn't understand Employment Rights.

 

Rebel, a tribunal is only likely to help if our OP has been there more than a year and I can't see how long s/he's been there from a quick scan of the thread.

 

HB

[MrBlack]

Well i phoned ACAS they were quite helpfull, thanks.

 

My boss is however being a complete idiot about this though...

 

"In our company, self certification is not accepted. I know the site and the link you have sent me, but keeping shop close is very serious, so we are required to provide proper documentation. Normally, people lose their jobs for this kind of action. Pls talk to your surgery and ask for official documentation, no need for an appointment. If you like I can write them an official letter on this and you take it to them or e-mail, but get some documentation asap pls."

 

So i have given him the name of the NHS walk in centre i went to.

 

the plot thickens.

 

oh well only one day left after toady and im still feeling ill despite being back at work today.

He wont give me a self certification form.

 

*HE* won't give you a self certification form? Your boss?

 

Well actually, he isnt the one to give it to you. You colelct them from your local GP - and you dont have to see your GP. Just ask the receptionist at your local surgery and she will give one to you. Simple as that.

[ScarletPimpernel]

It's also worth noting that the clinical details of your sickness are confidential; you are under no obligation to disclose them to your employer.