Sickness in new job
Discussion
dieseluser07 said:
I started a new job 4 months ago and ive rang in sick twice, both for different reasons and both genuine.
Do this look bad and is it something that the employer could use to decide to let me go? Im never sick but ive just had an unlucky 4 months its just typical its at a new job.
Yes it looks bad, yes they could use this against you.Do this look bad and is it something that the employer could use to decide to let me go? Im never sick but ive just had an unlucky 4 months its just typical its at a new job.
Were I in your place, and assuming you really want to hold this job, I would be spending the next 6 months going over and above. Do extra hours free and turn up early and willing to get stuck in.
Also, prepare for the grammar Nazis to descend, backed up by the "you posted this in the wrong place" Junta.
Liokault said:
Yes it looks bad, yes they could use this against you.
Were I in your place, and assuming you really want to hold this job, I would be spending the next 6 months going over and above. Do extra hours free and turn up early and willing to get stuck in.
I think that's a bit far IMO...Were I in your place, and assuming you really want to hold this job, I would be spending the next 6 months going over and above. Do extra hours free and turn up early and willing to get stuck in.
Yes it has probably been noticed and if they felt inclined to get rid of you then yes this would be used against you, but realistically I doubt it is going to make a difference unless you're a poor employee in other areas.
If it's just a job to get you by for now, don't worry about it, if its a career you want to be in for a long time, then put in the extra effort.
Or just stop being sick, simple!
I've been quite lucky, not had a sick day for almost 5 years now, the only time I get sick is at weekends or when I am on holiday... Hmm, maybe that makes me unlucky then lol
TREMAiNE said:
I think that's a bit far IMO...
Yes it has probably been noticed and if they felt inclined to get rid of you then yes this would be used against you, but realistically I doubt it is going to make a difference unless you're a poor employee in other areas.
If it's just a job to get you by for now, don't worry about it, if its a career you want to be in for a long time, then put in the extra effort.
Or just stop being sick, simple!
I've been quite lucky, not had a sick day for almost 5 years now, the only time I get sick is at weekends or when I am on holiday... Hmm, maybe that makes me unlucky then lol
Like i say im never usually sick ive just struck unlucky.Yes it has probably been noticed and if they felt inclined to get rid of you then yes this would be used against you, but realistically I doubt it is going to make a difference unless you're a poor employee in other areas.
If it's just a job to get you by for now, don't worry about it, if its a career you want to be in for a long time, then put in the extra effort.
Or just stop being sick, simple!
I've been quite lucky, not had a sick day for almost 5 years now, the only time I get sick is at weekends or when I am on holiday... Hmm, maybe that makes me unlucky then lol
It shouldn't be used against you but in reality may be.
In your shoes I'd be making sure that I put in a few extra hours, plus think up some constructive ideas for the business and sit down with your boss/manager. Explain your concern. Most places worth working at would think - "ok, he isn't taking the piddle".
In your shoes I'd be making sure that I put in a few extra hours, plus think up some constructive ideas for the business and sit down with your boss/manager. Explain your concern. Most places worth working at would think - "ok, he isn't taking the piddle".
Have a 'quick word' with either your line manager (preferably) or their manager, if you report to a supervisor.
Just say that you want to apologise for having had two days off so soon into your new job; that it's most unlike you ming it is!) and that you're really enjoying the job, are very committed to it and would hate to think you're creating a bad impression.
It'd take one heartless boss to dismiss that kind of self-acknowledging response.
Just say that you want to apologise for having had two days off so soon into your new job; that it's most unlike you ming it is!) and that you're really enjoying the job, are very committed to it and would hate to think you're creating a bad impression.
It'd take one heartless boss to dismiss that kind of self-acknowledging response.
There's this weird expectation, I think it comes down from the top in certain companies that you must never be ill, you must at all times be in the office available for mission critical desk flying. 'Leg fell off? You've got another one, what you worrying about'
It comes from over micro-managing, too busy with the wrong things bosses.
Quite often it exposes something that they cant handle. The world still kept turning while that person wasnt there.
OP - if you worked at my place, the only s
t people would give would be that you're coming back feeling better. There's no points for bravado and everyone gets ill at some point.
It comes from over micro-managing, too busy with the wrong things bosses.
Quite often it exposes something that they cant handle. The world still kept turning while that person wasnt there.
OP - if you worked at my place, the only s
t people would give would be that you're coming back feeling better. There's no points for bravado and everyone gets ill at some point. I suppose a quiet word in your managers ear about how its unusual and you do feel a bit rotten about it wouldn't harm.
I would suggest if it was a regular thing it may be a problem - but unless you are seriously lacking in other areas its not worth worrying yourself too much about at the moment
Andy - I don't think anyone would question you there. I just think OP is worried he will get a reputation for being a shirker (skiving basically) rather than coming under pressure for being genuinely ill.
I would suggest if it was a regular thing it may be a problem - but unless you are seriously lacking in other areas its not worth worrying yourself too much about at the moment
Andy - I don't think anyone would question you there. I just think OP is worried he will get a reputation for being a shirker (skiving basically) rather than coming under pressure for being genuinely ill.
Johnnytheboy said:
Twice? No. More than twice my ears would be pricking.
I'd also start to sense if there was a pattern (the old favourites are Mondays/Fridays).
The first time i went to work and rang in halfway through the shift as my back had gone into a complete spasm and i was in agony. That was mid week.I'd also start to sense if there was a pattern (the old favourites are Mondays/Fridays).
The last time was on tuesday with a stomach bug
Funny how a topic has started on this
My OH has just started a new on the 9th. She has a chest infection the last few days and continued to go in. Today her boss has sent her home with a thanks for making the effort but next time not to be stubborn and take the time off.
Followed up with a email asking she got home ok so some people will ok if the effort has been made.
My OH has just started a new on the 9th. She has a chest infection the last few days and continued to go in. Today her boss has sent her home with a thanks for making the effort but next time not to be stubborn and take the time off.
Followed up with a email asking she got home ok so some people will ok if the effort has been made.
People get ill so twice in 4 months isn't disastrous. Make sure this is a one off. Keep your head down and get on with your job, you should be OK. However, your card has likely been marked. I know of someone who has been in a job for 9 months and has now had 4 occasions off totalling 18 days. He's about to get a disciplinary and questions are being asked if he is right for the business.
I wouldn't think much of two days off in 4 months if you're committed and motivated when at work.
If there was a 3rd/4th fairly soon after i't would raise and eyebrow and as someone else has said it would be a lot more coincidental if it was Fri/Mon!
One thing I would say, is always call in sick. Don't text.
If there was a 3rd/4th fairly soon after i't would raise and eyebrow and as someone else has said it would be a lot more coincidental if it was Fri/Mon!
One thing I would say, is always call in sick. Don't text.
How do you not get sick though? When someone says don't get sick, and this is assuming the sickness is genuine, how do you do this ?
No one gets sick on purpose and some people are more susceptible than others.
One thing that has happened more than once at my workplace is people coming in sick and spreading to others, with the type of disciplinary we have at work that person, who through no fault of their own, catches whatever off the original sick employee and can possible end up being hauled in the office.
No one gets sick on purpose and some people are more susceptible than others.
One thing that has happened more than once at my workplace is people coming in sick and spreading to others, with the type of disciplinary we have at work that person, who through no fault of their own, catches whatever off the original sick employee and can possible end up being hauled in the office.
Vocal Minority said:
. I just think OP is worried he will get a reputation for being a shirker (skiving basically) rather than coming under pressure for being genuinely ill.
That's actually pretty easy to spot if people are interested enough to bother looking. The sort of person who'll pull regular sickies is also the sort of person who's never that happy with their job, they'll moan to everyone else about how this is wrong, that's st, these people are nobs and they cant wait to get another job, sometimes they're looking but no-one's snapping them up so they get stuck moaning. Often you can see it on their faces even if you cant hear what they're saying. That, together with how much work they actually do with the amount of days they're there is a decent indicator.
It's all about attitude. I dont think it's reasonable to feel you have to be apologetic for being ill. It's one of those things that happens to everyone
andy-xr said:
That's actually pretty easy to spot if people are interested enough to bother looking. The sort of person who'll pull regular sickies is also the sort of person who's never that happy with their job, they'll moan to everyone else about how this is wrong, that's st, these people are nobs and they cant wait to get another job, sometimes they're looking but no-one's snapping them up so they get stuck moaning.
They are the ones that never leave. t, these people are nobs and they cant wait to get another job, sometimes they're looking but no-one's snapping them up so they get stuck moaning. Also, when they don't get promoted, they'll say "If your face doesn't fit at this place, you don't get anywhere", rather than "I'm f
king useless".I changed jobs about a year ago, after spending ~16 years at the same company. In my previous company, I would say people were very very rarely off sick - if you could make it to work then you did. That's not any indication of the company, it just seemed to be a culture thing - and for those of us who had laptops, if you really were on deaths door you still tended to work - just from home.
At my new company, people seem to be off sick a lot more. I have no reason to believe they are not genuine sick days but it does seem to be a culture of : If you're sick, you stay at home sick. As a result, when I was unwell earlier in the year I did take a day or two off whereas in my previous company I would have gone to work.
Ironically, the probation period at my new company is 3 months - during which you are not eligible for sick pay, which seems quite strict.
At my new company, people seem to be off sick a lot more. I have no reason to believe they are not genuine sick days but it does seem to be a culture of : If you're sick, you stay at home sick. As a result, when I was unwell earlier in the year I did take a day or two off whereas in my previous company I would have gone to work.
Ironically, the probation period at my new company is 3 months - during which you are not eligible for sick pay, which seems quite strict.
davek_964 said:
I changed jobs about a year ago, after spending ~16 years at the same company. In my previous company, I would say people were very very rarely off sick - if you could make it to work then you did. That's not any indication of the company, it just seemed to be a culture thing - and for those of us who had laptops, if you really were on deaths door you still tended to work - just from home.
At my new company, people seem to be off sick a lot more. I have no reason to believe they are not genuine sick days but it does seem to be a culture of : If you're sick, you stay at home sick. As a result, when I was unwell earlier in the year I did take a day or two off whereas in my previous company I would have gone to work.
Ironically, the probation period at my new company is 3 months - during which you are not eligible for sick pay, which seems quite strict.
My place is pretty fair, but they dont like folk taking the piss, and absences are noticed.At my new company, people seem to be off sick a lot more. I have no reason to believe they are not genuine sick days but it does seem to be a culture of : If you're sick, you stay at home sick. As a result, when I was unwell earlier in the year I did take a day or two off whereas in my previous company I would have gone to work.
Ironically, the probation period at my new company is 3 months - during which you are not eligible for sick pay, which seems quite strict.
Having cronhs disease, i am constantly aware of being off ill,, but it was actually being off with a random illness that got me up infront of the boss. I was in my 3 month probation period, about 2 weeks to go and i got gastroenteritis, and was floored with that along with cronhs i could barely leave the bathroom for 2 days, i felt better but spoke to docs and they said i cant go back to work until 48 hours had passed as its contagious\a risk to infect others?? So i called work told them i would be back in the office Monday, this was friday morning. I got called by finance controller asking me if i would go to see a works doctor, i said no problem...she meant now! i was still twitchy about having to dash to loo, but i went, the doc said same thing my doc did.
I go to work on the monday, get called into MD office, and basically get a polite but firm b
king, and almost threateded with dismissal\asked if i was seriuous about the job. I was terrified, i was about to lose my job for getting food poisoning. It turns out though they thought i wasnt doing much work, but i wrote up a report of all the projects i was working on and where i was with them, which they were much happier with (as QHSE Coordinator (now manager) i was quite autonomous so they didnt have a handle on what i was doing day to day yet.However they are good about stuff like i need monthly blood tests and 3 monthly vitamin b12 injection, and its early morning appointments but am in an hour or so late, but i had major surgery last year and was back at work 5 weeks afterwards, even the MD said i shouldnt return until i am properly well. A mates fiancee works for an oil company and she had a guy off for 100 days, 80 days were appointed but 20 they couldnt account, he explained he had a sore thumb, the question was asked if it was placed within his anus!
Now if i am off with stommach (which is rare now with surgery and tablets, as long as i e-mail or call before 8am its okay, but its rare if i am off, though even when i was at my worst i was only off about 12 days in the year, but i was always worried id get disciplined, but they know i dont take the piss and will work weekends or stuff if needs be.
However i really dont like the attitude of some places, such as my last work, if you are off sick, you were skiving, plain and simple. i hate that attitude as it makes folk worse if they are genuinly ill, as they stress out and come in and spread their germs.
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