Faking ill health to employer?

[The Gauge]

Are there actually people out there that fake illness to their employer to have an easier life at work?

Someone I know who works full time has ME, claims PIP, has a mobility car and a disabled parking badge. At work they take regular rest breaks where they go off for a sleep. Clearly not a nice condition to suffer from. However...

I have no real evidence of this next bit other than hearsay, but one of their work colleagues mentioned that this same person had disclosed to them a few years ago that they would love to be able to claim to their employer that they had such an illness, to get out of working hard etc. Then, abracadabra, they have ME which I'm lead to believe can't be disproved and who's diagnosis is based on the symptoms that person declares to their doctor, much like back pain, or stress etc I suppose.

If it wasn't for that disclosure then that person would have my full sympathy. But it niggles with me a bit. It shouldn't do though as it doesn't affect my life. But it got me thinking, is this common place? Do folk really do this?

[Purosangue]

of Course one look at the Government should tell you all you need to know

[Downward]

At least they are working full time though.

[Doofus]

The Gauge said:

Are there actually people out there that fake illness to their employer to have an easier life at work?

Someone I know who works full time has ME, claims PIP, has a mobility car and a disabled parking badge. At work they take regular rest breaks where they go off for a sleep. Clearly not a nice condition to suffer from. However...

I have no real evidence of this next bit other than hearsay, but one of their work colleagues mentioned that this same person had disclosed to them a few years ago that they would love to be able to claim to their employer that they had such an illness, to get out of working hard etc. Then, abracadabra, they have ME which I'm lead to believe can't be disproved and who's diagnosis is based on the symptoms that person declares to their doctor, much like back pain, or stress etc I suppose.

If it wasn't for that disclosure then that person would have my full sympathy. But it niggles with me a bit. It shouldn't do though as it doesn't affect my life. But it got me thinking, is this common place? Do folk really do this?

It's equally likely that people make up symptoms as it is that people make up stories about people they know who make up symptoms, so yes.

[Purosangue]

Downward said:

At least they are working full time though.

whilst putting every other fker on the dole

[The Gauge]

Downward said:

At least they are working full time though.

Well, they are attending work full time, but with regular allocated sleep breaks through the day and a reduced workload to compensate, which probably increases the workload of their colleagues.
It's a difficult one, if they are genuine then they are in an awful situation, but if they are faking it then that puts a different slant on it.

[Doofus]

Purosangue said:

whilst putting every other fker on the dole

Yes. All of them. Every single one



Take it to NP&E

[Super Sonic]

Purosangue said:

Downward said:

At least they are working full time though.

whilst putting every other fker on the dole

Are you angry at everyone who works because they're putting 'every other fker' on the dole? Absolutely batst mental.

[Purosangue]

Super Sonic said:

Purosangue said:

Downward said:

At least they are working full time though.

whilst putting every other fker on the dole

Are you angry at everyone who works because they're putting 'every other fker' on the dole? Absolutely batst mental.

the government ..............or do you need a whoosh

[Super Sonic]

Purosangue said:

the government ..............or do you need a whoosh

So when you replied to Downward's post, where he was talking about the person the op was talking about, you were criticising the government? Ok, a bit random though.

[mike9009]

It is strange.

I still probably have an old fashioned view that health issues which such as cancer, etc. I have a lot of empathy and think the employer should definitely provide support for the individuals concerned.

I have a lot less empathy for some mental health conditions. For example individuals diagnosed with ADHD almost dictating how they should behave and perform at work. Poor output, poor quality, poor time keeping, disruptive behaviour cannot be excused by a mental health condition in a workplace.

This is obvious a singular case (now dealt with.....), but it has tainted my view somewhat.

[zetec]

I thought this thread was going to be about doing sickies due to nicedayitis or can'tbebotheredache!

[dirky dirk]

I work with a person 20 years younger than me,
Always has two weeks off a year.

I’ve had a week all my life.



Only interested in talking about peoples illnesses, that’s it
If you mention an acquaintance has an illness within a couple of months theyve got an appt for it themselves.

Given up asking now
Always a limp or a grimace. Except when it’s home time

[Scrump]

I had an employee who was taking a lot of time off sick with varying reasons given. Doctor’s notes were often not provided. When this was looked into the employee claimed to have a cancer diagnosis.
Work was accommodating for quite a long time but no evidence of a cancer diagnosis was provided.
That individual is no longer an employee.

[Wheel Turned Out]

So you're questioning the validity of their condition based on hearsay, from one other person? I hope you can appreciate how that sounds, reading it.

ETA - there always seems to be a strange self-righteous one-upmanship that comes into place with some people when it comes to sick days. "I've never had a sick day in all my years! Even that day I had my legs blown off I got to the office on time" - well good for you I guess?

Edited by Wheel Turned Out on Saturday 17th January 11:50

[OldPal]

Seen it loads of times, seems to be more prevalent in office environments. Usually symptoms appear when any physical work is required. There’s many names for the ailments but should just come under chronic laziness.

[simon_harris]

Used to work for a printing group with quite complicated sickness allowance based around days per year/shift for the shop floor staff, there was always a number of them that were always exactly bang on the allowance and not a day over so it didn’t cost them any money. It was just a game to them they saw it as what they were allowed to do so did it.

[The Gauge]

Wheel Turned Out said:

So you're questioning the validity of their condition based on hearsay, from one other person?

Yes, I am doing precisely that.

[Lincsls1]

The Gauge said:

Are there actually people out there that fake illness to their employer to have an easier life at work?

Yes, 100%.
Used to work with a colleague that did regularly.

[Hoofy]

mike9009 said:

It is strange.

I still probably have an old fashioned view that health issues which such as cancer, etc. I have a lot of empathy and think the employer should definitely provide support for the individuals concerned.

I have a lot less empathy for some mental health conditions. For example individuals diagnosed with ADHD almost dictating how they should behave and perform at work. Poor output, poor quality, poor time keeping, disruptive behaviour cannot be excused by a mental health condition in a workplace.

This is obvious a singular case (now dealt with.....), but it has tainted my view somewhat.

How was it dealt with?