Work..... again

[Raven]

Can't believe it! Been put on 8 weeks probation for having 4 days off sick this year! 4 DAYS!!! 2 days mum poisoned me (dodgy chicken) and 2 days for migraines - all days I went to the doctors for. Work know this and my manager sees it as a concern.
Yet there are other people in the office who have had more time off than me and have had nothing!!!!

Last year I received a letter of concern about 12 days when 10 days I was off with a sicknote - thought I was covered by that - Not in our company. #
Ended up with 16 days off last year, including the wisdom teeth 10 days.

This year is a brand new year and I'm getting all this stress AGAIN for 4 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I get the flu or something now I've had it, formal hearing for my absence which could result in me being sacked.

Feel like they don't want me working there anymore.
I work hard, and try and get my productivity as high as I can each day - past few weeks not been so good as they've out me on mailbox (queries from outside of team, 10mins should take time, but most queries go over that) which always ranks me about 85%-95% target is 98-100%
Had my 1-1 meeting last Thursday and manager said don't worry we've noticed that with others when they work on the mailbox, we need to get you doing other tasks when working the mailbox, yea well good luck with that, the mailbox is a constant job don't have time for anything else.

I'm now working extra hard on hard enough jobs just to achieve way over 100% (Thursday was 150% yesterday was 110%) just to get them off my back. I just feel like they are going to use my absence as an excuse to perhaps fire me.

Just don't need this right now. Stressed enough as it is.

 

[Jazzy]

Ended up with 16 days off last year, including the wisdom teeth 10 days.

This year is a brand new year and I'm getting all this stress AGAIN for 4 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From an employers point of view, I can see where it is a concern since you ended up with 16 sick days last year. This is a brand new year and you've already taken 4 sick days. As you mentioned, if you get the flu or something else those 4 days could turn into 14 days or more. The employer had already given you a letter of concern which was their first step before placing you on probation. It's not a matter of not wanting you to work there anymore. It's a matter of how reliable you are. Again, this is how an employer looks at it.

How many sick days does the employer allow each year? Where I work, we are allowed 12 sick days per year. If we are out more than the allotted days, we need a doctors note and we do not get paid for those days. If it happens twice, we received a letter of reprimand and suspension without pay for 3 weeks. The third time, you're immediately terminated.

 

[Raven]

The letter of concern and probation for that period has finished. This is all new. That was on my record for 1 year and should now be cleared.

10 days out of the 16 they knew I was going into hospital for all 4 wisdom teeth removed. They also knew that I would be off for 2 weeks. AND my manager told my mum that I needed to stay home because I hadn't eaten for 2 weeks and couldn't even open my mouth. The first day back to work I get a letter of concern WTF?!

The letter says one thing and then in the next sentence contradicts itself! But that's gone, that's not my point.

I don't actually know how many days you are allowed off sick, It appears to be down to the manager, which means they make it up as they go along.
The thing thats pissed me off the most is that no-one else seems to have been told about they're absence. So why is it just me.
My manager knows I have been having - and seeing the doctor about my migraines, I follow protocol and get back as soon as possible. 4 days in 10 months is not alot. I've had advice from several people and they've all laughed when i've stated 4 days.

Now I have all the stress of trying to not get ill which usually makes me ill and I'll just go in even if i'm spewing up everywhere, just wait to be sent home.

 

[Jazzy]

When you were hired, did you get an employee handbook? This handbook would explain company policy as well as holiday and sick pay.

 

[Raven]

Yep but all it says is that persistent absence will not be tolerated. 4 days is not persistent, especially when I'm working with a doctor and dentist to try and get rid of the migraines, I've only been of for 2 days with a migraine, the other 2 days was food poisoning.

The average sick days in our office is actually 4. 3 people have had more time off than me.

 

[Jazzy]

Yep but all it says is that persistent absence will not be tolerated. 4 days is not persistent, especially when I'm working with a doctor and dentist to try and get rid of the migraines, I've only been of for 2 days with a migraine, the other 2 days was food poisoning.

The average sick days in our office is actually 4. 3 people have had more time off than me.

Never heard of a company that allows managers to decide who and who isn't abusing sick leave. This just opens up the opportunity for a manager to punish an employee they may not 'like' as much as they do another employee. The rules should be clear and NOT interpreted by an unfair or bias manager. I bet some of the managers take more time off than employees that have been chastised for excessive absenteeism. Kind of like a 'do as I say, not as I do' situation.

 

[Raven]

Yea mine. 38 days last year and 8 so far this year :/

 

[Jazzy]

Yea mine. 38 days last year and 8 so far this year :/

Un-freakin-believable! Is there no place, like headquarters, to report this obvious abuse?
Maybe send in an anonymous letter of complaint?

 

[Raven]

I will be writing a letter to the head office.

 

[Jazzy]

I will be writing a letter to the head office.

Bravo! Are there any other employees who feel the same way you do? If so, maybe they could write a letter too.

 

[Raven]

No one else seems to be going through it. Feel like I'm being victimised.

 

[Jazzy]

No one else seems to be going through it. Feel like I'm being victimised.

It would make your letter of complaint a lot stronger if you could get others to back you up. For instance: get a statement from your mum and notes that you're under professional care from your doctor and dentist.

 

[Raven]

Yea I will do

 

[Jazzy]

Yea I will do

Cheers mate!