Promotion Problems

Gary4279

Hi,
I work in a large retail store and I have it on good account that a position I have wanted for some time will be coming available over the next few weeks. The application is interview based.

However, yesterday I had a bit of a blow out with my HR manager (first time ever) because I rang in sick on Monday. She didn't like this because it was a bank holiday and assumed I was hungover, I could tell she hinted at this. In truth I was actually sick. This really annoyed me because I only miss work 2-3 times a year max so I thought this was unfair.

After the talk I decided I wasn't going to bother going for it as she would be doing the interviews. However after I slept on it I decided I would apply because it may be worth a shot.

The role is for supervisor of a department which I know I could walk into easily. But in light of what happened I think I may be up against it. Basically, does anyone have any advise on what I should do. things to say in the interview and most importantly what I should write in the application letter.

Thanks in advance.

ongarboy

As regards the interview itself, they may ask a number of compentency based questions (eg, how would you deal with such a situation etc) so prepare yourself for this. Also, compile a list of examples where you went above and beyond the call of duty during your time with the company so far, examples of outstanding customer service, resolving crisis etc. Also, prepare to pitch for why you really want this job, what you will bring to it and how the company will benefit from you taking this role.

Tigger

if you want a promotion you go to work sick and you don't even mention it

not criticisim just advice

bensweeney

Tigger wrote: »

if you want a promotion you go to work sick and you don't even mention it

not criticisim just advice

I agree with this, if you want to be a supervisor/manager you cant be calling in sick like this.

Poula

Tigger wrote: »

if you want a promotion you go to work sick and you don't even mention it

not criticisim just advice

So this is what we're reduced to to get a promotion.. :rolleyes: You were sick. You did the responsible thing and stayed home thus not infecting half the staff in your department . Any manager worth his/her salt should realise this and applaud your dilligence.

Tigger

Poula wrote: »

So this is what we're reduced to to get a promotion.. :rolleyes: You were sick. You did the responsible thing and stayed home thus not infecting half the staff in your department . Any manager worth his/her salt should realise this and applaud your dilligence.

should and will are 2 different things

sorry but its advice not a support group

Gary4279

I usually do, which is why I was quite annoyed when I got in trouble this one time. I have food poisoning for three days. I just would ave destroyed the shop if I even attempted it.

The position was announced today. Heres hoping.

Tigger

Poula wrote: »

So this is what we're reduced to to get a promotion.. :rolleyes: You were sick. You did the responsible thing and stayed home thus not infecting half the staff in your department . Any manager worth his/her salt should realise this and applaud your dilligence.

you cant catch food posioning

Mrs OBumble

Tigger wrote: »

you cant catch food posioning

Ahh, actually, with some types of it, you can.

Especially if the OP is in a business that handles food, then working while sick with food poisoning would be a breach of basic H&S, and should be enough to ensure that s/he doesn't get a promotion.

Poula

Gary4279 wrote: »

Hi,

The role is for supervisor of a department which I know I could walk into easily. But in light of what happened I think I may be up against it. Basically, does anyone have any advise on what I should do. things to say in the interview and most importantly what I should write in the application letter.

Thanks in advance.

As Tigger obviously shares the same mindset as your HR manager on how people should completely disregard your own personal health for your job, maybe he/she may be the best person to advise you on what kind of interview you can expect.

castie

Tigger wrote: »

if you want a promotion you go to work sick and you don't even mention it

not criticisim just advice

Where I work its a bad mark against you if you come in sick.
Considered irresponsible and certainly would hurt any promotion opportunites.

Bandana boy

I would guess that missing work ill 2-3 times a year is an indicator of the system getting played.
If your genuinely ill that often I would see a doctor and make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle for your own sake.

Regular Monday absence (I would suggest 3 times a year is regular)is looked on by employers with scepticism.This in my experience is because a substantial amount of these occurrences are fake.

I hope for you that your employer looks past this and judges you on the merits of your application.That said if there is a problem with absenteeism in your company and they suspect you are contributing to the issue, then rewarding an employee with this problem would be foolish.
As with all things in life a contract works both ways.Employers have a reasonable expectation of employees to turn up to work if they expect to get paid.
I suspect that those complaining here about employers would be pretty upset (probably out raged) if a service they paid for was not provided regardless of the excuse.

Bray Header

Bandana Boy, that's quite possible the most condescending post I have ever read on Boards. And that's saying something!

tatli_lokma

Just my view on this, whilst in theory I agree with posters who say if you're sick, you're sick and you shouldn't be in work, in reality and particularly in retail a lot of people do take advantage and claim to be sick when they are rostered on an unpopular day.

Being rostered to work on BH monday and not coming in and claiming 3 days of food poisoning does not look good when you are up for promotion. If you had food poisoning for three days, Monday being one of them, then you would have known before then you were probably still going to be ill on Monday. It would have looked better to give a heads up in advance of this. If the food poisoning started on Monday and ran to Wednesday then you should get a sick cert. Or perhaps phoning a colleague who was off and seeing if they would cover you - that shows you are considerate and that you are thinking like a responsible person, not landing the others in it. You have arranged cover, so although you are sick the others won't suffer extra workload.

I don't know the OP, so I don't know their work ethic or how they present themselves in work, so I am not judging. But I have worked in retail in a past life and it was quite a regular thing for at least one person to phone in on a BH and claim food poisoning or similar just to have a the day off. It may not be what the OP was doing, but it doesn't look good in fairness, does it? Especially when you are hoping to have a role as a supervisor.
As a supervisor I often went into work dying of flu on more than one occasion. I know I may have passed on my lurgies to others, but it wasn't an option as there was no other manager on. In retail its cut throat - if you are needed you are needed. Most places can't afford extra staff so shifts are cut to the bear minimum of staff. If one person calls in sick then its a big headache. I know a lot of people who work in retail who literally have to show up, practically dying or else they would be risking their jobs.

If it were me, even if I were sick and crawling on my hands and knees, I would have shown my face. If I were as sick as you say, then in all liklihood I would be sent home immediately. But at least I would have been able to show willing, show that I was prepared to come in rather than leave them short on a BH, and no one could doubt if I was genuine or not. I know its not fair, but in this cometitive market that's what I would have done.

I know its terrible that people are in fear of loosing their jobs and afraid to be sick, and that you might loose a promotion because of time taken off, but when there is a queue of people down the street waiting to take your place, I just wouldn't give anyone even a suspicion that I was not being honest when I said I was ill.

Bandana boy

Bray Header wrote: »

Bandana Boy, that's quite possible the most condescending post I have ever read on Boards. And that's saying something!

Well it was not meant to be
But i suspect if you read a few more threads you will change your mind