Calling in sick?

Smurphy1988

Hi i work for a well known retailer and I'm suppose to be working tomorrow and Saturday but I can't because My girlfriends best mate is getting married and there is no way I can't go. My work doesn't allow anybody to request this week off on holidays because it's one if the busiest weeks/weekends of the year so I was unsure if I requested the two days off whether they would have allowed me to take them. I am scheduled in on my own in my department on the Saturday and there is nobody to cover me. I have a newish manager too who I have had a few run ins with and he doesn't like me at all. He is highly regarded in the company. Would my employers be able to punish me in some way for calling in sick like moving me to another department or reducing my hours further?..I only work part time hours and have not been in since Tuesday

davo10

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

Hi i work for a well known retailer and I'm suppose to be working tomorrow and Saturday but I can't because My girlfriends best mate is getting married and there is no way I can't go. My work doesn't allow anybody to request this week off on holidays because it's one if the busiest weeks/weekends of the year so I was unsure if I requested the two days off whether they would have allowed me to take them. I am scheduled in on my own in my department on the Saturday and there is nobody to cover me. I have a newish manager too who I have had a few run ins with and he doesn't like me at all. He is highly regarded in the company. Would my employers be able to punish me in some way for calling in sick like moving me to another department or reducing my hours further?..I only work part time hours and have not been in since Tuesday

Punish you? Claiming you are sick when you aren't? They will fire you and rightly so if you don't provide a cert. Go to the afters, many of the invitees will be in the same boat.

runawaybishop

You don't need a cert unless you have been off for 2+ days.

OP: yes they can reduce your hours assuming that is allowable by your contract. If they think you are taking the proverbial they will manage you out.

Smurphy1988

davo10 wrote: »

Punish you? Claiming you are sick when you aren't? They will fire you and rightly so if you don't provide a cert. Go to the afters, many of the invitees will be in the same boat.

I can't go to the afters if I go to work, the wedding is in the south and I'm living in the west of Ireland that's why I need the two days off. I have not been out sick all year either

Smurphy1988

runawaybishop wrote: »

You don't need a cert unless you have been off for 6+ days.

OP: yes they can reduce your hours assuming that is allowable by your contract. If they think you are taking the proverbial they will manage you out.

Can they manage you out though without any proof?

davo10

runawaybishop wrote: »

You don't need a cert unless you have been off for 6+ days.

Could you provide a link for your 6+ days statement please.

Employers can request certification for any absences due to illness for example 2 consecutive days.

runawaybishop

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

Can they manage you out though without any proof?

Pretty much, yes. If they think an employee is malingering they wont just let it slide.

Smurphy1988

davo10 wrote: »

Could you provide a link for your 6+ days statement please.

Employers can request certification for any absences due to illness for example 2 consecutive days.

It's 3 days before you need a cert anyways

runawaybishop

davo10 wrote: »

Could you provide a link for your 6+ days statement please.

Employers can request certification for any absences due to illness for example 2 consecutive days.

Right sorry, got confused with the payment window - its 2+ consecutive days that you'll need a sick cert for.It should be noted though that you can get a sick cert easily.

Smurphy1988

runawaybishop wrote: »

Pretty much, yes. If they think an employee is malingering they wont just let it slide.

But anybody can get sick at any time surely

davo10

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

Can they manage you out though without any proof?

You have to prove to your employer that you were ill and unable to work (cert) not the other way round. If your contract states your need a cert and you don't produce one, you are absent without leave and out the door.

Smurphy1988

davo10 wrote: »

You have to prove to your employer that you were ill and unable to work (cert) not the other way round. If your contract states your need a cert and you don't produce one, you are absent without leave and out the door.

I know I don't need a cert when iv been out for 2 days I'm pretty sure it's 3

davo10

runawaybishop wrote: »

though that you can get a sick cert easily.

Ah, no you can't, you have to be ill, attend a GP, pay for the visit and convince a GP to sign you off.

davo10

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

It's 3 days before you need a cert anyways

Wrong, check your contract, some employers require it if two consecutive days are taken, most say three but there is no rule.

HeidiHeidi

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

Hi i work for a well known retailer and I'm suppose to be working tomorrow and Saturday but I can't because My girlfriends best mate is getting married and there is no way I can't go. My work doesn't allow anybody to request this week off on holidays because it's one if the busiest weeks/weekends of the year so I was unsure if I requested the two days off whether they would have allowed me to take them. I am scheduled in on my own in my department on the Saturday and there is nobody to cover me. I have a newish manager too who I have had a few run ins with and he doesn't like me at all. He is highly regarded in the company. Would my employers be able to punish me in some way for calling in sick like moving me to another department or reducing my hours further?..I only work part time hours and have not been in since Tuesday

I'd rewind to this bit.

You can not go. You just don't want to not go.

Diddling your employers, and leaving your department (by your own admission) unmanned or in a jock, with almost no notice on a BH weekend, is seriously bad form.

davo10

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

But anybody can get sick at any time surely

Yes, but you are not sick.

hallo dare

If you call in sick and attend the wedding and someone at the wedding decides to upload a few pics on Facebook, then someone at work sees these photos..........

You see where this is going?!!

Best to be straight about the whole thing.

Eoin

davo10 wrote: »

Ah, no you can't, you have to be ill, attend a GP, pay for the visit and convince a GP to sign you off.

I am pretty sure there are enough doctors out there who will be happy to take your word that you were sick a few days ago and collect a few quid for signing a note.

Red_Dwarf

How Long has it been that you knew about the Wedding?

Im sorry to say but you are contracted to work for that company and if you call in sick, they can take many actions against you including dismissal if they prove otherwise. The chances are they cant but you never know.

Its really your call what you do but remember there could be consequences for your decision.

A_Sober_Paddy

davo10 wrote: »

Ah, no you can't, you have to be ill, attend a GP, pay for the visit and convince a GP to sign you off.

Just pull an all nighter go to the doc say your having trouble sleeping with stress from work and need a few days off to just try and catch up on sleep and relax

runawaybishop

davo10 wrote: »

Ah, no you can't, you have to be ill, attend a GP, pay for the visit and convince a GP to sign you off.

In theory this is what you have to do, in reality it is not.

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

But anybody can get sick at any time surely

Yes, but you are not sick.

coldcake

Does this really belong in Work Problems? Sounds like somebody wants advice on how to deceive their employer.

Sunny Dayz

If you wanted the time off work you should have booked it off or arranged for cover. If it's your girl friend's best friend getting wed you obviously would need to go but you would have also known about the wedding well in advance and RSVP'd to go to it.

What is going to happen your department if you just don't show up for work?

If you do call in sick and go to the wedding, there's a good chance you could be found out. What if someone else see's you in a photo on facebook, you don't know who could be connected to anyone else going to the wedding or knowing someone at the wedding.

Jogathon

I think you shouldn't go to the wedding. Work comes first. You should have requested the days off two months ago when you received the wedding invite. I know you say that they don't grant leave over this weekend, but if you had brought the invite in and shown that you were genuine then it would have been a different scenario I'm sure.

When my brother was working in the local supermarket he requested my sister's wedding day off and was refused due to it being the week before Christmas. However, as soon as he said what it was for, and how he genuinely could not work that Saturday, they had no problem whatsoever.

Honesty is appreciated by employers.

davo10

Eoin wrote: »

I am pretty sure there are enough doctors out there who will be happy to take your word that you were sick a few days ago and collect a few quid for signing a note.

You would be wrong Eoin, Medical Council have cracked down heavily on this since Prime Time reporter went around Dublin feigning illness and collecting sick notes. If employers suspect a particular GP is doing what you say, they refuse to accept sick certs from that GP.

RachaelVO

OP sorry can't give you any backing here.

You knew well in advance that this wedding was coming up, once you knew you should have booked your days off. Most employers will be very flexible when they know there is an event on the horizon, but they have no reason to be with a week or less notice. I think you're being a bit childish TBH. We all have to work, get time off etc; failing to see why you should be any different to the rest of us.

Why didn't you book the time off on time?

Eoin

davo10 wrote: »

You would be wrong Eoin, Medical Council have cracked down heavily on this since Prime Time reporter went around Dublin feigning illness and collecting sick notes. If employers suspect a particular GP is doing what you say, they refuse to accept sick certs from that GP.

That's actually what I think I was basing it on - I'm glad to hear they're clamping down on it.

runawaybishop

davo10 wrote: »

You would be wrong Eoin, Medical Council have cracked down heavily on this since Prime Time reporter went around Dublin feigning illness and collecting sick notes. If employers suspect a particular GP is doing what you say, they refuse to accept sick certs from that GP.

The practise is still widespread.

Smurphy1988

RachaelVO wrote: »

OP sorry can't give you any backing here.

You knew well in advance that this wedding was coming up, once you knew you should have booked your days off. Most employers will be very flexible when they know there is an event on the horizon, but they have no reason to be with a week or less notice. I think you're being a bit childish TBH. We all have to work, get time off etc; failing to see why you should be any different to the rest of us.

Why didn't you book the time off on time?

I kept forgetting to request it off, I'm busy with studying for my masters too and it just kept slipping my mind. Stressed worrying about it now she'll kill me if I don't go

ElleEm

Weigh up attending the wedding and having a happy girlfriend for a night or being unemployed and job hunting on top of the stress of your Masters.

runawaybishop

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

I kept forgetting to request it off, I'm busy with studying for my masters too and it just kept slipping my mind. Stressed worrying about it now she'll kill me if I don't go

So go and risk losing your job or don't and she kills you. Just ask her what she thinks, then you can make it her problem \:D/

HeidiHeidi

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

I kept forgetting to request it off, I'm busy with studying for my masters too and it just kept slipping my mind. Stressed worrying about it now she'll kill me if I don't go

How is any of that your employer's fault? (S)He's the one that'll be at a serious loss if you pull your sickie.

RachaelVO

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

I kept forgetting to request it off, I'm busy with studying for my masters too and it just kept slipping my mind. Stressed worrying about it now she'll kill me if I don't go

She'll get over it, unfortunately when it comes to earning, your employer has the power not your missus!

Del2005

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

I kept forgetting to request it off, I'm busy with studying for my masters too and it just kept slipping my mind. Stressed worrying about it now she'll kill me if I don't go

As soon as you found out about the wedding you should have arranged to swap shifts, it's still not too late to try.

As others have pointed out it's a small country and I wouldn't be surprised if someone you know through work is at the wedding or you bump into them around the venue.

Michael D Not Higgins

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

My work doesn't allow anybody to request this week off on holidays.

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

I am scheduled in on my own in my department on the Saturday and there is nobody to cover me.

Someone obviously has the days off, unfortunately it's not you.

maguic24

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

Hi i work for a well known retailer and I'm suppose to be working tomorrow and Saturday but I can't because My girlfriends best mate is getting married and there is no way I can't go. My work doesn't allow anybody to request this week off on holidays because it's one if the busiest weeks/weekends of the year so I was unsure if I requested the two days off whether they would have allowed me to take them. I am scheduled in on my own in my department on the Saturday and there is nobody to cover me. I have a newish manager too who I have had a few run ins with and he doesn't like me at all. He is highly regarded in the company. Would my employers be able to punish me in some way for calling in sick like moving me to another department or reducing my hours further?..I only work part time hours and have not been in since Tuesday

Why have you not been in since Tuesday? Not scheduled to work?

aaronosiochain

I think you should go to the wedding. Dont listen to these "judgy mac judgersons"

irishguy1983

aaronosiochain wrote: »

I think you should go to the wedding. Dont listen to these "judgy mac judgersons"

Well said. These people drive me mad. it is their attitude that astounds me - I understand they are correct but you'd swear he was off to commit murder.

Don't bother your arse going into work and attend the wedding. The retailer will survive without you (I'd say they couldn't less about you - most employers don't). I doubt your job is that important.

HeidiHeidi

aaronosiochain wrote: »

I think you should go to the wedding. Dont listen to these "judgy mac judgersons"

What a very grown-up attitude.

His employer is the only "judgy mac juderson" who matters, and (s)he'd be completely entitled to be very pissed off indeed, and take whatever action they deem appropriate as a consequence to being lied to and left in the lurch on a busy trading weekend.

As long as he goes to the wedding with his eyes wide open to that.

maguic24

irishguy1983 wrote: »

Well said. These people drive me mad. it is their attitude that astounds me - I understand they are correct but you'd swear he was off to commit murder.

Don't bother your arse going into work and attend the wedding. The retailer will survive without you (I'd say they couldn't less about you - most employers don't). I doubt your job is that important.

In all fairness, he could have told them months ago and it wouldn't be an issue.

We are very busy in July, a lot of people out etc. I told my employer in January I need a week of in July, no problem. I know that is a lot of notice but I wasn't waiting around for hassle at the last minute. Jeez, how hard is it to be upfront about things?

irishguy1983

maguic24 wrote: »

In all fairness, he could have told them months ago and it wouldn't be an issue.

We are very busy in July, a lot of people out etc. I told my employer in January I need a week of in July, no problem. I know that is a lot of notice but I wasn't waiting around for hassle at the last minute. Jeez, how hard is it to be upfront about things?

Agreed but big deal???!! Hardly crime of the century - some people need to get off their high horse. I agree he could have handled it differently but the tone of some of the answers is ridiculous.

Let's just say tis Tesco's for example. I have a strong feeling Tesco's will sruvive him calling in sick - Tesco's couldn't give a hoot about him. Tesco's has been around before him and will be there after he's gone.

Belt away and enjoy the wedding

sdanseo

Smurphy1988 wrote: »

I can't go to the afters if I go to work, the wedding is in the south and I'm living in the west of Ireland that's why I need the two days off. I have not been out sick all year either

You're being selfish -I work in a small shop with only 4 or 5 staff and if holidays are taken already or not available then I do without the day off.

Can you not ask someone to swap the shift with you?

If you have to work and are willing to pull a sicky fair enough, but to be as brazen as to ask on a public forum how best to commit fraud, makes me wonder how much you care about earning a crust to be honest. Seems very short sighted.

Alas, Irish employment law means that unless you admit faking it, they won't be able to prove gross misconduct and thus can't sack you for it unless you've already received a verbal and two written warnings. :mad:

irishguy1983

sdeire wrote: »

You're being selfish -I work in a small shop with only 4 or 5 staff and if holidays are taken already or not available then I do without the day off.

Can you not ask someone to swap the shift with you?

If you have to work and are willing to pull a sicky fair enough, but to be as brazen as to ask on a public forum how best to commit fraud, makes me wonder how much you care about earning a crust to be honest. Seems very short sighted.

Alas, Irish employment law means that unless you admit faking it, they won't be able to prove gross misconduct and thus can't sack you for it unless you've already received a verbal and two written warnings. :mad:

Yes he deserves to be sacked due to opening up this forum. Mother of God.

Eoin

irishguy1983 wrote: »

Let's just say tis Tesco's for example. I have a strong feeling Tesco's will sruvive him calling in sick - Tesco's couldn't give a hoot about him. Tesco's has been around before him and will be there after he's gone.

He might be gone sooner than he likes though; there's no harm in people pointing that out.

The "high horse" card wouldn't be used if the OP was complaining about them leaving him in the lurch.

The OP has asked what the chances are of it biting him in the ass; people are telling him that he's not acting professionally, so it could well happen. I don't see much wrong with that.

sdanseo

irishguy1983 wrote: »

Yes he deserves to be sacked due to opening up this forum. Mother of God.

I didn't say he deserves to be sacked for pulling one sicky, I doubt there's a person here that hasn't done it once or twice. His attitude in public about it is a different thing though.

martinn123

irishguy1983 wrote: »

Agreed but big deal???!! Hardly crime of the century - some people need to get off their high horse. I agree he could have handled it differently but the tone of some of the answers is ridiculous.


Belt away and enjoy the wedding

Don't forget your phone.

Lots of pic's for your F/B page, and plenty of tag's on your friends.

Then maybe a YouTube video, of you dancing, into the small hours

That will impress your Employer no end when some of your work colleagues you are leaving in the lurch, show them round the workplace next week.

davo10

irishguy1983 wrote: »

Yes he deserves to be sacked due to opening up this forum. Mother of God.

No stupid, he deserves to be sacked for feigning illness.

gouche

sdeire wrote: »

Alas, Irish employment law means that unless you admit faking it, they won't be able to prove gross misconduct and thus can't sack you for it unless you've already received a verbal and two written warnings. :mad:

You right that sentence as if that's a bad thing.

While I don't agree with what the OP is doing, it's not going to be the end of the world (or his employer) if he calls in sick.
Is it irresponsible and childish? Yes.
Is he, or his employer, going to care in a few months time? Probably not.
Hell, he's probably not going to be working there in a year or two's time.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

OhHiMark

In fairness, if his employer does see this thread, it probably won't be too hard to see what's happened when S Murphy, aged 26 calls in sick tomorrow.

Eoin

sdeire wrote: »

Alas, Irish employment law means that unless you admit faking it, they won't be able to prove gross misconduct and thus can't sack you for it unless you've already received a verbal and two written warnings. :mad:

That's not really set in stone though. There are recommendations and certain rules that must be followed (right to appeal etc), but that's not one of them.

If for example they could prove it, but it wasn't gross misconduct, they can go straight to a written warning, but would need to be able to back themselves up if it ever got to the labour court.