Out of work from injury

Barti

So I started a new job at the start of May this year, and am still in the probation period. Due to being sick a couple months back I and used up a portion of my days off. Now, about 2 weeks ago, I hurt my foot after tripping (swelled up quite big, full foot bruised). Been in to the doctor who gave me a sick cert for a week to rest it. Used up more work days. It was still hurting over the last two weeks, same level of pain, so went back to the doctor who suggested an x-ray just to be sure.

Sure enough, I have a fracture and damaged ligament (heard a pop after the fall, turns out the ligament pulled hard on the bone and fractured it). So been given crutches and a boot and another week off. At this point, I have used all my holidays and sick days at work, and am now in unpaid leave. The hospital said I would be likely out of work for another few weeks to get it back to normal and get physio and all that.

So, my predicament is, if I am out for the next month almost, and no pay, and no days left to use, is it going to go against me would you reckon for the probationary period? And also, in terms of income, is it just a grin and bear it, or is there anything I can do to keep paying rent?

bucketybuck

What was the first sick period, just a few days or a longer period? What was it for?

Barti

First sick period would have been 3 or 4 days, bad flu leaving me essentially bed bound with a headache and aching muscles. After that would have been the initial few days of having fallen, then the odd few days in work before I got another doctor's note and due to the workplace health and safety I wasn't able to even do desk work. I have used holiday days as well during the year for other events, but now I am out of holidays and sick days, and am likely to be out of work for a couple weeks at least.

my3cents

Where did you hurt your foot, at work or in your own time? - playing football?

OMM 0000

Barti wrote: »

if I am out for the next month almost, and no pay, and no days left to use, is it going to go against me would you reckon for the probationary period?

It really depends on your manager (if they're reasonable, if they like you, etc.), how good you are at your job, how hard it would be to replace you, etc.

Are you able to do your job at home if you were given a work laptop?

Barti

Foot was hurt out in a pub one night, stumbled over a loose threshold of a door, went on my ankle sideways, and heard it pop.

Boss is grand, and very understanding, but it is still relatively early in my time there, especially still being on the probationary period. And no, it's not a work from home job, based in a lab most days, with some days focused on desk work, but few and far between those days.

I was looking up about the social.welfare, but I think there was something like 26 weeks you had to be paying PRSI before that would come into effect, but I haven't met that requirement just yet.

Henry Ford III

A large number of days out sick won't be helpful in a probationary period regardless of how good you are at your job.

If an employer thinks you'll be out of work a lot it couldn't possibly be a non issue.

Doop

I would imagine given you have been out sick for weeks on end the probationary period will probably be extended to the equilivant period, would that not be the logical outcome?

C3PO

Exactly how much time have you missed of the 4 months that you have been in the job OP?

SeaFields

I sign off on plenty of probations op. From the management perspective an accident is an accident. It can happen to the longest serving member of staff or the newest team member. I'd extend the probation by the time missed and take it from there. Now, if you were calling in sick every second Monday morning or for rather wishy washy reasons, that for me would be a big issue and one I'd address and discuss it in a formal meeting. But then again, every business is different in terms of their policy. Perhaps give the manager a call and explain you're concerned and ask what the process is.

irelandrover

Have you actually had 3 periods where you have been off.
First was the flu, then you hurt your foot, went back in for a few days and then were off again.

i know in my place 3 sick leaves in a year triggers an investigation. Which wouldnt look good while on your probation.