Sick for week and got threatened

dodderangler · 21-04-2015 10:36am #1

Basically as title says I was out sick for a week with a chest infection and gave a sick note from the doctor for it.
I was walking to get parts and met the boss. I said hi and he pulled me up being out and I sai well I Gave a doctors note and he said" I couldn't give a flying fcuk what you gave. Your costing me money and wasting my time."
Then he told me I'm a useless prîck and a waste of time and energy and I'm only a fcukin headache to him that needs to be got rid of.
These are his exact words and I wrote on a sheet the date and time and his words given on a sheet in case something happened.
I've made a mistake or two in the job but few and far between.
Yet he throws this at me and starts being abusive towards me. Then he threatened me of my job saying he wants me gone and that he's going to tell my supervisor if I out a hair out of line I'm gone.
All this came from me being out sick.
Is this allowed despite the fact he is the owner.

_Brian · 21-04-2015 11:19am

dodderangler wrote: »

Basically as title says I was out sick for a week with a chest infection and gave a sick note from the doctor for it.
I was walking to get parts and met the boss. I said hi and he pulled me up being out and I sai well I Gave a doctors note and he said" I couldn't give a flying fcuk what you gave. Your costing me money and wasting my time."
Then he told me I'm a useless prîck and a waste of time and energy and I'm only a fcukin headache to him that needs to be got rid of.
These are his exact words and I wrote on a sheet the date and time and his words given on a sheet in case something happened.
I've made a mistake or two in the job but few and far between.
Yet he throws this at me and starts being abusive towards me. Then he threatened me of my job saying he wants me gone and that he's going to tell my supervisor if I out a hair out of line I'm gone.
All this came from me being out sick.
Is this allowed despite the fact he is the owner.

This isn't acceptable at all. But depending on the company structure you could be in a bind.
You did right to document everything. Did Anyone else hear this abuse?? Might be helpful if they signed te sheet too.

But, I've had senior managers come to me as supervisor and basically say the same, fed up of X so now off you go and manage him out the door, mostly that's what I did.

It's all down to you now, do you want to keep working in this company, ??

If not start looking for a job now, keep your head down and take the first out you can.

If you need or want to stay, I'd say go to the supervisor. Explain you spoke wih the owner and it didn't go well. But you are keen to keep your job and ask him/her to work with you to ensure it happens.

Owners will often get their way, maybe he just needed to vent and this will be the end of it. But it's possible you'll be moving job soon like it or not.

dodderangler · 21-04-2015 12:06pm

I can understand that and if he let me go that's his decision but it's the manner of which he spoke in.
Verbal abuse at me. I of course stood there and let him give it as I didn't know if he was sacking me or not.
And the fact that I was sick aswell. It's not as if I was dodging work. I was sick because of the job I work in and had gotten sick from being in the environment I work in

davo10 · 21-04-2015 12:35pm

Are you permanent, how long have you worked there and how many times have you been out sick?

dodderangler · 21-04-2015 12:38pm

davo10 wrote: »

Are you permanent, how long have you worked there and how many times have you been out sick?

Yeah I'm permanent and Been here over 13 months and was sick in January and sick last week. Before that I never had a sick day.

davo10 · 21-04-2015 12:42pm

dodderangler wrote: »

Yeah I'm permanent and Been here over 13 months and was sick in January and sick last week. Before that I never had a sick day.

Then you have access to the the unfair dismissals act and employment tribunal if you are dismissed.

MagicMarker · 21-04-2015 12:43pm

You're obviously not that sick if you can go for a stroll. Can you really not see why your boss was pissed at you? He handled it badly of course, but I wouldn't go expecting any promotions in the future.

Frigga_92 · 21-04-2015 12:47pm

MagicMarker wrote: »

You're obviously not that sick if you can go for a stroll. Can you really not see why your boss was pissed at you? He handled it badly of course, but I wouldn't go expecting any promotions in the future.

Where does it say he went for a stroll?

dodderangler wrote: »

I was walking to get parts and met the boss.

My understanding of this is that he is back in work and was walking to get parts in his job?

Tommy Kelly · 21-04-2015 12:52pm

MagicMarker wrote: »

You're obviously not that sick if you can go for a stroll. Can you really not see why your boss was pissed at you? He handled it badly of course, but I wouldn't go expecting any promotions in the future.

Tell me why his boss was pissed with him because I can't see why he would be and why would he not be expecting any promotions in the future too? Get sick and there goes your chances of promotion, in fact to hell with that you're as good as gone?!

BlatentCheek · 21-04-2015 12:57pm

Tommy Kelly wrote: »

Tell me why his boss was pissed with him because I can't see why he would be and why would he not be expecting any promotions in the future too? Get sick and there goes your chances of promotion, in fact to hell with that you're as good as gone?!

Obviously. Sickness is weakness don't you know?

All the smartest companies maintain that competitive edge by chucking any employee out the door as soon as they have a sniffle :rolleyes:

Roquentin · 21-04-2015 1:02pm

reminds me of that "play the ****in' note" scene in father ted, no offense op

id say get out of there op. look for a new start

dodderangler · 21-04-2015 1:25pm

MagicMarker wrote: »

You're obviously not that sick if you can go for a stroll. Can you really not see why your boss was pissed at you? He handled it badly of course, but I wouldn't go expecting any promotions in the future.

A stroll? I work in a truck garage and we have a parts department which is on the other side of the building so I had to WAlk to get parts for the truck I was working on and I met my boss on the way.

dodderangler · 21-04-2015 1:27pm

Frigga_92 wrote: »

Where does it say he went for a stroll?

My understanding of this is that he is back in work and was walking to get parts in his job?

Your spot on. We have a parts department and it's on other side of building so I had to walk to it to get parts to continue repairing the job I was on.

Roquentin · 21-04-2015 2:24pm

maybe the boss is just under stress. when im under lots of stress i get pissed off like hell. still though, i would expect at least an apology from the boss for what he said to you

OldNotWIse · 21-04-2015 2:28pm

MagicMarker wrote: »

You're obviously not that sick if you can go for a stroll. Can you really not see why your boss was pissed at you? He handled it badly of course, but I wouldn't go expecting any promotions in the future.

Expecting to be spoken to in a manner that is not crude, intimidating and abusive is the same as looking for a promotion? There are ways and means of airing grievances, and proper channels in which to do this. This is 2015 - there is no excuse for people in a workplace to be speaking to others like that - regardless of what rank they are or what the person has done.

21-04-2015 2:31pm

MagicMarker wrote: »

You're obviously not that sick if you can go for a stroll. Can you really not see why your boss was pissed at you? He handled it badly of course, but I wouldn't go expecting any promotions in the future.

stupid idiotic comment

Mrs OBumble · 21-04-2015 3:18pm

OP, bullying is not acceptable, and there are health and safety laws about it. But a one-off incident is not bullying. So if the boss is not rude to you in future, then you can do nothing about the fact that he was rude once.

Suggesting that you could lose your job because you get sick is actually allowed: having a doctor's certificate explains but does not excuse your illness. (That's the HR-ese way of looking at it.). If you do not maintain adequate health to do the job, then you can indeed get put on a disciplinary process, which may eventually lead to getting fired.

Now, most reasonable empployers won't behave like this: they know that human beings get sick occasionally - and that in most cases they recover and go to be productive workers again. But if an employer is looking for a reason to get rid of someone, then sickness can be the deciding factor. (We know from other threads that in some companies, if you have a 3rd instance of sick leave in a year that's an automatic verbal warning.)

It seems to me that either your boss had a bad day - he might apologise (or he might not) but probably didn't mean it. OR your boss is an a** who is breaking the law and if his behaviour continues then you can probably sue him for compensation (after getting advice from a real lawyer, of course).

But if he really is an a**, then life could get very miserable and difficult before you get any compensation. Some people may be willing to face this. Others would prefer to simply find another job. Only you can tell which group you fit into.

Cu Baire · 21-04-2015 4:29pm

MagicMarker wrote: »

You're obviously not that sick if you can go for a stroll. Can you really not see why your boss was pissed at you? He handled it badly of course, but I wouldn't go expecting any promotions in the future.

And I'm sure you can see why posters on here are pissed at you!!
How about an apology to the OP?

RossD12 · 21-04-2015 4:37pm

Look for a new job, once you get one, call your current boss and tell him you quit! But your boss should really apologise because I wouldn't work for someone who would say that to my face!

dodderangler · 21-04-2015 5:29pm

Thanks for the advice bar 1.
I have since been looking online for a job and I have seen the owner twice in workshop and he hasn't approached me so he must've meant it.
I I was sacked is there any procedure after it?
Unfair dismissal or anything

_Brian · 21-04-2015 5:40pm

dodderangler wrote: »

Thanks for the advice bar 1.
I have since been looking online for a job and I have seen the owner twice in workshop and he hasn't approached me so he must've meant it.
I I was sacked is there any procedure after it?
Unfair dismissal or anything

It depends on how clever they are about it.
You could make a work error in the morning and this could be the first step in managing you out the door. Not much can be done if they do it properly.

zarquon · 21-04-2015 5:45pm

There's more to this story than meets the eye. The reaction of the manager would most likely indicate an underperforming employee with this being the last straw for the manager. His reaction seems to be a build up rather than an isolated reaction.

I've seen this many times myself. Poor employees are often hard to accept but then an underperforming employee who goes off on extended sick leave or maternity leave can be nearly rage inducing especially when there is a strong desire to replace the employee anyway due to their performance alone irrespective of any leave.

However, the way in which the manager in question handled this was completely inappropriate and out of line.

The Dark Side · 21-04-2015 7:18pm

zarquon wrote: »

There's more to this story than meets the eye. The reaction of the manager would most likely indicate an underperforming employee with this being the last straw for the manager. His reaction seems to be a build up rather than an isolated reaction.

Could just as likely be a bullying imbecile of a manager having a bad day and deciding to let off steam by shouting at someone.

Which from reading the OP's posts on the matter would seem the more likely scenario.

dodderangler · 22-04-2015 9:00am

Just t give a background on this fella. Basically if he takes a disliking to someone he can be really bad.
He basically bullied a young lad to force him to leave. He doesn't like firing people and I was told this this morning.
He'll basically make someone feel so uncomfortable about working here that they'll leave and after having a chat with a lad who's been here a good few years that that's what he's trying to do. And that I should expect more bursts like that.
I'm only going to stay here until I find another job.

LegacyUser · 22-04-2015 9:23am

I have been in this situation and you are better off leaving as soon as you can find something else.

I was bullied for years by the owner of the business I worked in and eventually left. Prior to me other people were bulled out & since me there have been other candidates. These people always need somebody to feed on & unfortunately you are the current victim.

Look for another job - I know it's not easy but keep plugging away until something comes up. In my case, the longer I stayed there the more determined he was to get me out so the nastier he became.

Best of luck OP

dodderangler · 23-04-2015 11:10am

Thanks again for the advice.
This morning he came in and gave out fcuk to a different lad over something then he came over to me. I was working away minding my own business getting stuck in to the job and he called my name and I was expecting an apology but instead he lashed out at me again and again referred to me being out sick and used bad language again and Valle me a useless waste of his time and energy. Saying I cost him money by not being in. I was sick for god sake. Anyway twice he called waste of money and called me a useless pr1ck and that it's a joke and he disgusted that I'm still here.

obriendj · 23-04-2015 11:27am

dodderangler wrote: »

Thanks again for the advice.
This morning he came in and gave out fcuk to a different lad over something then he came over to me. I was working away minding my own business getting stuck in to the job and he called my name and I was expecting an apology but instead he lashed out at me again and again referred to me being out sick and used bad language again and Valle me a useless waste of his time and energy. Saying I cost him money by not being in. I was sick for god sake. Anyway twice he called waste of money and called me a useless pr1ck and that it's a joke and he disgusted that I'm still here.

He sounds like an a$$ - is he the owner or is there someone above him you can talk to?
If not then you can continue to record incidents like this which may be useful in future. If he doesn't fire anyone but wants you to leave in on your own accord so he is not done for unfair dismissal. Thats what is sounds like to me.

How long you want to put up with it is up to you. and weither you want to fight back, argue your point, get him to point out the times you have been lazy/or a bad employee.

OldNotWIse · 23-04-2015 12:23pm

obriendj wrote: »

He sounds like an a$$ - is he the owner or is there someone above him you can talk to?
If not then you can continue to record incidents like this which may be useful in future. If he doesn't fire anyone but wants you to leave in on your own accord so he is not done for unfair dismissal. Thats what is sounds like to me.

How long you want to put up with it is up to you. and weither you want to fight back, argue your point, get him to point out the times you have been lazy/or a bad employee.

Could very well be true. In such circumstances, there might be grounds for constructive dismissal. Leaving off your own bat because it is impossible to stay there.

_Brian · 23-04-2015 3:55pm

TBH if this is the way it's going down then my advice is get out ASAP and don't be bothering with the legalities of taking a case. It's possible to do but who what's the hastle.

Start looking for a job where you'll be treated with respect for the work you do.

BlatentCheek · 23-04-2015 4:14pm

dodderangler wrote: »

Thanks again for the advice.
This morning he came in and gave out fcuk to a different lad over something then he came over to me. I was working away minding my own business getting stuck in to the job and he called my name and I was expecting an apology but instead he lashed out at me again and again referred to me being out sick and used bad language again and Valle me a useless waste of his time and energy. Saying I cost him money by not being in. I was sick for god sake. Anyway twice he called waste of money and called me a useless pr1ck and that it's a joke and he disgusted that I'm still here.

Don't let him run you out of your job. By all means explore alternatives but don't jump ship until you have something better lined up.

You did nothing wrong and there's no reason why you should voluntarily forfeit your job and save your boss from complying with his responsibilities as an employer if he wants rid of you.

Other people on this thread have referred to how he will push you to resign so as to avoid an unfair dismissal action. This may be so but his actions so far do not appear to be those of a smart man with a plan so much as a bullying idiot. If this is how he will continue to act then he is creating a tremendous exposure on his part to a constructive dismissal action down the line.

Begin taking notes of all of your interactions with him where you feel that he is acting abusive. Changes to your work situation and arrangements should also be documented and consider requesting reasons for them if they appear odd. So far you only have two incidents but if it builds into a pattern then consider going to a solicitor. Bear in mind that you're not doing anything wrong in trying to hold onto your job, or seeking recompense if you are unfairly pushed out of it.

Sunny Dayz · 23-04-2015 4:34pm

I know a lot of people are saying don't let him bully you out of a job, and they are right too. But just be careful as this kind of treatment can wear you down. I was in a job where both bosses took a dislike to me, made me feel like I was useless at my job, told me I wouldn't qualify (as an accountant) etc. It did have an affect on me and took me a while to build up my confidence again in my abilities once I was gone from there. Hopefully you have a thick enough skin for him. Do see if you have a line manager, department manager, someone else that you can report him too. Do keep a record of the incidents also.

Tar.Aldarion · 23-04-2015 4:53pm

Pretty much get a job lined up and leave, all you can do. It's not worth working in an environment like that, working is hard enough as it is.

_Brian · 23-04-2015 6:13pm

BlatentCheek wrote: »

Don't let him run you out of your job. By all means explore alternatives but don't jump ship until you have something better lined up.

You did nothing wrong and there's no reason why you should voluntarily forfeit your job and save your boss from complying with his responsibilities as an employer if he wants rid of you.

Other people on this thread have referred to how he will push you to resign so as to avoid an unfair dismissal action. This may be so but his actions so far do not appear to be those of a smart man with a plan so much as a bullying idiot. If this is how he will continue to act then he is creating a tremendous exposure on his part to a constructive dismissal action down the line.

Begin taking notes of all of your interactions with him where you feel that he is acting abusive. Changes to your work situation and arrangements should also be documented and consider requesting reasons for them if they appear odd. So far you only have two incidents but if it builds into a pattern then consider going to a solicitor. Bear in mind that you're not doing anything wrong in trying to hold onto your job, or seeking recompense if you are unfairly pushed out of it.

Ya know, its all fair going on about responsibilities and protections etc, bla bla..
But, remember this guy ownes the company, if he's taken a serious dislike to OP then there are a myriad of ways to have OP out the door, and have a watertight paperwork trail too. In the past I've been the guy making this happen so I know it can be done, and with the backing of the owner its a sure thing. This is the real world, owners have huge sway in what happens in a company !

OP should be actively and swiftly looking for alternative employment, it will lessen the chances of him having a break in employment.

Bongalongherb · 23-04-2015 6:27pm

Just imagine the OP had the flu or the winter vomiting bug. Would his employer bully him and verbally attack him if he still went into work this sick, and spread this vomiting bug or the flu to all other employees ? as this would have all employees on the sick obviously.

I wouldn't want a sick person coming into work and spreading it around causing more of my employees to be out sick.

Chloris · 23-04-2015 7:29pm

That reminds me of the first full time job I was ever in, I was supposed to be mentored (and I didn't know this) but the boss pulled me aside and told me I was doing everything wrong, as if the fact that she hadn't given me any training or guidance was my fault. I nearly changed careers over it. I've worked in other places since and realised that I would have been mad to quit when it happened.

Just try not to let him get to you, you need to be happy in your work or what the hell is the point. You sound like you have a lot of cop on and like you're a nice person. Put up an abuse shield when he comes over and take it, then shake it off after recording it. Godspeed.

dodderangler · 08-05-2015 4:24pm

Update
Been absolute hell working for this crowd and been getting more and more depressed from working.
Lack of work in there and yet somehow they make it out that it's our fault if we don't have enough hours of productivity.
I had literally 3 hours of productivity in a day and got ears chewed off me but yet there wasn't work in so I unfortunately walked out of the job almost in tears but I had to.
Went home, got showed and printed off cv's.
Within an hour I was asked to come for interview later that day.
I start the job on Monday

Miaireland · 08-05-2015 4:33pm

dodderangler wrote: »

Update
Been absolute hell working for this crowd and been getting more and more depressed from working.
Lack of work in there and yet somehow they make it out that it's our fault if we don't have enough hours of productivity.
I had literally 3 hours of productivity in a day and got ears chewed off me but yet there wasn't work in so I unfortunately walked out of the job almost in tears but I had to.
Went home, got showed and printed off cv's.
Within an hour I was asked to come for interview later that day.
I start the job on Monday

I am delighted for you. Best of luck with the new job.

Chloris · 08-05-2015 5:30pm

dodderangler wrote:

Update Been absolute hell working for this crowd and been getting more and more depressed from working. Lack of work in there and yet somehow they make it out that it's our fault if we don't have enough hours of productivity. I had literally 3 hours of productivity in a day and got ears chewed off me but yet there wasn't work in so I unfortunately walked out of the job almost in tears but I had to. Went home, got showed and printed off cv's. Within an hour I was asked to come for interview later that day. I start the job on Monday

Absolutely delighted for ya, dude!

YurOK2 · 10-05-2015 9:13pm

Best of luck with the new job, onwards and upwards

wmpdd3 · 11-05-2015 12:58pm

OP, I'm delighted for you

I worked in loads of places like that before I qualified.

Looking back at it, you have just witnessed the worst form of manager. A person who will never succeed because they don't have the skills to do it.

When you are at the top of the food chain, you'll use the terrible experience you have had to climb even higher.

Tar.Aldarion · 11-05-2015 2:38pm

So how is it going today OP?

dodderangler · 11-05-2015 8:17pm

Thank you all for the well wishes and advice.
First day started off slow but I managed to pick it up doing several jobs and was walking out at 5 and boss asked me would I do a clutch on a car for taxi driver who needs his car tonight for work.
So reckon I got browny points for that

Only home now but a good day

Wherel · 14-06-2015 8:02pm

_Brian wrote: »

Ya know, its all fair going on about responsibilities and protections etc, bla bla..

In the past I've been the guy making this happen so I know it can be done, and with the backing of the owner its a sure thing. This is the real world, owners have huge sway in what happens in a company !

In the past I've been at the receiving end of this happening. Do you ever consider the feelings and circumstances of the person you're treating like that?

Glad to hear it all worked out ok in the end OP and I hope you've recovered from how you've been treated, its just so unfortunate that there is people within companies willing to treat others like this and there's not much can be done about it if you value your own sanity.

Cedrus · 15-06-2015 12:01am

I would never knowingly work again in a place where the owner is the manager, there are possibly exceptions, but anyplace I've been, the owner couldn't handle the pressure and lashed out at the slightest excuse.
One family enterprise was the worst of all because the brothers who owned it supported each other in their lunacy. Their cousins etc. took the piss massively and the outsider plebs took all the flak. Before I went there, it never dawned on me why I knew so many people who USED to work there. I know it's not an option for everybody but my philosophy now is "Go corporate or go it alone".

Dodder, keep a diary, keep your nose cleaner than you should need to, and read up on unfair dismissals. Or look for something else.

ComfortKid · 15-06-2015 12:21am

Not a very helpful answer, but it's a pity you couldn't of picked up a wrench and wear it off his head! Ignorant man deserves a week out sick himself! Hate bully bosses.

CruelCoin · 15-06-2015 2:06pm

dodderangler wrote: »

Basically as title says I was out sick for a week with a chest infection and gave a sick note from the doctor for it.
I was walking to get parts and met the boss. I said hi and he pulled me up being out and I sai well I Gave a doctors note and he said" I couldn't give a flying fcuk what you gave. Your costing me money and wasting my time."
Then he told me I'm a useless prîck and a waste of time and energy and I'm only a fcukin headache to him that needs to be got rid of.

Firstly, how he handled that was completely out of line no doubt about that.

But how often have you called sick, been late, etc? Unless he's a complete twat, he didn't act like that for nothing.

Anyway, i'd jump on the advice of finding a new job. There's unlikley to be any wage/position improvement for you there.

ElleEm · 15-06-2015 2:19pm

CruelCoin wrote: »

Firstly, how he handled that was completely out of line no doubt about that.

But how often have you called sick, been late, etc? Unless he's a complete twat, he didn't act like that for nothing.

Anyway, i'd jump on the advice of finding a new job. There's unlikley to be any wage/position improvement for you there.

You should probably read the whole thread.

Mrs OBumble · 15-06-2015 2:28pm

OP is now sorted, I think we'll leave it there.

Sick for week and got threatened

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