Sick days

[tombeloro]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can please offer me some advice on where I stand on the below issue:

I've been with my current employer for just over 4 years, in that time I've had 3 days due to illness (last of which was in 2012). For the last couple of weeks I've been suffering from really bad stomach pains/cramps. Anyway last night/this morning the pain became unbearable and I called in sick so i could go and see my GP. When I called in my manager wasn't in so but I managed to speak to her reporting manager, and all was fine. At about 10am I got a call from my manager requesting I come in, reason behind this was there were certain tasks/jobs which needed doing and only I knew what/how to do. I refused on the basis that I was in too much discomfort to even stand let alone go into the office and do work! I have since received a pretty strongly worded email demanding I go into work tomorrow and 'take it from there'!

Now it was to my understanding that everyone was entitled to 5 sick days per year. My fear if i do not turn up to work tomorrow then some sort of disciplinary action is taken against me! Considering I've only been off sick 3 times in over 4 years I think it's a harsh to say the least. Should i respond to the email?

Thanks

Tom

[vanman]

Re: Sick days

harsh it certainly is if you are not fit for work don't go in.
considering the amount of time you have been off sick over the years if they were to take any sort of disciplinary action it will be unfair and unjust.
Employees only need a fit note from a doctor after 7 days off work sick.
https://www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave
have you seen the GP if not get a doctor’s sick note’ They can charge a fee if a fit note is asked for before the 7th day.

if it go's tit's up
Appealing your employers decision

If you feel the disciplinary action taken against you is wrong or unjust you can appeal against the decision.
You need to write to your employer and tell them that you are appealing their decision, explaining why you don't agree with it.
Your employer should arrange a further meeting to discuss your appeal.

Appeals should be heard without unreasonable delay.
Wherever possible, your employer should make sure the appeal is dealt with by a manager who has not previously been involved in the case.

The appeal hearing is run similarly to the original meeting, and you have a right to bring a companion, as before.
You should make sure you take notes at the appeal meeting. After the appeal meeting, your employer should write to you to tell you their final decision.
http://www.findlaw.co.uk/law/employm...work/8483.html

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Sick days

Now it was to my understanding that everyone was entitled to 5 sick days per year. My fear if i do not turn up to work tomorrow then some sort of disciplinary action is taken against me! Considering I've only been off sick 3 times in over 4 years I think it's a harsh to say the least. Should i respond to the email?

Thanks

Tom

The above sounds like it may be your company's paid sick leave policy, which some companies adopt, i.e. paying only 5 days sick leave per year, some would pay more with a doctor's note, otherwise you'd just receive statutory sick pay.

You can self-certify your sickness for up to 7 days, after that you'd need a doctor's note. If a doctor signs you off, you can be off sick for much longer, but you may not be entitled to full pay during that period, depending on your company's policy.

You should respond to the email stating your reasons for being absent from work.

[teaboy2]

Re: Sick days

Sounds like your manager has committed an act of bullying/harassment against you (Making demands of you knowing your sick and have enacted you right to time off and followed procedure to inform work. Sending threatening email as well - DO NOT delete it). Can you please give us an update on how the issue has progressed.

Depending on what you tell us next, you may have grounds to issue a grievance against your manager.