~Working with horses and Calling in sick

Fools Motto

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Shoot me now, but I'd do anything possible to either know I had cover or if I could walk, I'd at least do the very basics.
Seemingly we are not all like that!!
45 minutes late, a 'stand in' worker finally informs me to that of a migraine, due to monthly timings. Whilst I totally understand how that can really floor some people, 9 horses are awaiting the persons attention.
Just a plea out there to all really, please let those who should know earlier if you happen to be 'floored'. That way we can plan the routine, rather than thinking something terrible has happened or leave a horse tacked up/not mucked out/lacking hay or whatever. This isn't the first time - once I can cope with, so she isn't due back anymore. I hate being bitchy, but needs must.

As you were while I recover from my 'late 30 min lunch break' and go back to continue to care for said 9 horses!! I'm tired.
 
I work by myself, for myself, the only time I ever pull a sicky and call on my daughter (who doesn't live at home) to do the horses etc is when I cannot physically get up. Twice in 6 years.

As an employee I don't think I was ever ill enough not to drag myself in and do at least the bare minimum of what HAD to be done, hangovers are hell with mucking out to be done ;) If horses/animals relied on me I would be there.

As an employer I would be suspicious of anything less than the plague with three Dr's certificates to back it up, but you can't say/do much can you? If staff don't turn up, they don't turn up and you do what you have to. :( Everyone feels like mitching every now and again, I get that, for whatever reason, but you just can't if there is no cover and animals to care for.
 
Have you ever had a migraine??? If you had, you would know it would be impossible-and unsafe- to be around horses. You are unable to see or stand up properly for starters. As someone who worked a six-day week with horses for over 8 years without having a day off sick, I consider myself very lucky to have had good health. Unfortunately some people aren't so lucky, and I know a migraine sufferer and really think you should be more understanding if someone is unfortunate enough to have a migraine and is unable to work.
 
Have you ever had a migraine??? If you had, you would know it would be impossible-and unsafe- to be around horses. You are unable to see or stand up properly for starters. As someone who worked a six-day week with horses for over 8 years without having a day off sick, I consider myself very lucky to have had good health. Unfortunately some people aren't so lucky, and I know a migraine sufferer and really think you should be more understanding if someone is unfortunate enough to have a migraine and is unable to work.

I get migraines (horrific things!), and I don't work with horses, but even at my worst I always manage to let my boss know in good time that I won't be in. That's just simple courtesy... Leaving it until 45 mins after you're due to start especially when there are animals to care for just isn't good enough and I completely understand why OP would be irritated.
 
Have you ever had a migraine??? If you had, you would know it would be impossible-and unsafe- to be around horses. You are unable to see or stand up properly for starters. As someone who worked a six-day week with horses for over 8 years without having a day off sick, I consider myself very lucky to have had good health. Unfortunately some people aren't so lucky, and I know a migraine sufferer and really think you should be more understanding if someone is unfortunate enough to have a migraine and is unable to work.

This. My sister suffers and will pass out if she tries to stand up when she has one. She seems to have inherited them from my mother, who although she doesn't suffer quite as badly or as frequently still gets laid low by them. I understand that as much notice as possible would be good, but they can come on incredibly quickly.

I'm lucky to have avoided them so far and haven't had a day off work in about 4 years - last time was when I literally couldn't leave the bathroom.

I sense there's a suspicion from you however that there's not really a migraine going on here so would agree that if you don't trust her, you shouldn't have her back.
 
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Migraines are horrid. I have been sent home from work for vomiting when I have tried to carry on working with one. I have had to stop the car to be sick when driving home with one and have mucked out carrying a bucket round with me because there was no one else to do it. I would not recommend it though. It s dangerous to drive with a migraine and I have done it when had absolutely no choice.
However, a phone call to the boss is common curtiosy
If I can't get to work I always ring asap.
 
If you are in the early stage of migraine, I know I can't always see enough to use a phone :-(

Hopefully this will be a one off.
 
Migraines can come on extremely quickly. Poor girl would have been in agony, and I imagine pretty upset if she saw this thread.

They really are debilitating things and unless someone has suffered from them then I wouldn't expect them to understand.

As an aside OP, perhaps it would have been wise of you to have a back up plan...because human beings do get sick from time to time.
 
Not saying anything at all about this particular case, but I do think it can be difficult for employers. A true migraine is totally debilitating and can easily mean you cannot stand up, phone, see, drive or lots of other things. Horrid. BUT, I do think there are people who say they have a migraine when they haven't, to get off work. As I said, not necessarily in this case but it does happen. Must make it even worse for true migraine sufferers - you all have my sympathy.
 
I work with horses, and have had to call in sick in the last year several times. I do always give plenty of notice, which is at least polite. Its bad enough if you have to be off, let alone not giving notice. For what it is worth, the woman I worked for only wanted you there if you were up to full speed, she wasn't interested if you couldn't work flat to the boards!!
 
I get migraines, and I get bad hormonal monthly headaches. They're not the sane thing.... Well not for me anyway.

Migraine... Can't see, can't stand up, can't stop vomiting, with a monster headache. I've had 3 in my life!!! Horrendous!!! The headache comes last for me. I get warning with flashing lights and have enough time to get home...

Monthly headaches... Horrible but go away with tablets and I can crack on.

Tbh some kind if backup for sick cover would be a good idea. If it's a genuine migraine I feel sorry for the girl, but I've never been ill enough to not he able to get someone to ring in for me with plenty if time!!!
 
I am a migraine sufferer, thankfully infrequent at the moment. They come on suddenly without warning. As soon as I have the visuals (a gradually expanding blind spot) I know I will be out of action for between two hours and two days. I would have no idea I was getting one until it started. It is impossible to drive as around half of my vision is obliterated. I sometimes cannot understand simple words. I cannot hold a conversation. Sometimes I lose the use of one side of my body.

I understand your frustration OP, but some migraines really make it impossible to give notice.
 
Yep, I suffer from migraines, or did. I left the UK though and they got better :)

I have worked through them. Yes it is dangerous when you are incapacitated but when you have to feed hungry animals, you have to feed them, on your knees if that's what it takes. Been there, done that, it sucks.
 
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Yep, I suffer from migraines, or did. I left the UK though and they got better :)

I have worked through them. Yes it is dangerous when you are incapacitated but when you have to feed hungry animals, you have to feed them, on your knees if that's what it takes. Been there, done that, it sucks.

But the employee doesn't HAVE to feed them....OP should have a back up plan for when staff are sick, and certainly shouldn't expect a member of staff to put themselves at risk by continuing working.
 
if they are hormonal, then surely she knows roughly when they might be coming and could warn you in advance?

From working in a pharmacy, I know that a lot of people over exaggerate their illness. A lot of people say migraine, when they really just mean a bad headache...
 
I have worked with horses for a number of years.
Last day I was really ill, I told my boss, I did morning yards, made up evening feeds/ nets etc so she just had to pop feeds in a check them.
If you have your owns horses at home like me, sometimes you have no one to rely on and no matter how bad you are you HAVE to carry on.
I have done, normally I am a fast worker, but when I am really ill I will do the minimum and not be that quick, but as long as the horses are happy it doesn't matter.
 
if they are hormonal, then surely she knows roughly when they might be coming and could warn you in advance?

From working in a pharmacy, I know that a lot of people over exaggerate their illness. A lot of people say migraine, when they really just mean a bad headache...

And a lot of people don't.

I get hormonal migraine. Some months they are there, others they aren't. Sometimes they come on during night, others day. You can't predict exactly when or if they may happen even if they are hormonal.
 
I get hormonal migraine. Some months they are there, others they aren't. Sometimes they come on during night, others day. You can't predict exactly when or if they may happen even if they are hormonal.

Exactly. I get hormone related migraines, and have ended up in hospital twice due to them. There is no rhyme or reason as to when you will get one each month, and how bad it will get.

Whilst I'm not excusing someone waiting 45 mins to call in sick, I know that when I have a migraine I still *try* to get into work and have on more than one occasion ended up calling my boss at the time I'm actually meant to be there, having tried and failed to leave the house numerous times, usually because I've had to rush back into the house to be sick. Migraines are hideous things, completely debilitating and non-suffers just think you have a bit of a headache..
 
Exactly. I get hormone related migraines, and have ended up in hospital twice due to them. There is no rhyme or reason as to when you will get one each month, and how bad it will get.

Whilst I'm not excusing someone waiting 45 mins to call in sick, I know that when I have a migraine I still *try* to get into work and have on more than one occasion ended up calling my boss at the time I'm actually meant to be there, having tried and failed to leave the house numerous times, usually because I've had to rush back into the house to be sick. Migraines are hideous things, completely debilitating and non-suffers just think you have a bit of a headache..

Absolutely. I have done it numerous times over the years, where I have tried my best to start work, and ended up having to call my boss half an hour into the shift to say I just can't continue.

It's those who try to impose the 'people should go into work ill or not' mentality on others that actually make people feel guilty enough to try to get to work, only to fail when they just can't continue. If people felt comfortable enough to just say they aren't coming in at all, then there probably would be a lot more who ring in well within time before the start of their shift.

I don't disagree with those saying there are people out there who take the mick though - of course there are.
 
Just pushing the employees side: the thing is as an employee you are not as self involved in the business. I run my own business and i've worked on my honeymoon, with a broken arm, when my mum was in hospital. I do that because its growing my own business. I wouldn't expect an employee to care as much about my business as I do.

If the employee is reliable and does their job well the rest of the time, then i'd give them a break. There are always going to be days your employee can't make it in unexpectedly and as an employer its your job to have a 'plan b' and cover the issue. I wouldn't expect an employee who is completely incapacitated to make it in. The same situation would arise if their parent was suddenly ill or died. Its always going to happen. If the employee is a good employee who works well the rest of the time i'd give them a break.
 
Yep, I suffer from migraines, or did. I left the UK though and they got better :)

I have worked through them. Yes it is dangerous when you are incapacitated but when you have to feed hungry animals, you have to feed them, on your knees if that's what it takes. Been there, done that, it sucks.

Oh yeah. I have to do that because I am the only one who works here. A few years ago I got the flu that turned into pleurisy and then pneumonia with a temperature of 105. I remember collapsing in the snow after trying to break the ice on the water troughs and luckily being spotted by my neighbours. Nowadays I have to work through my migraines, trying to muck out stables when I can't see the pooh. but I think it's different if you are an employee as opposed to a business owner with no back up and horses will suffer if you don't force yourself through it.
 
Have you ever had a migraine??? If you had, you would know it would be impossible-and unsafe- to be around horses. You are unable to see or stand up properly for starters. As someone who worked a six-day week with horses for over 8 years without having a day off sick, I consider myself very lucky to have had good health. Unfortunately some people aren't so lucky, and I know a migraine sufferer and really think you should be more understanding if someone is unfortunate enough to have a migraine and is unable to work.

This and I will add when I'm 'floored' with a migraine I cannot use my phone, cope with nose etc. if I don't get the 20 minute aura warming to get in a dark room quickly then it appears and I'm out of it
 
I am a migraine sufferer, thankfully infrequent at the moment. They come on suddenly without warning. As soon as I have the visuals (a gradually expanding blind spot) I know I will be out of action for between two hours and two days. I would have no idea I was getting one until it started. It is impossible to drive as around half of my vision is obliterated. I sometimes cannot understand simple words. I cannot hold a conversation. Sometimes I lose the use of one side of my body.

I understand your frustration OP, but some migraines really make it impossible to give notice.


This exactly. And I have a friend who gets them and literally cannot speak. She says all the wrong words and its the same when she tries to write them down or text. She has rung me up before and I've thought she was drunk!
 
It's those who try to impose the 'people should go into work ill or not' mentality on others that actually make people feel guilty enough to try to get to work, only to fail when they just can't continue. If people felt comfortable enough to just say they aren't coming in at all, then there probably would be a lot more who ring in well within time before the start of their shift.

This, and how would the OP had felt if the employee had tried to drive in with a migraine and been involved in an accident? I once left my car at the yard, was taken home as I was unfit to drive, someone else drove my car home, the migraine continued into the next day and I walked to the yard, having walked past my car, as I just did not see it!
 
Migraines can come on extremely quickly. Poor girl would have been in agony, and I imagine pretty upset if she saw this thread.

They really are debilitating things and unless someone has suffered from them then I wouldn't expect them to understand.

As an aside OP, perhaps it would have been wise of you to have a back up plan...because human beings do get sick from time to time.

Indeed!

What would have happened to the horses if the poor girl had been involved in a car accident and taken to hospital by air ambulance? I doubt that phoning her employer would have been a priority in that case but the horses would still have been waiting.
 
My helper called in sick once knowing that I was at home with a fractured sternum and badly fractured arm having had surgery and a cast from my fingers to my shoulder…. yep somehow I managed to cover for her slight illness and managed to somehow feed, put them out, muck out etc…. all 7 of them !!!!

I would never call in sick and leave animals unattended or someone else in the lurch unless i was on my death bed….. and then strange thing is just reading above post- when my mum was killed suddenly in a car accident all i could think about was phoning her work to let them know she wouldn't be in the next day…. funny what you do actually make your priority in extreme circumstances.

also once a flight home was cancelled due to fog and I was supposed to be at work at 7.30 the following morning….. I was stuck abroad and going frantic trying to let my work know I wasn't going to make it and getting somebody to cover my shift…. not easy to do in the early hours of the morning but I managed it and all the animals were fine.
 
My helper called in sick once knowing that I was at home with a fractured sternum and badly fractured arm having had surgery and a cast from my fingers to my shoulder…. yep somehow I managed to cover for her slight illness and managed to somehow feed, put them out, muck out etc…. all 7 of them !!!!

I would never call in sick and leave animals unattended or someone else in the lurch unless i was on my death bed….. and then strange thing is just reading above post- when my mum was killed suddenly in a car accident all i could think about was phoning her work to let them know she wouldn't be in the next day…. funny what you do actually make your priority in extreme circumstances.

also once a flight home was cancelled due to fog and I was supposed to be at work at 7.30 the following morning….. I was stuck abroad and going frantic trying to let my work know I wasn't going to make it and getting somebody to cover my shift…. not easy to do in the early hours of the morning but I managed it and all the animals were fine.

Well I suppose we all have different priorities. Personally, if something (god forbid) like that happened to anyone I loved I most certainly wouldn't make it my priority to be phoning their employer.
 
Have read replies, and do appreciate all angles of peoples views. I am the cover! The other co-worker who is just totally brilliant (and much missed!) is away on a genuine deserved holiday. Without this new extra person, there is just too much for one to do it all, especially if the planned day went bums up and had to be re-jiggled. I personally didn't ''buy'' this excuse literally, as she had previously excused herself last week for something that didn't tally up. As grateful as I was for her agreeing to help out, if her attitude wasn't in it, then as far as I can see, I did what she wanted me to do. It is much harder chasing after someone! I've never called in sick, been given time off to recover from sickness though, but can't understand how you can when you are relied upon and know it.
Equally I apologise if my post offends anyone, particularly those who suffer from migraines.
 
I get migraines occasionally, usually I get visual disturbance and I would not class my self as fit to drive and I would hate to injure anyone with a car. If you are lucky you get an aura a few minutes before they start properly and I can take tablets and if I lie down straight away they might just last an hour or so without vomiting. If I am out shopping when they start I go an lie in the car until it finishes. So in my case you are lucky you got 45 minutes warning.
When I was pregnant with my first child I had them every day for a week, I suppose caused by hormones. I was completely wretched, they would come on at odd times and a shopping trip would be a nightmare not knowing whether I would be out for an hour or four, oh and the vomiting when there is nothing in your stomach to bring up and your sides hurt.
I have not had one since last summer, the thought of one fill me with dread. A headache I can work through, a migraine and you can have a multiple symptoms, from loss of sensation and pins and needles in you hands and face, blurred vision, lack of coordination, slurred speech, the banging headache is just a side issue.
As an employer I would never want to knowing to have a employee that is unfit for work. Getting insurance for employees working with horses is costly and injuries from horses can be serious. Annoying as it is the horses would not suffer from one day in a pooey bed and putting hay and water in doesn't take that long if you throw the hay over the door. I would have just turned them out and like Scarlet O'Hara think about that later, but I am the sort of person that I had no electric for seven hours today, the car broke down and I had to wait two and a half hours, but its been a lovely day, nothing died not even the sheep, so its not been that bad.
 
Have read replies, and do appreciate all angles of peoples views. I am the cover! The other co-worker who is just totally brilliant (and much missed!) is away on a genuine deserved holiday. Without this new extra person, there is just too much for one to do it all, especially if the planned day went bums up and had to be re-jiggled. I personally didn't ''buy'' this excuse literally, as she had previously excused herself last week for something that didn't tally up. As grateful as I was for her agreeing to help out, if her attitude wasn't in it, then as far as I can see, I did what she wanted me to do. It is much harder chasing after someone! I've never called in sick, been given time off to recover from sickness though, but can't understand how you can when you are relied upon and know it.
Equally I apologise if my post offends anyone, particularly those who suffer from migraines.

Big difference between employee and business owner, at the end of the day you have your health and if you don't look after yourself, your employer certainly wont - they will replace you with someone healthier so dragging yourself out when you should be recovering is not always wise. I do drag myself into work and have had maybe a handful of sick days in my 14 years of working but I would not put my health or others for that case at risk if it was serious. If an employer cannot afford to pay for sufficient staff perhaps they need to look at the viability of their business. Its not the employees fault if staff levels are insufficient and Im sure they are not paid extra to cover this.
 
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