~Working with horses and Calling in sick

[fatpiggy]

Firstly not my horses. I'm head girl, so I'm not even 'boss', but did discuss with said boss about this lady, who had done 5 days covering 4 ish hours each time. Frankly she was hard work, and no matter how many times I asked her to do something like 'that', I still did it myself! She was very sweet, but not cut out for the stand in role that I thought she could have done. She had also previously let me know, somewhat delayed that she couldn't come in due to politicising her horse. Yup, sure may mean a delay, but not a no show!!
I'm sorry I'm discussing her on here, but I'm just getting my point across, and also watching other peoples' experiences and thoughts on the matter. She is a lovely lady, whom I'm sure if she did happen to read this, then would take it all on board and perhaps if there were to be a next time, then would understand how 'we' work, and what to expect.
But, going back to my first point, it was the fact that I had to wait a good 45 mins to hear from her, then it was via text. I sensed no real apology from it either. I also know that her family would have phoned if it was a genuine migraine.
Anyway, that's life, now onwards...

She's a stand-in, not a new colleague and you may never see her again so why are you making so much fuss? Because you had to do some more work? Oh dear, isn't life a bitch? I work in a team of 5 and recently one was on leave and the others all had to call in as no-shows for various reasons. That left me manning all the phones, dealing with files I had no background knowledge in, working my lunch break and an extra hour after work (for free, they don't pay overtime here), fending off grumpy academics who wanted their questions answered within the next hour and generally working my socks off to keep everyone happy. My late departure meant I couldn't do what I had planned to do when I finally got home so my evenin was spoiled too. But it was just one of those things and you have to bite the bullet and get on with it. Clearly you have absolutely no idea how awful a migraine can be too. My friend's boyfriend was admitted to hospital because they thought he'd had a stroke. He was in agony and couldn't stand up because his balance was gone and he couldn't feel his legs anyway. I get focal migraines and can't see properly for about 15 minutes. I also get cluster headaches and they can come on like a switch has been flicked. A colleague of mine suffers terribly with her migraines - several of us have had to take her home a few times. No treatment has ever helped her very much. She's a single mother with two little girls and no family to help her since they live in the Ukraine.

I'd love to hear the other side of this story. It wouldn't surprise me if the stand-in would complain that you weren't friendly, treated her like a paid servant and patronised her.

 

[Tnavas]

I finally found what triggers mine after years and years of problems with migraine. With me it is the weather. If a big low front is coming over then that was virtually guaranteed to bring one on. So it was the change from high to low pressure. I am on daily medication now which pretty much has rid me of them but I still occasionally get a run of them. At least it is only once every three months or so now rather than every single time there was a weather change.

Mine started and were triggered by my Asthma inhaler - I'd never had a migraine until in my 50's, I had a particularly persistent cough and used my inhaler several times over a couple of hours when I started feeling unwell. By the time I got home I had a full blown migraine - my head felt like it was in a vice and seemed to be working overtime on trying to work out how to stop me feeling so ill - I couldn't move, drink or eat for around 6 hours and the pain - I normally have a high pain tolerance - but not for this!

With the second Migraine I clicked as to the cause and have changed my inhaler. Since then thankfully I've only had a couple more and always too late to get to the pharmacy to get Migraine medication - so I just hole up in the dark and try to die quietly!

 

[Echo24]

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.

This ^^ Exactly this happened to my OH and his migraines are brought on slowly but he actually loses his vision and can't see. But OP I think your employee sounds like she is pulling a fast one and it is always best to give as much notice as possible to your employer as common courtesy.

 

[Moomin1]

I'm sorry I'm discussing her on here, but I'm just getting my point across, and also watching other peoples' experiences and thoughts on the matter. She is a lovely lady, whom I'm sure if she did happen to read this, then would take it all on board and perhaps if there were to be a next time, then would understand how 'we' work, and what to expect.
But, going back to my first point, it was the fact that I had to wait a good 45 mins to hear from her, then it was via text. I sensed no real apology from it either. I also know that her family would have phoned if it was a genuine migraine.
Anyway, that's life, now onwards...

Yes, perhaps next time she will have the good sense and morals not to selfishly be crippled with migraine and think more of poor you who clearly suffered more than her by having to work harder. Some people, eh?

As for your last sentence - I'd be inclined not to remotely apologise to you aswell, given your attitude.

 

[EmmasMummy]

I'm pretty sure there was a thread on here a while back, were the OP said they couldn't go in to X reason and everyone pounced on them for letting their employer down and how they all had to be AT DEATHS DOOR before they would call in sick.

Just saying.

Only ever had 1 migraine......was a bitch to drive home with and it thankfully came on at end of work day. Had a boss who had to lie still in a very cold dark room to help hers - along with some insanely powerful drugs from her docs. She always called/texted/emailed on time though to say if she had an attack as she would have warning before hand.

 

[Ibblebibble]

the joys of being 'head girl' or a manager of any description is that you generally get called upon to do extra if someone is off ill, if that means a 12 hour day then so be it. you say she was not up to the job anyway and you were having to go back and redo her work, she was probably well aware of how you felt and rightly or wrongly didn't feel in urgent need to tell you she was ill.It often happens when employees are made to feel incompetent, they give up trying to please and say s0d you, do it yourself!!

 

[blitznbobs]

As a Doctor who sees people who are too scared to take time off as they may lose their job/ never hear the end of it from their bosses etc etc I despair of this attitude. Someone with a migraine is a liability with horses ...

No wonder we have so many people asking for sick notes on day one.... Next time you can't get an appointment at your GPs think about this ...

 

[misskk88]

OP- I wrote a whole long thread to you about you/your employers responsibilities towards an employee and subsequently deleted it!

Essentially if you want to sack her on grounds of capability- that is a separate matter from your original reason and post and you legally have a responsibility to ensure you follow the processes put in place by legislation i.e you need to give guidance and support, give warnings, and a final warning before you can dimiss someone for their capabilities to fulfill the role. Even during any probations and 'trials' (possible if she has only done 5 shifts, but that purely depends on any agreements and contracts between employer and employee) you have a responsibility towards that, although maybe not to the same extent. Be aware the employee still has a right to a notice period and to appeal your decision. http://www.firstpracticemanagement.co.uk/index.php/article/performance_issues

You also cannot be deemed to 'fairly dimiss' someone for calling in sick, and there is strict employment law in place to protect both the employee and employer. As the employer, you have a right to ensure that you act reasonably and fairly. In the explanations you have given, you have not done so and you could open yourselves up to a case from your ex employee for 'unfair dismissal'. The lack of understanding of some illnesses (in this case migraines), would put you in an extremely bad light in any employment tribunal and if this was presented, you have made a rod for your own back here!

I would suggest you take a read at https://www.gov.uk/dismissal/overview

I would get sucked into the argument of being off work ill etc, but I am so shocked at some peoples ignorance towards certain illness and disabilities that I am left speechless!

ETA- if she is a temp or agency worker, you may want to read up on their rights too, which may put a different slant on the situation, but there is still clear employment law to consider!