Time off work sick

[MatsyLR]

Got into a motorbike accident yesterday and my right arm is broken and bumps and bruises everywhere else.
I work for Npower as a call center agent, I need both my arms to able to type properly and do the job and I wouldn't able to sit there for any period of time without being in pain.
Going to call in sick tomorrow to tell them the situation, but I doubt they will care much at all and demand I come into work or disciplinary action will be taken. Already been of 1 day this year due to sickness (2014!!), I came into work and tried to persevere but my stomach wasn't having any of it (throwing up every 10min). They sent my home, I went to bed, I come into work the next day still not feeling well and my manager brought me into a room and basically told me, he tried to get in contact with me while I was home and couldn't (duh because I was asleep) so i'm being given a warning for being off (even though they sent me home) and if I'm off again "disciplinary action" will be taken which could lead to a meeting to sack me or not. That was a few months ago now.

Where do I stand? what can I do? I'm not in any kind of probation at all.
Going to GP tomorrow to get a sick note which they will request from me.

 

[MatsyLR]

How long have you been there out of interest?

About 11 month now (which worries me as they arn't kind under the 1 year mark)
Was already at the top pay wage of my particular job within 2 months.
Just waiting for promotion opportunities.

You on a temp or perm contract?

Perm contract.

Only thing that worries me is that they are very funny with these sorts of things.
Theres people in the building with broken legs/foot etc who still have to come, as "they can get to there desk so they can work"

 

[MatsyLR]

LOL wat?

no you haven't

<.<
I will slap you!

 

[MatsyLR]

If you are only in 11 months - you are most likely in your probationary period.

If you were in a probationary period and work could not contact you (whilst sick) at your house - then that is why you got the first disciplinary.

And if you go off sick now (again) i'm sure they probably have something in their handbook about 2 instances of sick / too many sick days in you probationnry period - whether genuine or faked. Most companies have every inventuality covered to protect themselves.

Our company expects people to come to work with broken arms / ankles / crutches etc - and the people are expected to sit at a desk and do spreadsheets/presentations for managers etc.

My probation period ended in April.
We work on a rank system. A, B, C.
You are on on A when you first join and that is when you are probation.
B is earned when you achieve your "stats" call time, customer satisfaction etc for 4 weeks straight and you are of probation then + higher pay
C is earned in the same way just more pay and more time to get it.
I'm currently on C and have been so for months.

There is literally nothing I can do at work with my arm broke other than just sit there and do nothing all day while being in pain the entire time.
We are only trained/obliged to take calls from customers and note down everything on the computers. To do that at any timely manner, I need both my hands. I could do it one handed, but it will be very slow and I would have to try to use a mouse with my non-dominant hand which doesnt work very well, and type into lots of different boxes (keyboard shortcuts dont work on the system) and would not be fair on the customers who have to sit on the line twice as long as they need too (each call is usually 20mins)..

 

[MatsyLR]

Didn't you ask for a Doctor's Certificate while you were in A&E being treated for your broken arm?

Yes, they said go to your GP to get one.

 

[MatsyLR]

You seem to be doing a great job at posting in this thread which presumably involves a keyboard and mouse or some such... Although I have no doubt your productivity and efficiency will be hampered by your injury I would be surprised if you are unable to function in any capacity... Besides, you can mention what I good employee you are so I'm sure you can probably do a better job with just one arm than some of your co-workers can with both.

Take a few painkillers and go in. Soldiering on may even help you get that promotion you are after.

This is basically contorting my body in a way which makes my arms into a "typing" position. Basically facing away from the desk so my cast arm is straight to the keyboard (can still use fingers) and bending my other arm the other way. In other words not comfortable and not something I can do for any period of time without doing my back in. If you saw what position i'm in to type this, you would laugh.

Also to the go into work reply's, I doubt I could even get to work/walk far enough to get into the building without collapsing.
Nothing else is broken, but can hardly but can barely hold my own weight with my legs (knees took a good beating) with lovely brown/black/purple patches around them.

 

[MatsyLR]

Based on this action alone I would seek a new employer. I am well aware of the Call Centre culture and I am also aware of the problems most face with crap retention and rubbish attendance numbers, but tarring all people with the same brush is not something a good business or good manager does and is one of the reasons retention is such a problem for the industry. Sadly the one style fits all is the angle many take and that will **** off people who have a genuine problem.

I've been looking since I started.
Spent 2 years on the dole after finishing uni to get this job.
Multiple interviews and nothing so far.
I know the actual company is terrible and they treat employees and customers like crap.

 

[MatsyLR]

That's what happens when you don't get a good degree

Npower sound awful to work for but you don't have any choice, there will be 1000 people waiting to take your place, welcome to 2015 UK where young people get **** all and the governments mates get richer and more richer

I actually got a 1st in Uni.
But it was in computer engineering/design.
Not exactly useful ;d or something anyone would employ over

 

[MatsyLR]

Phoned in got 7 calender days, then need a doctors note. Had a good long chat with the absence and HR team.
Probably going to get a call from my manager later on who will en quire about the situation.