work sick...

Nightglow · 5 Jul 2012 at 08:36

I remember my first job been there about two weeks, went down with measles, had a couple of weeks off, was back for four weeks then I caught chicken pox again, another two weeks off.
Back for about eight weeks then I got glandular fever, & a secondary infection of the nervous system off for eight months or so.
My boss thought I was pulling a fast one, so he paid me a surprise home visit, poor sod caught glandular fever as well, he was off work for weeks.
Stay with that job for three years before moving on, had a seven year run after that without any other time off for illness.

postbox · 5 Jul 2012 at 08:47

In 11 years of working I have only had to take 2 weeks off in one go as I broke both bones in my leg (open fracture), even though I had to learn how to walk again, I still managed to make it up the 4 flights of stairs to work every morning by basically taking each step whilst sitting down. I remember my triceps getting a good workout and being at work was miles better than sitting like a vegetable at home. I'm extremly lucky when it comes to colds / being ill and ehilst it does annoy me that some people bend the rules more than others, I'd take being healthy anyday. Who actually has a decent days skive off work anyway?

MooMoo444 · 5 Jul 2012 at 08:49

Surely if you're sick, getting a disciplinary is rather unfair.

Especially if you work with food or whatever. Do they expect you to come in when you've got the trots, or something contageous just so you don't get disciplinary?

postbox · 5 Jul 2012 at 08:57

MooMoo444 said:
Surely if you're sick, getting a disciplinary is rather unfair.

Especially if you work with food or whatever. Do they expect you to come in when you've got the trots, or something contageous just so you don't get disciplinary?

Depends on the nature of the illness and how long / frequent it is. You can self certify your sickness for up to a week these days which should be long enough for most food poisoning cases - You'd be more up for a disciplinary if you didn't tell anyone you had something like this in the food industry tbh.

godinman · 5 Jul 2012 at 08:58

I've had 2 days off this year, my bottom was explosively and uncontrollably expelling liquid faecal matter, far from an ideal situation.

TJM · 5 Jul 2012 at 09:11

'Harry said:
So, not washing your hands after having a leak is filthy, yet you'd happily share your cold with everyone?

That's something I hate about offices. I just finished a study break and came back to find several people coughing and spluttering in my floor of about 30. I haven't been ill at all since I left, but it's only a matter of time now.

MooMoo444 · 5 Jul 2012 at 09:41

Speaking of not washing hands in the john at work, it's funny when you're sat there enjoying your number two, and you hear other people entering and leaving after their number ones, and you don't hear the sink/dryer in use ever.

I always use a bit of tissue on the toilet door handle =D

Jimz · 5 Jul 2012 at 13:45

Wow, some people here....

If anyone hasn't had a sick day in over a year should just call in sick anyway and get some free days off. Why don't you do that? Do you all really like working so much they you have to go into work every single day of the year?

I cant believe I'm reading on here that for some of you its been YEARS without taken 1 single sick day, do you not get paid for them or something? I really don't understand it. All you have to do is call in and say you have a very bad headache and you have 1-2 days off for FREE... It nice to have a day off now and again.

bignev72 · 5 Jul 2012 at 13:51

I think i've had three sick days since I got a job at 13 which is about 15 years ago. So yeah you all suck

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 5 Jul 2012 at 14:01

When I was in retail (2-4yrs), easily would be 10-15 days a year.

Now in IT.. 7months and only 1 day when I had what im fairly sure was the black death.

Jordw · 5 Jul 2012 at 14:23

I've probably been going around 3 years without a sick day now. I don't really get ill enough to justify taking it off.

postbox · 5 Jul 2012 at 14:25

Jimz said:
Wow, some people here....

If anyone hasn't had a sick day in over a year should just call in sick anyway and get some free days off. Why don't you do that? Do you all really like working so much they you have to go into work every single day of the year?

I cant believe I'm reading on here that for some of you its been YEARS without taken 1 single sick day, do you not get paid for them or something? I really don't understand it. All you have to do is call in and say you have a very bad headache and you have 1-2 days off for FREE... It nice to have a day off now and again.

Erm perhaps becasue some people don't like lying? Because people take pride in their job, have responsibilities, don't want to let their team down.
I personally would have the work waiting for me to do if I only took a day off or 2 off anyway, so may as well you know....come in and work it. I really hope you are joking by the way, millions are wasted on people like you.

bignev72 · 5 Jul 2012 at 14:28

Some people see sick days as an "entitlement" and make sure they use their "allowance" each year.

If you're sick then thats fair enough but don't take the mick!

Voodle · 5 Jul 2012 at 17:10

I've been at this company for 3 years and don't have paid sick leave, subsequently if I get a cold I share it

No sick days for me.

Mason- · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:48

I didn't have a day off ill in secondary school.

However when I went to sixth form and I had late starts sometimes I went off sick as you didn't need a parent to call in for you.

University, well of course I go to every lecture

Barbie · 5 Jul 2012 at 19:00

Can't remember the last time i was ill enough not to go to work. Had a day off when the missus was taken to hostipal, and was sent home halfway through a shift when i was sick in the canteen, but that's it.

Lopéz · 5 Jul 2012 at 20:51

ilcp said:
so S is the absence of AN individual? what does that mean? how many times my colleague has been sick over the same period

AN individual being the person who is sick. What else would it mean, the explanation is very clear:

The Bradford Factor is calculated as follows:

B = S squared x D

where:
B is the Bradford Factor score
S is the total number of spells (instances) of absence of an individual over a set period
D is the total number of days of absence of that individual over the same set period

So, for example you are off sick 4 different times in the space of a year, in total you have 19 days sick.
B = S Squared x D
S is 4
4 squared is 16
D is 19
16 x 19 = 304

Your Bradford factor is 304.

I can't see where you got anything about colleagues from :confused:

Lopéz · 5 Jul 2012 at 20:53

Jimz said:
Wow, some people here....

If anyone hasn't had a sick day in over a year should just call in sick anyway and get some free days off. Why don't you do that? Do you all really like working so much they you have to go into work every single day of the year?

I cant believe I'm reading on here that for some of you its been YEARS without taken 1 single sick day, do you not get paid for them or something? I really don't understand it. All you have to do is call in and say you have a very bad headache and you have 1-2 days off for FREE... It nice to have a day off now and again.

1) Because I'm not a liar
2) Because my team and the wider business would suffer unnecessarily if I took days off when I felt like it

memyselfandi · 5 Jul 2012 at 21:46

Lopéz said:
1) Because I'm not a liar
2) Because my team and the wider business would suffer unnecessarily if I took days off when I felt like it

3) It just means I'm going to have to be insanely busy to catch up with all the stuff I should have done while I was off.

I tend to work from home if I'm feeling unwell. I probably not be as productive as normal but I'll get stuff done and not be spreading germs around work ...

RetiredGreyFox · 5 Jul 2012 at 21:58

Jimz said:
Wow, some people here....

If anyone hasn't had a sick day in over a year should just call in sick anyway and get some free days off. Why don't you do that? Do you all really like working so much they you have to go into work every single day of the year?

I cant believe I'm reading on here that for some of you its been YEARS without taken 1 single sick day, do you not get paid for them or something? I really don't understand it. All you have to do is call in and say you have a very bad headache and you have 1-2 days off for FREE... It nice to have a day off now and again.

You must think I'm really sad not taking a sick day in nearly 24 years but the fact is I've never NEEDED to.
I enjoy going to work and I feel that 5pm Friday to 8:30am Monday is loads of time to have off plus my evenings.
Touch wood I've never been sick enough to warrant having days off and even if I was I'd feel guilty.
I know at 54 it is inevitable that something will happen and the chances of me retiring without sickness will be virtually impossible.
I'll just add that I started working when I was 16 and I was a regular 4 day weeker until I was about 30, hell, I'd even have a week off for a broken flask so I've been there with your attitude and I can't criticise you for it otherwise I'd be a hypocrite.
I had a life changing experience in 1988 that totally changed my outlook on life and I've been very lucky not to be ill.