Hello Mumsnet, help please =[
I work part time in a restaurant, have been there since May. Over the last few months I have had numerous bugs (tummy bugs, flu, etc) which have meant having a lot of days off (roughly getting ill every 2-3 weeks which is ridiculous I know) especially for a part-timer and obviously my employers are becoming concerned and pretty annoyed with it.
Have had blood tests done by the doctor which found no underlying cause, currently on antibiotics and the Dr has said next step would be a chest xray. Have started taking all sorts of multivitamins etc. to try and keep my energy up, but now every time I get something it knocks me down worse than the last one did and I'm now exhausted and it is increasing anxiety issues which I also have.
I'm now worried that 'the next one will be the last straw' although my boss has made no mention of firing me, she has cut my shifts to the point that I no longer earn enough to qualify for childcare tax credits etc. and I'm sure letting me go would be the next step.
I enjoy my job and firmly believe that if you can and are able to, you should work. Having a job and being there (when I'm well) help me a lot as it gives me another avenue for my mind (I find my anxiety is not as bad when I am working, or during a week when I am well and at work). However if I am let go for absenteeism I think I will struggle to find another job and frankly wouldn't see the point if I continue to get ill a lot.
My partner thinks I should quit rather than wait to get fired which I really don't want to do.
I'm wondering what my rights are in terms of work letting me go for illness - I think it's fair to say I am not much use to them like this, and that they're within thier rights to fire me, but should they also be looking at ways to help me stay? The food industry doesn't mix well with ill people...
And also what help there may be should I be let go, I feel like I don't qualify as being 'too ill to work' and therefore not covered by whatever benefits may apply, since i don't know what the causes are I'm just getting a lot of basic bugs and can't seem to fight them off. But if i am let go because of illness-related absences or continue to be ill while unemployed does that make me a worthy recipeint of such benefits? Frankly would feel pretty silly claiming them when they can better go to people who have real work health issues but we would struggle without my wage (although it's much less already does to being off so much) and would have to look at all other possibilities.
I don't think many bosses would be as lenient as mine already has with this....
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Rights as to work and illness - this is really long sorry.
5 replies
mmmerangue · 24/11/2012 11:33
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