Contact from employer when off sick

Jinxy · 02-09-2008, 11:50

Hi everyone, I am new to this so bear with me if I get it all wrong!!
I have worked for my company since 2004 and am rarely ill. Yesterday I could not go to work as I have an ear infection, dizzy, sick, pain the full works so my partner called the office and told them. My line manager is sending me emails and calling me while I am off. Does anyone know if this is legal? I thought you were not supposed to pressurize people off sick and it was considered harrassment. Anyone else had this happen to them?

Nugget · 02-09-2008, 12:00

I wouldn't go as far as to say that it's illegal, but I would say that it's unfair. Having said that, I suppose it would depend on what your job is, and how senior you are within the company.

At least with emails, you can ignore them - it's easy enough not to open them. With the phone, you could also ignore that, although a constantly ringing phone is a nuisance, particularly if you have an ear infection...

It's definitely worth clarifying when you return to work though.

---------- Post added at 12:00 ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 ----------

Having just read your other posts in the New Members thread, that does put a slightly different slant on it. I'd be wary about calling it harassment at this stage (particularly as none of us have any experience with the company in question), but (in my opinion) the only way forward at present is to raise it when you go back to work.

Jinxy · 02-09-2008, 12:04

thanks I will do that. I need to check the staff handbook.

**Chris** · 02-09-2008, 12:09

Are you able to say any more about your position and responsibilities in the company? What is your line manager asking you when you speak to him/her? What level of seniority does your line manager have? Are they a manager, or merely a team leader, or supervisor?

Just because one or two supervisory types within a company don't know how to behave, that doesn't necessarily indicate an unofficial policy of harassing unwelcome staff out of their jobs.

The circumstances are all important here, but it seems to me that an informal chat with this person is in order when you get back to work. If that doesn't do the trick, then a more formal approach to that person's own line manager is the next step. Precisely how you go about that within your own company should be detailed in that staff handbook you mentioned.

Jinxy · 02-09-2008, 12:24

I was employed as the Financial Controller reporting only to the Chairman and the board. The Chairman has brought this guy in as his "proxy and confidant" to oversee things in his absence. The issue here is that I have raised a grievance against the company for the Chairmans sexual molestation of me and follow on bullying and harrassment to make me leave. Therefore the situation is somewhat tense and heightened. I am sure this guys brief is to give me as much hassle as possible. He does not know or understand the first thing about my job and in my absence runs round like a headless chicken (I am told). This does not stop him constantly making digs about my competance and trying to tell me I have to do things differently. His ways will cause mistakes to occur and I am not prepared to allow that as I took over a terrible mess of 4 years chaos on the accounts. He did not say yesterday why he was calling but said to my partner "she is not there then". Today it is about telling my accounts staff what they need to be getting on with which they are more than capable of doing anyway. He has brought in a temp and does not know how to get her working on the network so I had calls about that as well. Hope thats enough background I could write a book on it!!!

WHISTLED · 02-09-2008, 12:26

Its also quite possible that rules specify that you must call in yourself and not a partner etc. Thats the case with my people. If I got a call from anyone else I would still speak to my staff member personally at some point.

Depending on how long they are off, or are going to be off for, we will also contact at inrervals... In a supportive function bviously.

Having read your update it seems unreasonable on their behalf - I would not call to clarify work issue when someone was off, other than my direct reports who would be fine with it.

02-09-2008, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Its also quite possible that rules specify that you must call in yourself and not a partner etc. Thats the case with my people. If I got a call from anyone else I would still speak to my staff member personally at some point.

Depending on how long they are off, or are going to be off for, we will also contact at inrervals... In a supportive function bviously.

Having read your update it seems unreasonable on their behalf - I would not call to clarify work issue when someone was off, other than my direct reports who would be fine with it.

"hello Mr Whistled I will not be at work today as I am in a coma and do not know when I will or if I will wake up"

Obviously there are occassions you have to let that one slip surely

**Chris** · 02-09-2008, 17:16

Thread tidied and re-opened.

WHISTLED · 02-09-2008, 17:41

Quote:

Obviously there are occassions you have to let that one slip surely

Yeah of course, being admitted to hospital either planned or unplanned would make it impossible.

Most of my reports are Managers so I would be happy with a text from them most of the time.

02-09-2008, 17:55

anyone can send a text so that hardly means its them sending it.

wigro · 02-09-2008, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by David F

"hello Mr Whistled I will not be at work today as I am in a coma and do not know when I will or if I will wake up"

lmao

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Thats the case with my people.

You pay their wages you dont own them

I know what its like to employ people though and it can be a minefield .

WHISTLED · 02-09-2008, 18:02

Agree, only my Managers - I trust them not to take the proverbial.

Hom3r · 02-09-2008, 18:04

I know how you feel, try working in avaition my boss is on call 24/7/365, even when on holiday.

Not fun.

Were I am you have to phone in, Emails & texts are a NO NO

Jinxy · 02-09-2008, 18:10

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I guess I am a bit touchy at present. I sent him an email today laying out what happened and why I personally did not call. He has backed off and I am sure it will die a death if I dont first that is!!

Druchii · 02-09-2008, 18:10

Recently been harassed about being off work as well. My employer saw me in town many hours after work would have finished on Friday. I was shopping for food, and picking a friend up form the train station (didn't know her way around to our house).
As a result, all my sick leave now has to be accompanied by a doctors note (which aren't easy to obtain, even ifv you do go to a doctor) for the next 6 months.
Also, my employer calls at any time from 7am to 10am. Never later... Messes things up royally if i want to catch a few hours more shut-eye when ill