Calling in sick for work

[Mickey'snewestfan]

If you work in a field where someone needs to cover for you, what's your procedure for calling in sick to work and what, if any, are the consequences if you don't follow it.

My policy for the people I supervise is that you call my cellphone or send me a text as soon as you know. Unless it's something unforseeable, like your car breaks down, or the subway gets stuck, or your kid throws up on the way to school, I'd like to know an hour before your shift begins.

Several of the people who work for me don't seem to grasp this concept. They call the front desk at work (where I don't get the message until I arrive which may be after your scheduled arrival), or they send me an email (which I don't get because I'm getting my kid out the door, and commuting myself), or they tell someone else and ask them to tell me

For the record, I've never gotten mad at someone or made them feel bad for asking off. The people who do follow the system often use texts and my response is usually something like "Oh no, I hope you feel better soon. Take care of yourself! Thanks for letting me know." I don't think that's particularly harsh.

So, am I being unreasonable?

 

[hulagirl87]

Right now I'm a stay at home mom, but where I worked last year, we had to directly talk to someone, whether it be my supervisor, or if she was not there/at her desk, then someone else higher up in our department. We could not leave a voicemail or email.

I can understand why they would not want to talk directly to you as it is much easier to avoid any type of confrontation of be made to feel bad about being sick (whether you actually are or not ). much easier to type out an email than to talk to an actual person. if you aren't sick you don't have to worry about "sounding" sick.

I felt guilty calling in. I never called in unless I was on death's door, but still was always made to feel like I was a horrible person for not coming in for my shift. I didn't like being made to feel that way. It sounds like you are not like that though which is good

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

The majority of people who do follow the rules text me rather than calling, so there's no more confrontation than there would be by email.

 

[disneychrista]

Our generally policy is that you call your supervisor, at any/all numbers provided, and speak directly to them. A message does not count.

 

[kamik86]

For my husband who works retail they just have to call the store. The official policy is 3 hours before your shift but obviously for those that open that doesn't happen since even if people are at the store they don't answer phones until the store opens and most of the time messages aren't check until after that.

My job doesn't require that anyone be there to cover for me and there is still a policy that if I"m not going to be there I have to let my manager know (although email is fine for us because if they don't get it until they get there its ok)

 

[C.Ann]

I always spoke to my supervisor via telephone (or the doctor I worked for) well ahead of time.. I was never comfortable with messages, emails, or anything else.. Didn't want to take a chance on anything getting lost in the shuffle.. Never had a problem..

And no, I don't think you're being unreasonable..

 

[Pluto 2]

calloff at least an hour ahead of time to the security guard. if you do not call off or call off with under an hour you are put on 6 months probation. if anything happens in them 6 months you are automatically fired. be a minute late your fired etc.

 

[tvguy]

My company prefers 8 hours notice. Most folks respect that.....we kind of self police....... because we ALL hate getting a phone call at 2 am saying we need you at work NOW. Actually, most often we end up coming to work, and having the boss send us home. Just the nature of our business.

 

[aprilgail2]

We have to call in an hour before the start of your shift to a central number- they in turn let your work location know.

 

[Pluto 2]

We have to call in an hour before the start of your shift to a central number- they in turn let your work location know.

this is the professional way to do it not by a text or to a cell phone

 

[MIGrandma]

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all.

I absolutely hated calling in sick when I worked as a waitress. The owner didn't care if you were on your death bed, it was obvious that it was an inconvenience to HER if she had to find someone to cover for you.

I went in sick many times, but if I had a bad cold and couldn't drug up enough to mask the symptoms, and if I was coughing up a lung I would call. Most times I would call around and try to find someone to cover my shift myself, so I didn't have to "bother" the boss with it. But sometimes I was just too sick to make a bunch of calls so I did call her.

I particularly remember having a herniated disk and the doctor told me to take 2 weeks off from work. When I called to tell her (as I was scheduled to work that night) she just sighed and said "okay" in a not-so-nice tone. No, "sorry you're in pain", or "hope you get better." Nothing of that nature. Just an inconvenience to her.

 

[cocodog]

My employees must call (as in no text) in to either me or their direct supervisor within 15 minutes of their ssheduled start time. If not, they could be disciplined.

 

[disneychrista]

this is the professional way to do it not by a text or to a cell phone

I agree about the texting but not the cell phone. It really depends on how big of a business it is. I manage a small bar, most times my cell phone is the only way to get a hold of me. They could call the bar and leave a message but I may not get it until too late, especially if I don't come in that day. So calling my cell phone is the only to notify me so I can try to cover your shift or be alerted that I have to come in to cover the shift.

 

[Nolcrest]

We need to call in by a specific time and speak directly w/someone. No texts.

 

[LJC1861]

At our group home the direct care staff must call in to the 'on call ' administrator at least 3 hours prior to the start of their shirt. If it is a first shift (6 a.m.-9 a.m.) call out they should call the night before. After 5 years at this agency it still amazes me how many of our staff do not realize they are sick until it is time to start their shift...LOL!

For administrative personnel, where immediate coverage is not necessary we call our immediate supervisor either on their cell phone or office. In my case, my supervisor ALWAYS calls me back to let me know she got the message.

 

[Pig Pen]

So I am picturing myself trying to find someone's cell number and texting when I am throwing up, or in bed with the flu, or suffering a migraine. If I am too sick to work, I will ask my DH to call because I am most likely unable to function!

I understand why you may want to know directly, but I would then worry if the text went through, if you got the message, if I am in trouble for some reason, etc.

I have no idea what your policies are for coverage but talking with someone directly at the front desk is the best way to go IMO and then have THEM contact you. Are you expected to arrange coverage in the hour's lead time they provide you? That seems unrealistic (and unfair) if you are commuting yourself!

I was a good manager at one point, but HATED supervision so I got out of it. I feel for you!

 

[Keli]

Work in a very small office and there is no official policy but we all know we need to let the boss know as soon as we can.
We do the same as you do, call the boss' cell or text him. If he doesn't respond fairly quickly I always send another text. But he's good about texting back an 'ok' (man of few words, lol)

 

[lspst8]

No one has to cover for me at my job, but when I call off, I call my direct supervisor and either speak to her or leave a message on voice mail. I call the office number. I do not have her cell or home number. If I leave a message, I always leave my cell number just in case she has to get a hold of me.

At my last job, you had to talk directly to a supervisor even if it wasn't your direct supervisor and you couldn't leave a message. Again, we called in directly to work. I never had my supervisor's cell or home number.

 

[PatsGirl]

Except for the 7 am shift, a three-hour window is required with a few exceptions but all calls must be made by the employee (not their grandmother/husband, etc) to their immediately supervisor. Although I've never heard of anyone being disciplined by calling late, I have heard the tongue-lashing Calling out is rampant where I work and about 20% of the employees are currently in the discipline process (5 or more call outs in a rolling 12 month period). I am shop steward and have a difficult time "defending" alot of my peers who just don't get that you are expected to come to work ON TIME unless you are truly sick. Personally, if you don't call out sick in a few months, I have no problem with a "mental health day" but most are dealing with hangovers, kids with sniffles and no back up plan, school called off and no back up plan, the sun is out and the beach looks good

 

[mickeymedic]

At my last 2 jobs we were required to call and speak to a supervisor at least 2 hours prior to our start of shift. We were expected to speak to a live person, not leave a message.

At my current 2 jobs, one requires 3 hours notice and the other requires 5 hours notice - which pretty much means I'm not calling in sick. 5 hours notice is really not practical when the shift starts at 7am. If I don't feel well in the evening, I go to bed early hoping that I will feel better in the morning. I generally don't wake up until 1 1/2 - 2 hours before my shift. And just because I feel like crap at 11pm does not necessarily mean I will still feel like crap in the morning. On the other hand, I've gone to bed feeling perfectly fine and then gotten sick while getting ready for work. So, I just don't call in. I show up and if I get sent home, so be it.