Skiver?

[gallapunk]

Just letting off steam cos I expect there's nothing I can do without officially complaining, but the girl I work with is always ill at 'appropriate' times - and quite often too; I'd be worried if I was ill so often. I wouldn't mind were it not for the fact that I'm the one who has to cover. I only work part-time normally, but if she's ill or on holiday I work full-time as her job is a full-time one.

So Valentines Day, we had it planned that I'd do my hours in the morning as usual, then me and my other half would go shopping to buy me something nice and have a meal later on. Never got to do it cos she phoned in sick, so I had to go in and cover. Kinda spoilt the whole thing and I didn't feel like going for a meal afterwards. Then of course, she had today off as well because you'd never feel better by Friday, would you?

The same thing happened when we all went back to work after the New Year on 2nd January - she phoned in sick and had the rest of the week off.

Coincidence? That's just this year so far. It's the same every year, all year through. Our company gives us full pay while we're off sick, so there's no reason not to skive if you're the type of person who does that.

Grrrr! Anyway, at least I'm safe for a few weeks now - hopefully.

[Ice.Maiden]

Well I think you've done your bit, gp, so next time it happens, I'm sure that as you work part-time, you can always feign some pre-planned appointment that just can't be cancelled! Whilever you keep filling in for this person, she's going to let you. x

[dot.hawkes]

surely the first day of sick is unpaid? How long has this person been employed and why is the manager not conducting back to work interviews, these are quite permisable and will not only get the message accross that her perfomance is unacceptable but will also show her colleagues that it is being addressed.
If your company pay her when she is off sick, and pay you for covering, their wage bill is being stretched and potentially it could lead to a cut in the wage budget, she should be reminded of this to make her feel more responsible

[radiogaga]

back to work interviews should trip her up. this is normal procedure in my workplace.
your managers should be aware of this girls absenteeism. if not point it out to them. presented with her sickness stats for the year she may be backed into a corner and do the decent thing-and leave - or be pushed.

[meglet]

Does your company give sick pay no matter how mny days you have off? Surely not indefintely, as no-one would bother going into work! Does she get sick notes?

[sweetpea...!]

I think I work with her sister, exactly the same scenario! She only joined us last September and has had more weeks (not days) off than I have ever. Full pay again! She's a miserable thing when she's in - the girl we get in to cover is much nicer, but that's not the point is it!!!

[meglet]

And why do you have to cover? If you are not contracted to work those hours surely you don't have to. If you stopped covering her the absences would surely be more significant to the bosses?

[Louisa 69]

I'm surprised your employer doesn't have an attendance policy of some sort in the work place.

Why does stepping in to cover her hours always fall on you ? isn't there someone else that could take a turn?

Do what ice suggested next time, it's only fair that you get to do your things too.

[gallapunk]

Yes, they pay sick pay for as long as it takes, so far anyway; but it's only a small company (just two of us actually paid to work there) and so it hasn't been stretched to more than a week at a time yet.

But that's the trouble: it's so small, too small for me to say anything without it being personal, if you see what I mean. My contract says that I work my hours and I will keep them flexible for the company's needs, which they will forewarn me about as and when, but that when she is on holiday or sick, I work full-time hours. This means that sometimes if they need me to, I'll work weekends or evenings, etc. The problem arises though, when I do work 8.5 hours a day to cover sickness, if they're busy, they still try to get me to do weekends or evenings as well.

Probably because the company is so small, there are no back to work interviews, but I've never heard of them, so have I got that wrong? Don't misunderstand me, she's good at her job when she is there, but this illness thing just annoys me so much. I don't think I could say anything though, because when she's ill and I'm covering, I hear them saying to each other about, 'Poor XXX, she must be suffering to call in sick, I hope she's back soon,' etc.

[dot.hawkes]

If there are only two of you paid to work there, who is it that you hear saying 'poor whoever etc' and who does she ring to say she is off sick if there are only two of you working there?

[gallapunk]

The bosses (owners) say, 'Poor whoever'. There are only two of us employees. She phones the bosses to say she's sick. There are two of them also.

[JB]

Pre-empt her! You seem to know when she is likely to phone in sick, so do it yourself at the same time. I agree with the other posters that your bosses should be monitoring the situation, but if they're not - force the issue.
Without you to pick up the slack, they should look at the situation properly. Even if they can't bring themselves to address her sickness record, it may prompt them to put a contingency plan in place for the eventuality that you are both unable to work.

[gallapunk]

I've been tempted to do this on numerous occasions, but I just hate lying and screwing people, I really do. I guess this is going to be the only option open to me though, given the circumstances. Thanks everyone for your input, it's been really useful. When I go to work on one of these days when a sickie has been thrown, I feel like I'm paranoid; when I show my friends and family the record, they say the same as you have done and the same as the way I feel. You could say my friends/family are biased, but you're not, so I appreciate your posts.