I'm sick, and my boss doesn't believe me

[Rae Rae]

I'm so upset w/ my new manager at work! First of all, I requested the day after my birthday off because I have other plans that day, and she comes in and says "Well why do you need that day off?" Her tone was, pretty much "it must not be important so you need to come in". We still haven't settled that one...but today I had to call in because I have a migriaine and have been throwing up, had chills and sweats, couldn't breathe, just really feeling crappy. I call her and say I won't be able to come in and right away she says "Well you need a doctors note and get the other manager for you to come in". I ask if she can call the other manager and let me know what happens...she calls back and said she never got ahold of her. The whole time she's very rude to me, kind of like she thinks I'm BSing. So I continue getting ready, and I start to vomit again...I call her up and say there's no way I can come in, and right away she says "Well you need a doctors note and if you don't bring one, I'm writing you up". I told her "I'll bring a doctors note since you don't believe me, and I've only called in once my whole time being here..." she cuts me off saying it's not that she doesn't believe me, so I tell her you'll get a note, BYE!"

I'm so upset because I've only called in once...my first day which was training because I had the flu, and I rescheduled it for the next day. This girl has only been here a week and is being a total b**** to me because I'm sick!

Whatever happened to "I hope you feel better", or "That's O.K, just bring in a note"...

I really like my job too (I never thought I would have a job that I look forward too!), and it's dissapointing to know that this new manager is going to make it hell for me! Because of these two incidents alone I'm ready to quit!

[Tiger's Mom]

hmmmm . . . that is NOT right. You have every right NOT to come in it you are SICK. I highly suggest you check it out as it might be harrrassment

[red98vett]

What is up with THAT ?? Most people don't even go to the doctor when they're sick - first - money ....and 2nd cause if you feel THAT bad, who'd want to leave the house and sit in a waiting room ??? That really isn't fair to ask for a note....

I can see bosses doubting someone - many times for good reason but if you don't call in sick alot and really ARE sick they need to accept what you told them as the truth.

[Rae Rae]

I think it is procedure that management needs doctors notes because we NEED to be their for our shifts (theirs only 3 of us), but Tiger's Mom you have a point, it might be harrasement so I'm going to look in to it to see if it's required. I got a note, my mom called the doctor for me, and since I've been a migraine sufferer since I was 15 it's not like I need to go there, and I'm not insured right now, so I really can't afford to even go to the doctors!

Vee you're soo right...the main reason I can't go in is because I'm nautious...I KNOW if I get in the car I'll get sick again.

My mom said next time I see her to tell her that I've never called in, and how I was there through all the hard times (short-staff) before she came and etc..but I said I'm not because I have NOTHING to prove to her. The RM knows my work history, so that's good enough for me

[ARCHIE]

I am sorry you feeling so sick. There are so many illnesses going around
here, everyone has something different!
Dosen't your place of business have a health package. Number of sick days
allowed per month etc? It is rule of thumb for most if your out more than
3days together you must come back with a note from the doctor. If your
sick a day or two most people take care of themselves before heading for the doc. Dosen't sound fair at all. You don't need to be stressed out on top of
being sick. Sounds like she's busting your chops. Look into what
you benefits are. There are State laws regarding this as well.

Hope your better real soon.

[Booboo'smommy]

That is so stupid...your boss soesn't have the right not to let u stay home if you are ill. What is happening with the ppl today? Something is wrong!!!

[jp4m2]

RaeRae...my husband has diabetes & when he's having a bad hypogycemic day
he just calls work & tells them he's using one of his FMLA days & they have to except that. I think it stand for Family Medical Leave Act (maybe)....It's for when he's ill he does not have to go into a doc.office because there is nothing they can do for treatment...I believe it's also for if you have ill family members & take care of them.... so if your migraines are chronic you may be able to have your doc. fill these papers out for you....P.S. You still won't be paid for the missed day but you don't have to run to a doc. to prove your ill. Good luck.

[Peters]

go in and get sick on her then maybe she will believe you .people who act that way annoy me to no end. sorry somones being hateful to you

[BabyFidgette]

Honey, I FEEL your pain! Unforutunately I get sick a lot and have to call out of work. I have SO many doc's notes it's not even funny! Yet I still have a "reputation" with my bosses for being the teacher that calls out a lot. What do you want me to do! It's not my fault.

Oh, and I was informed at my doc's office that it is against the law~HIPAA for employers to ask why you were out or why you are calling out.

[magnolia]

I'm a supervisor for a health system where I live, working in a busy 3 physician office. Our policy is that if you are out more than 2 days, you need to obtain an excuse from the doctor - we don't make our employees get an excuse for every 24 hour stomach bug, migraine headache (of which I also am a sufferer), and so on. IF you are too sick to come to work for 2 days straight, then you really NEED to see a doctor and therefore get an excuse. The reason we don't require an excuse for the first 2 days is for reasons stated - a stomach bug cannot be "treated" by a physician other than for him/her to tell you that's what you have and to drink plenty of fluids, rest your tummy for 24 hours, then eat bland foods for a day or two. Migraines - sufferers know what we need to do - dark room, no noise, cold rag, and meds if we are on prescription for them. The health system I work for employs over 1200 people. First 2 days out are paid for under an employees vacation days, provided there are days available, with the 3rd and subsequent days paid under sick leave. Only exception is if you are admitted to the hospital on first day out. The reason for this is there have been several cases in the past where employees abused the sick leave. So, to nip that, this is how it's paid and handled which makes those of us who don't call in suffer when we have to by using our hard earned vacation days.

The FMLA papers are a great idea but - unless I'm mistaken (and I very well could be!), those are completed if you are going to miss more than a certain amount of days and then any subsequent episodes in the future during a 12 month time frame can be claimed under the FMLA - but I'm not 100% sure! I used it when I had surgery a few years back and hubby is out on it now - we both missed over 2 shifts of work. Ask your HR department about it. If not, maybe a letter from your doctor stating you've been treated for migraine headaches for X # of years, he/she has you on ______ medication for it, and when one "hits", you are under his/her care to take meds and stay in bed. Maybe the letter in your personel file will also help to serve NOT having to get an excuse each time you suffer one. And if you're like me, it's really bad on day one - need to stay in bed, but by day 2, you can function somewhat to go to work.

Best of luck to you! Hope by now your headache is much better!

[Rae Rae]

I guess she was contacted about the whole incident today, and she explained to the boss that I'm a migraine sufferer, and how I never called in...she said she didn't even believe it at first that it was me who called in! I'm glad that she stood up for me, I don't know what I would do w/o her!

I don't know how things are going to be between me and my new manager, but at least I got this issue out of the way. Now alls I have to worry about is making up my hours (I have to be at 30 for my benifits, and I'm only 2weeks away from being eligible, so it would really suck if they got put back now )

[Punkin&Piper]

Wow she is terrible, I am a manager and I never act like that. I actually beg my employees not to come in when they are sick because I don't want to get it. She shouldn't behave like that if you don't call in a lot. There is no reason for her not to believe. If she is new maybe she is just trying to show that she has power.

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by Punkin/Piper

Wow she is terrible, I am a manager and I never act like that. I actually beg my employees not to come in when they are sick because I don't want to get it. She shouldn't behave like that if you don't call in a lot. There is no reason for her not to believe. If she is new maybe she is just trying to show that she has power.

That's what I think it is, she's trying to show whose boss. She might be intimidated because there's me and the other supervisor, but she's still above us..I don't know, I mean if she said "O.K, but you need a note" or whatever that would be one thing, but don't make me feel like I'm lying.

[BamaFan121s]

Gosh, you have my deepest sympathies with a migraine. I think everyone should have at least one in their life so they will know how it feels.

Your boss sucks. You should have gone in and thrown up on her. Would have served her right.

Personally, I don't care if you went to the doctor or if you got a note...I hope you feel better anyway!

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Gosh, you have my deepest sympathies with a migraine. I think everyone should have at least one in their life so they will know how it feels.

Your boss sucks. You should have gone in and thrown up on her. Would have served her right.

Personally, I don't care if you went to the doctor or if you got a note...I hope you feel better anyway!

Thank you! I hate suffering migraines, fortunatly, their not as frequent as before (knock on wood)..I used to get them 4x a week! I got them so much, that even if I didn't have one I still felt like I did because I had the mentality that I had one, or was about to get one! I pray for all migraine sufferers, their not fun at all.