Verbal warning about sick calls.....please advise

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How can i make my situation as gentle on me as possible? Today I received a verbal warming about my sick calls. I have a chronic condition that I live with. And at times it becomes unbearable where I am either hospitalized or at home on sick leave with a drs note sent to my Nurse Unit manager. And at time for some other medical reason which is legit as I have a drs note as proof that I am ill. I had to take off December 25 and 29 with a dr note for an upper respiratory tract infection in which my dr wrote I was not well enough to work...then again in August I was hospitalized with a drs note for my chronic condition which I had to take time off work which was two days however I was hospitalized for over a week. Then again in May my chronic condition flared up again and I was off for a day and a half. I don't understand why I am getting a cold shoulder for being legitimately ill. Please offer some advice...not sure how I feel about this

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Legit or not it still upsets people when they have to cover your shifts. It's just human nature.

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You're "getting a cold shoulder" because anyone's frequent or extended absences create problems for all of the rest of the staff. Right or wrong, lots of healthcare employers have policies about certain numbers of absences resulting in discipline, regardless of how legitimate the absence may be and regardless of whether you have a physician's excuse or not. Are you using regular sick time, or FMLA? It's my understanding (although I'm certainly no expert) that, once you're approved for FMLA, the employer is required to give you the time off that you tell them you need, no questions asked. Of course, that's unpaid leave. (Oooh, I just noticed your spelling of wellness "centre." Are you somewhere other than the US? I have no idea how illness and absence from work are handled outside the US.)

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yes, I do agree and have been in the same scenario...however, should a person be disciplined for being ill? With a drs note?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Have you worked there long enough and is your employer large enough for you to go onto FMLA? That is truly the only way to protect your position.

Employers have the right to expect their employees to be regular and reliable. I'm sure you can understand a little of the frustration that they feel when someone (even legitimately) is erratic in attendance. That's why there's FMLA to protect you if you qualify. You will need one of your physicians to sign the paperwork that allows you to claim the job protection.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
yes, I do agree and have been in the same scenario...however, should a person be disciplined for being ill? With a drs note?

I was recently put on a warning due to 4 "excused" absences within a 12-month period. Each and every instance was either a critical illness or accident (fractured bones, torn tendons). I've been with my employer a VERY long time. But rules are rules and I had violated them, despite everything being on the up and up.

Don't take it personally - no one is accusing you of faking. You seem focused on needing to prove the legitimacy of your illness(es). Your employer is just trying to take care of business and run a facility.

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what is FMLA? Do they have this in Canada? If so I want to get on it as soon as possible.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I too have a chronic condition and I sympathize with you. People truly don't understand what it's like to live with something you have no control over. In some states, in a facility that hires over 50 people, you have the right to apply for intermittent FMLA, which allows you to call off as many times as you need while counting the sick days as only one occurrence. I have it and I use it when I need to. You may need to work for one year to qualify. All I had to do was fill in some paperwork and get my doctor to fill in their part too. I have to renew it every 6 months. It's a been a godsend. See if you can apply too.

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I am a very new green nurse and I do worry about my position since it was brought to my attention verbally.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I too have a chronic condition and I sympathize with you. People truly don't understand what it's like to live with something you have no control over. In some states, in a facility that hires over 50 people, you have the right to apply for intermittent FMLA, which allows you to call off as many times as you need while counting the sick days as only one occurrence. I have it and I use it when I need to. You may need to work for one year to qualify. All I had to do was fill in some paperwork and get my doctor to fill in their part too. I have to renew it every 6 months. It's a been a godsend. See if you can apply too.

The Family Medical Leave Act is a federal law in America. Sorry, I don't know anything about Canadian laws.

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Thank you Rocknurse I will check it out...what does FMLA stand for just so that I know what to call it when i speak to human resources

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Chronic conditions can really be stressful, for both you, and the staff left to cover your frequent absences. Understanding your illness doesn't stop them from being overwhelmed covering your gap.

Do your best to control your illness, be grateful to them for covering, and consider reducing your hours if your health is suffering.

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