Calling Off Sick --Do You Ever Think People Lie?

[It'sInTheBlood]

I was having these EXCRUTIATING intestinal pains a few days ago and I have no idea where it came from. It just comes in waves, and I feel like I'm going to pass out as it's happening. I was literally on the toilet when I called with my eyes squinted shut. So..I called my supervisor during this (because I could barely breathe, I didn't know what to say on the phone other than explain myself to her) I broke down in the middle of my explanation into tears (I was kind of out of it, but I'm afraid now she thought the whole thing was an act....I mean, who starts crying on the phone). What do you think about the issue?

[FancypantsRN]

Sure, people probably do lie when they call in sick from time to time. I am of the belief though, that it doesn't really matter. If they call in sick, they call in sick. End of story. I don't call out a lot, but when I do, I don't feel I need to offer a grand explanation. I simply say "I am sick and I won't be in". That is that.

You should not feel guilty, sounds like you really were sick - I hope you feel better (and I hope work did not make you feel badly for calling in).

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Of course some people lie whey they call in...some have even told me the called off for less that "pure" reasons. Don't worry about what other people know or think. If you are sick you have to call off...it happens...humans get ill--when they are ill enough the cannot come to work. Rest and get better.

As for the act of actually calling off...a question for someone who knows more about this than me. For some reason the topic came up at work. One nurse (who definitely does not have a call off problem) called and the charge nurse from that night, put her through the ringer..."well, what's wrong? did you try...? well what about...?" Etc. Another nurse they said that was not legal. She said that if you were calling off they (the person you all calling off "to"--excuse my bad grammar) has not right to know why you cannot come to work, and they are legally not allowed to ask details as to why you are calling off. Is this true? No, I have no desire to increase my calling off... Just with as often as folks on here post about things being illegal, I was wondering if this one was true.

[caliotter3]

When someone calls in every time they are scheduled on Friday, it is obvious they just refuse to work on Friday. Why they don't make an arrangement with TPTB not to be scheduled on Fridays beats me. Instead, they call in every Friday and the facility is short a worker every time this person was scheduled to work on Friday. This happened at a facility where I worked. Another common lie situation was to call off when one is scheduled to work during survey time. Happened every time. And management never does anything about the offending employees because they are considered so "valuable".

You were justified to call off. Do not be embarassed or worried over telling the truth.

[rn/writer, RN]

For some reason the topic came up at work. One nurse (who definitely does not have a call off problem) called and the charge nurse from that night, put her through the ringer..."well, what's wrong? did you try...? well what about...?" Etc. Another nurse they said that was not legal. She said that if you were calling off they (the person you all calling off "to"--excuse my bad grammar) has not right to know why you cannot come to work, and they are legally not allowed to ask details as to why you are calling off.

Not sure if this is federal or just my state, but when you call in sick you should not be interrogated. This is your private health information and whether or not you choose to disclose your reasons is up to you.

That said, if, as caliotter mentioned, there seems to be a pattern or some kind of abuse of the situation, you can still be called on the carpet and asked to provide some kind of documentation, i.e., doctor's excuse. But even then, such an excuse could just say that you were physically unable to work without divulging a specific diagnosis.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Sure people lie when they call in. It's called a mental health day.

I started crying when I called in when my dog died.

We are human. I hope that supervisor is too.

Should have shown nothing but concern for you.

Hope that GI issue gets better for you!

[slackula]

Of course they lie! When I was a supervisor and someone would call out we would be polite to the caller on the phone, but when I hung up, it was always "What do you think is really going on?" We had one aide who kept having her grandmother die and take a week off for it. On the other hand I have had managers really not believe me when I called out. Once really sick with a UTI. I was yelled at and told"Why don't you retire from nursing?"I was only 30!! My friend called out and was busted by the DON when she posted on Facebook about how much fun she was having at "Great Adventure!"

[linsmirn]

of course people call in sick, and some lie about it. when you call in sick, don't give an explanation, i recently learned that. i use to be the person who called in sick because i have hypothyroidism but i wasn't diagnosed or taking any meds, so i would get so weak to the point i couldn't stand and i would give these long explanation about it even though my whole staff already knew my i felt. anyways long story short, call in, tell them you don't feel good and you can't come in, and who cares if they think you are lying you have the right to be sick.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Don't feel guilty! It doesn't sound like you would have been much good if you had attempted to go in to work.

I once contracted fulminant necrotizing tsutsugamushi disease* from a podmate at a previous job. When my podmate had attempted to call in sick, the charge nurse on the previous shift told her that we were short and that she should report to work with vomiting as long as she had no fever. :smackingf (We may be NICU nurses and not ER nurses, but come on - common sense and compassion?)

The great part is that, while she was only able to work for four hours before going home limp and diaphoretic, she did get the opportunity to spread her funk to three of us on the unit - luckily not to any immunocompromised preemies though.

You were sick, you appropriately called in sick, and there is no apparent pattern of absences. I wouldn't give it a second thought.

* Okay, so it was a stomach bug. But still.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Of course some people lie habitually when they call in. And some people lie when they call in one time and never do it again. And some people won't call in sick unless they're trapped in a closet when a tornado hits.

It sounds like you called in appropriately, and I wouldn't worry about it.

Last year, I had a miscarriage on a Tuesday and called in Thursday for the entire weekend (I was scheduled to work Friday & Saturday). Physically I was okay but I couldn't emotionally handle going to work and seeing healthy mothers and babies for two twelve hour shifts. No one gave me any grief about it, from management on down.

Then 3.5 weeks later, I was in a wreck on the way to work; I lost control of my truck and it rolled up on to the embankment on the side of the highway. I was very fortunate that everything checked out fine, but I called in to work from shoulder of the highway and my charge nurse said, "No, Elvish, you're not going to be a little late to work today. You're going to get your butt in the back of the ambulance and go to a hospital and get looked at." Was that a 'pattern' of call outs? Perhaps. But they were two legitimate reasons and I didn't feel bad about either one. I don't think you should worry about yours either.

[sharpeimom]

you're a mere mortal, so you will get sick from time to time. don't over explain or give a great many details. it's nobody else's business which plague has befallen you. just call in and tell them something

like, "i'm sick today and plan to return ___." short and sweet.

the only time a manager ever challenged my being sick, i was really sick. i had felt awful for about three days and the coughing and congestion was getting worse and worse. i was in my twenties, panicky, and finally called my mom, who lived 1000 miles away. she listened to me cough and whistle and told me, as only a mom could, to stay home! my manager was not sympathetic or moved to be kind.

that night, there was a knock at my door. i ignored it. about 15 minutes later, the super let my mom in with his passkey! she kicked into high gear, got me to the er, and i was dx with pneumonia. that

%^&* manager called about six times a day, until on the third day, my mom identified herself as the lawyer she was, and not just as an irate mom. end o calls and the manager said to take my time and be sure i was completely recovered before i returned. that should not have been necessary!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Of course people lie. Some people lie all the time!!!! Some people who call in sick are REALLY sick, and when I would hang up I would think.....poor baby....they are sick! Your supervisor is a nurse too (at least they usually are) and I think they too can tell when someone is really sick and are at their wits end......don't sweat the small stuff!:hug: Feel better!

When I was supervisor I would accept that they were sick and tell them to feel better whether I felt they were faking or not.....you are not allowed to interrogate and bully someone when they call in sick to try to intimidate them into comming into work....... although many do. Sick time is an earned benefit and as long as you stay within policy and procedure of how often and how much technically they can't fire you. We all know of the story of the person who got fired for calling out sick and was seen partying. Technically they can't fire you (although very hard to prove in court) unless your policy states you must be legitimately sick and then be fired for lying.... but we all know they will fire you reguardless.....

Oh well.......The moral of the story is......when you lie don't post the truth on Facebook.....:)