Is it ok for your work to call you after you called in sick?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

I called in sick last night at 2:25pm for my 7p-7a shift last night. Now, I just checked my cell phone and there's a message from the shift supervisor saying it's imperative that I call her back. She left the message on my cell phone at around 4pm yesterday. I was home and sleeping and as far as I know she did not attempt to call my house since I still do have a land line because my husband would've woken me to tell me. She made no further attempt to contact me last night so I have to guess she probably wanted me to reconsider my sick call as they probably had NO ONE to fill my spot since I work in ICU and you can't just put anyone in ICU. Really, though, that isn't my problem.

Who gave her my cellphone number is beyond me. Must've been one of my coworkers because as far as I know, they do not have it. If they do, then I will have to change it (AGAIN). And as far as I also know, I am not in trouble for anything.

So, do you think it's appropriate for them to call me after I called in sick, within the guidelines of having to call off(for 7pm-it has to be before 3pm) to try to get me to "un-call" off sick?

I mentioned to another coworker that I have an interview at another facility next week. Apparently someone can't keep their mouth shut because one of my friends tells me that I'm in trouble since I called in last night. Guess it goes to show that I'm better off keeping my mouth shut.

Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Do you call-in a lot? Seems like it shouldn't be a big deal unless this is an on-going issue in your dept. I've never heard of any of our supervisors calling people to try to talk them into coming to work after calling in sick. Course I have called-in 2 times in the last 4 years...

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

Uh no...the last time I called in sick was back in November when I was having a miscarriage and hemorrhaging.

Specializes in Clinicals in Med-Surg., OB, CCU, ICU.

Let's hope it was an oversight on their part. As for is it okay? It might "stink to high heaven", but the work-place likely would not be viewed as doing something wrong in this case.

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

I've never had them call me before to harass me after I've called in sick.

So, my guess is that someone and it can only be one of two people told them about my upcoming interview. Which has no bearing on my calling out sick last night. I'm guessing they wanted me to reconsider my sick call since they couldn't find anyone else to work it...which really is NOT my problem. If I get into trouble for anything it can be for calling out twice in a 12 week period. I'll get a write up in my file. Oh well! I've got lots of good references for this upcoming interview. I really need to get out of that place.

The last stunt they pulled was to MAKE me be the in-house OB/L&D RN because the one scheduled called in sick. The unit was closed but there's always supposed to be an in-house labor and delivery nurse in case of quicky deliveries. Last Saturday night, I was that person!! I am NOT a labor and delivery nurse. I've "helped out" down there a few times. Apparently they think it's ok to make a non delivery nurse THE delivery nurse when it suits them. I won't put MY license on the line like that anymore!! I just won't!!

Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

It's a terrible practice, but I know desperate supervisors at my hospital have called employees who had already called off due to illness. I try to squash that practice pretty quickly, since the last thing you need when you're shortstaffed is to wipe out the rest of your staff with illness.

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

I don't think it's kosher at all. If I'm sick, I'm sick! I'm entitled to sick pay just like everyone else and I don't need to be harassed and told it's "imperative that I return her call" Did she think I was bluffing? They could've tried my house first which they didn't since my husband told me no one called. I'm one of the few employees who still has a land line. She didn't try calling me again so I'm guessing I'm not in that much trouble. We'll see come Tuesday. It's 9:30am EST and I've not received ANY calls from work.

See, the DON is also our ICU unit leader since ours "resigned" last August. They haven't replaced him and probably wont since it saves so much money from their budget. Unfortunately, it's like a free for all up in our unit. We haven't had a staff meeting since July. Morale is BAD! It's a wonder people don't call out more often. When one person does, it's like a major catastrophe because there is NO ONE to help out. We have very few perdiem staff nurses and most of them only work days or evenings.

OP, that suspicion of interview, got me nailed once (non-nursing job). The one time I did call off (bad sinus infection), I felt I could because I had just completed a few projects and nothing would "blow up" with me gone for a day. When I came back, I got hauled into a conference room and questioned, because I never call off. I was very angry at this. Actually, after having secured some very picky accounts for them, and nearly having no life in having done that for them, I was hurt. The next day I started planning to leave, and actually ended up having one account look for and find me after I left... went out on my own after that. Serves them right.

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

I saved them a few times lately. Two weeks ago, I went down to labor and delivery to assist with an imminent delivery because there was no second RN!! So I was the second RN and it had been awhile since I assisted with a delivery down there...like over two years. Then this last stunt last Saturday! All I was told is that "it is what it is:!

So if I get hauled into the office over the suspicion of an interview, which would mean they are worried they'll lose me, I'll tell the DON straight out, I need a change because I will NOT put my nursing license in jeopardy as it was last Saturday night.

I'm sure I'll be "marked" now. I'll be watching my p's and q's for sure! If they try to fire me, I'll just tell the unemploymet office about the time where my coworker BIT another coworker on her arm and the hospital did NOTHING about it. The biter still works with me! (TRUE STORY)

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Why would it be an issue for her to call you? If you were really sick then it shouldn't be a problem. Maybe she just had a question or had to get more information or maybe she just wanted to inquire on how you were. I don't mean to be rude but why wouldn't you want work to have your cell? Most employers usually want all your phone numbers. What happens if you forgot to document a med and they had to contact you after you left? Worse yet what happens if there was a real disaster and they needed to call in all staff. We all get calls on our days off, it's just part of this type of work. You just politely say no. It seems like you reading more into this then is really there .... that is unless you've done something to feel guilty about. Changing your phone number (again) seems really extreme and honestly sounds a bit paranoid. You need to question why this bothers you sooooo much.

If you are in 'trouble' it is not because you've called in sick one time ... there has to be a reason. Perhaps you should examine your work practices. Why would you be in trouble? I seriously doubt that you are in trouble because you are interviewing at another facility. Or if you are then the supervisor has no business being a supervisor and you need to report it to her boss. Nonetheless be careful and don't burn your bridges ... if you are really leaving then you need to get a good reference. The market is pretty tight and even those of us with years of experience. The days are gone where we could walk in with a valid license and walk out with a job.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Sometimes after I've called out, my place will still call...I think half the time it's oversight and half the time it's "we're desperate!" And I just tell them sorry but no, I'm too sick--if I felt OK enough to function at work while sick and I wasn't contagious, I'd already be there.

The only time they'll not call while I'm sick is when I've faxed them a sick note with a date I can return to work, because then they know they can't get me in any earlier than that date.

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.
Why would it be an issue for her to call you? If you were really sick then it shouldn't be a problem. Maybe she just had a question or had to get more information or maybe she just wanted to inquire on how you were. I don't mean to be rude but why wouldn't you want work to have your cell? Most employers usually want all your phone numbers. What happens if you forgot to document a med and they had to contact you after you left? Worse yet what happens if there was a real disaster and they needed to call in all staff. We all get calls on our days off, it's just part of this type of work. You just politely say no. It seems like you reading more into this then is really there .... that is unless you've done something to feel guilty about. Changing your phone number (again) seems really extreme and honestly sounds a bit paranoid. You need to question why this bothers you sooooo much.

If you are in 'trouble' it is not because you've called in sick one time ... there has to be a reason. Perhaps you should examine your work practices. Why would you be in trouble? I seriously doubt that you are in trouble because you are interviewing at another facility. Or if you are then the supervisor has no business being a supervisor and you need to report it to her boss. Nonetheless be careful and don't burn your bridges ... if you are really leaving then you need to get a good reference. The market is pretty tight and even those of us with years of experience. The days are gone where we could walk in with a valid license and walk out with a job.

I'll politely disagree with you. I have a perfectly good working landline. If it's important, they can call my house, leave a message and I can call them when I get home, which is about a 40 minute drive from where I work.

OMG! Whatever did employers do before cell phones?? Not everyone has a cell phone. I do know people who don't own a cell phone. They are entitled to my one home number and that's it! Should I also give them my husband's, mother's, father's, brother's or sister's cell phone number? You know just in case they need to reach me on my day off? If they had a question about a med. I would've gotten a call LONG before two hours after I had called in sick.

You are right I am probably reading more into it than what it is because if there was an issue the DON, who is also my boss(unit leader/nurse manager) would've called me herself. My guess is that they couldn't find anyone to take my shift.

I have no issues with getting calls on my days off. I DO take issue with being bothered after I had already called out sick for my scheduled shift!

My work practices are just fine, thanks. Last time that nursing supervisor told me I needed to go to the office, she made it seem like I was in BIG TROUBLE when in reality, the DON had to tell me that my Med scanning, which we just started last month and were given LOUSY training, wasn't up to par. The nursing supervisor had me thinking I was going to get fired!

The nursing supervisor's boss is also my boss(the DON). They are both useless in my opinion. I've reported things to the DON and NOTHING has been done about the issues I reported like coworkers texting DURING REPORT...or at the nurses station during visiting hours. One guy refuses to put his phone down and has texted on it in front of the supervisor, who said nothing. He still does it.

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