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

[SaffireWeldon]

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

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

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

It stands for Family Medical Leave Act

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

Probably because you called in on Christmas.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

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

It is a federal law in America. Canadian HR wouldn't have anything to do with it.

[SteelGrey]

I know it sounds cold but Honestly...most employers are about the bottom line. They want to keep employees around who are like robots: show up on time, never get sick and don't complain. People are replaceable and rules are rules. You could be battling cancer and the truth is the show must go on in a health care setting.. It has nothing to do with your condition or whether your absences are validated.

I see your in Canada. Best thing would be to start a conversation with your employer and educate yourself on your options. Good luck!

[NOADLS]

I see your in Canada. Best thing would be to start a conversation with your employer and educate yourself on your options. Good luck!

*you're

you're = you are

your = possessive

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

As you are in Canada I have moved this to the Canadian forum.

what is the hospital/employer policy on sick time? Where I work we have a % marker on acceptable sick time and if over that then we have to go n the attendance program

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Aren't nurses in Canada unionized? Could this be an issue your union rep can help you with?

[Neural]

When people don't show up for work, patient-to-nurse ratios go up, which often results in lower quality patient care and unsatisfied customers (patients/family). That's the bottom line. Your bosses are gonna get on you for that. Don't take it personal, because it's not.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

A Drs note is not enough, you have to fill out fmla. Most likely you have an attendance policy in place. Where I work a Drs note is not important having fmla protection is the only way it's not counted against you. Real medical excuse or not people will be frustrated....especially when you call in on Christmas.

[loriangel14, RN]

They don't have FLMA in Canada. Yes you can be disciplined, even with a legitimate reason. How much you can call in with be part of your contract. If you are breaking the contract or facility policy you can be disciplined.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

A Drs note is not enough, you have to fill out fmla.

The OP is in Canada — FMLA does not apply there.

[iShaybie, ADN]

This makes me mad! They want you to work while you're sick? I'm sure they'd be pretty upset with themselves if you came in and infected everyone (if you were contagious).