What would you do

[Flossy73]

In the last year I have exceeded my sick leave, we are allocated 10 days but I've used 20. This included surgery and I have upcoming surgery again for a orthopaedic issue. I have always been upfront with my manager regarding any absence plus included a doctor's note each time. So he pulls me into his office to say my sick leave has been high and we need to do a formal review. I also went previously to see occupational health doctor at the managers request (however this was optional) and was cleared that my sick leave was valid. They are aware that I will need surgery in two months time. So I'm unhappy because I feel targeted by my manager and feel like I need to leave. The manager has done this to other person too I want to go on the casual pool so I can recover after surgery then find a full time job. However how can I get round the issue to do with the amount of sick leave I've had in the interview Because the manager has told me they will have to tell potential employer about my sick leave. I'm afraid no one will hire me. I'm a great nurse, I work hard but never been out of a job.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I assume that you are not in the U.S.? Does your country have any kind of federal protection for illness, similar to FMLA?

[Flossy73]

No nothing like that. Originally I had a fall so I've been waiting for surgery over a year, since my reason for sick leave was validated by the staff doctor, there were no more issues from the manager. But yesterday there seemed to be a problem from their side again. I need to explain my sick leave in an interview knowing my manager is going to tell them.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

You could say you had to take off a lot of time for a personal health issue that is now resolved.

[Flossy73]

Would you stay or leave ?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I feel like I've seen this type of post before...

OP: if your facility has a sick policy, then you are expected to abide by it. If you exceed the required number of sick days, even for valid reasons, then you have violated the policy and risk disciplinary action, which appears to be what is going to happen to you. It may not seem fair, but your facility isn't doing anything illegal.

However, that doesn't mean you are without hope.

Here in the US, we have what is called the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under it, a person who has qualifying medical conditions can apply to take intermittent medical leave. What this means is that sick days used under intermittent medical leave can not count against the limit you have. So this could allow a person to call out more than their facility's limit and still keep their job.

However, it's not a license to call out whenever you want and to stay qualified for intermittent medical leave, you will have to provide documentation from your medical provider every few months. Still, if you're in the US, it's something to look into. If you're not in the US, see if there's a similar type of government program offered in your country.

Best of luck.

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

First sorry to learn of your ortho problems.

Next your manager is required to have these conversations as he has a manager he reports to and has to explain the variance to. If you have been upfront about your need for more surgery and time off it sucks that together you can't work out a plan e.g. using your annual leave if you have no personal leave left. You are well within your rights to resign and join the casual pool, many staff do this all the time. Yes he may tell them about your personal leave issues but hey-ho. You need to research the requirements of casual pool, I know ours you have to put your vacancies in every fortnight or even put in that you are not available and also work at least 1 shift every 3 months otherwise you are removed from pool.

The other option is to drop down your hours on your ward, this may impact your personal leave allowance but may be an option for a period of time to allow you to recover?