Chucking a sickie

RE: Chucking a sickie

Lucy Fleming — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 19:22:43 GMT

Broken bones (or other physical injuries, depending on severity) are a bit of an odd one though, aren't they, in that you're otherwise quite well. A bit different from most other illnesses or mental health issues where your ability to work is more likely to be severely impacted.

RE: Chucking a sickie

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 14:39:49 GMT

When I had my wrist surgery I was in an above the elbow cast - was given 2 weeks at home but spent it dealing with complaint letters and re-doing our clinical protocols. I then came back in to work (though having to be driven to and from work) and supervised our new vets teaching them how to consult, doing lots of paperwork and being in charge of returning calls from the message book.

I was able to still work but my role was adapted. Don't think I could have sat at home for 5 weeks doing nothing. Suspect it's the way we're hardwired.

RE: Chucking a sickie

Vet2Vet — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 05:12:07 GMT

It’s all a bit sad . Many vets can cite work done with broken bones - it’s very common. Myself included . Received call just out of radiology from broken bone - oh good you’re out - here’s your list . And of course you just go and start and inevitably finish . But it’s ridiculously masochistic .

RE: Chucking a sickie

Julian Earl — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 10:59:48 GMT

I hope this doesn't end up as playing Top Trumps but I worked with a broken collar bone in 2005 but had to be driven around. Also I worked with abroken rib sustained in a mountain bike race when I landed on a tree stump. I didn't finish last n the race either! My first visit that Monday morning was a routine herd fertility visit. Halfway through, there was the inevitable "while you are here"...for a very lame cow. Struggling with a back foot was rather painful! = Angry at sod's law that occasion.

but one thing about broken ribs: they only hurt when you breathe!

After my accident in 2012, I did have six months off work and I never went back so a bit longer really! An induced coma interferes with things I found!!

RE: Chucking a sickie

bevs2251 — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 23:58:54 GMT

[quote user="Alistair Graham-Evans"]In Australia a full time employee is entitled to 10 sick days per year and any unused ones accumulate year on year. This can really influence the monetary value of a business at sale. In some professions ( not ours to be fair ) people are quite open about using accumulated sick days as holiday! It is not unusual for someone to mysteriously get a medical condition that is vague and hard to prove near retirement thus getting a nice early retirement on full pay. It is a generous system but widely abused. We also have long service leave so an employee is entitled to several months leave on full pay after completion of 10 years in a job.[/quote]

In 35 years, I've taken 2 sick days, one when I had my own practice so didn't get paid for that ! Australia certainly molly-coddles with all the award perks. I recently worked with a millenial for 3 years who took every single sick day he was entitled to (corporate practice), so that puts a kybosh on the thought that younger ones are less inclined to take a sick day off. He would have taken his full complement of 30 sick days in 3 years, whereas I didn't take any. Sometimes, that left no vet at all to man the clinic. I picked up his slack when I could, but I was strictly part-time so not always available.

But that's probably the difference in the UK work ethic and the Aussie sentiment that because there are sick days, you can take them fully paid and head off to the beach without bothering to think of the knock-on effect at work. Now I have 2 casual jobs so if I don't turn up, I don't get paid. Luckily, I don't get sick very often.

RE: Chucking a sickie

Michael Woodhouse — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 22:22:34 GMT

[quote user="Busybee"]Michael, I applaud you for working so hard but am concerned that this attitude is a fault within the profession[/quote]

Thanks, I think. I'm not sure that this has to be a negative thing - we work hard and take our responsibilities seriously. If I don't go in to work someone has to do my work in addition to their own. Adding to that is the pressure of owning the practice and the buck stopping with me. I personally think it is only right and proper to go into work if you are physically able.

That said I have sent a lot of people home because they are not feeling great. If you'd have worked for me (and the workload possibly would allow) I'd get an assistant home for some rest if they had been up all night - even if that means me missing my dinner and taking on their work in addition to my own. I regularly let staff go home early if not busy - it is payback for the mad days where you barely can eat and leave late.

RE: Chucking a sickie

Busybee — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:08:50 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]In my life I've been ill but I doubt there has been 3 days where I couldn't have physically have worked. I had surgery on my hand and didn't miss a days work. My tasks were a bit limited but it's amazing what you can do.[/quote]

Michael, I applaud you for working so hard but am concerned that this attitude is a fault within the profession. I've worked for 9 years and had 2 sick days in that time, plus 3 more when hospitalised. This week, I've had to take 2 half days off through sickness and exhaustion after being on call for 2 nights with 2 hours sleep on each on top of a cold (I know, only a cold) which spread to my chest (I have Asthma). The worst thing though, was being made to feel guilty for taking time off.

Believe me, I'm all for working through being ill where possible and could have taken many more days off over the years when feeling under the weather, and I do feel aggrieved when colleagues take days off for a 'headache'. But in this day and age of mental wellbeing it has done nothing for my confidence in my practice to be made to feel guilty if I genuinely feel I'm not up to working. We need to take care of ourselves - no one else is going to! ✌️♥️

RE: Chucking a sickie

Julie Innes — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 14:43:14 GMT

I definitely think there is an aversion to absence in the veterinary world, I'm guessing worse in small practices are there are far fewer bodies to carry the can. I admit as an employer I am a little relieved, as if everone was absent for every cold/ sore foot etc we really would struggle, although we always advise people to stay home if V+/D+ or very unwell. . Personally I have never had a day off sick since I started here 8years ago. Prior to that the only time I had off work over the 16 years was 1 day with proper flu, where I couldn't walk, and a couple of occasions where I was hospitalised (after major car crash and with suspect pulmonary embolism). Happily, I'm generally a fairly healthy person!

RE: Chucking a sickie

jd2008 — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 04:22:01 GMT

[quote user="Alistair Graham-Evans"]

It is not unusual for someone to mysteriously get a medical condition that is vague and hard to prove near retirement thus getting a nice early retirement on full pay.

[/quote]

Really? That does surprise me, particularly as there are robust provisions within the relevant legislation allowing employers to demand a medical certificate (or statutory declaration for occasions where an appointment with a doctor can't be obtained in time) as a condition of granting paid sick leave. The employer is also free to choose at which point they apply this requirement - it can be as soon as after 1 day. In fact, I haven't come across any employer in Australia who doesn't use this provision to prevent exactly the kind of theoretical abuse of the system you describe.

RE: Chucking a sickie

grumpyoldman — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 21:36:08 GMT

I find that all the vets we work with turn up come what may . Sometimes I find myself suggesting/sending people home when they are clearly ill and /or exhausted. I have had in the past the odd malingering trainee nurse that worked their way through the A-Z of minor ailments and swung the lead on Fridays and particularly Mondays. In these situations they tend not to last long because of the scorn and wrath of the others who are not backwards about expressing feelings of being let down.

RE: Chucking a sickie

Alistair Graham-Evans — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 23:50:29 GMT

In Australia a full time employee is entitled to 10 sick days per year and any unused ones accumulate year on year. This can really influence the monetary value of a business at sale. In some professions ( not ours to be fair ) people are quite open about using accumulated sick days as holiday! It is not unusual for someone to mysteriously get a medical condition that is vague and hard to prove near retirement thus getting a nice early retirement on full pay. It is a generous system but widely abused. We also have long service leave so an employee is entitled to several months leave on full pay after completion of 10 years in a job. We have about 18 employees and it is easier having spare staff than having a crisis every time someone is absent. It is simpler finding things for someone to do than try and cope when I short!

RE: Chucking a sickie

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 22:23:49 GMT

In my life I've been ill but I doubt there has been 3 days where I couldn't have physically have worked. I had surgery on my hand and didn't miss a days work. My tasks were a bit limited but it's amazing what you can do.

The only time I don't want people in would be contagious V&D.

If I can work, I'm going in. (1 day off sick in 13 years as a vet - genuine flu)

RE: Chucking a sickie

Nicola Cole — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 22:02:52 GMT

I suspect it affects all small businesses but would think those people whose role can't be covered at short notice are more likely to not take a sick day.

RE: Chucking a sickie

Bob Russell — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:12:01 GMT

I suspect many small business employees/employers are reluctant to take time off because of the impact on others.

I don't automatically pay full rates for sickness but in practice that is what we do. This would also cover reasonable time off for sick children, even really sick pets. I don't find much abuse of this system because it is based on trust. It does mean on occasions sending someone home because they have tried to work and are not up to it.

Works well for us but we do have to watch out for each other.