off work sick

[lana]

Hi Cheri, did you talk to somebody about your manager?

[missworld]

Everyone is too nice and polite on this site. Here's my honest opinion about this issue:

First off, you did things the wrong way. if anyone were to call in to advise your supervisor about your illness it should've been YOU! It is your responsibility to notify your supervisor, not get someone else to do your dirty work. Unless your vocal cords have been damaged, you are the only person that should advise your supervisor. Second, are you calling in sick often? Even if you provide a doctor's note each and every time you are off sick, it does not change your supervisor's perspective of you. A doctor's note is so easily attainable these days with just a few dollars. I worked with someone who called in sick at least once every second week, if not every week. Every manager, supervisor, and employee's perspective changed and this person was seen as unreliable and not dependable anymore. I thought he was going to lose his job but apparently he has since smartened up and changed his ways (by not calling in sick as much). I'm sure his own supervisor has noticed his improvement, as she no longer hounds him about it. You're supervisor is right about things being harder for them with one less person, since everyone has to take on your responsibilities while you are away. While this is alright once in a blue moon, it is NOT fair to everyone else if you call in sick often. Next time you feel you are sick, suck it up and go to work! Although it isn't fair, it will show your supervisor that you made an effort to come into work. It allows them to see that you really do get sick and not just pretend you are (recall: your husband calls in sick for you and you bring in a doctors note the next day). Who knows, maybe your supervisor will send you home to rest!

In regards to approaching management, confide in a manager that you are tight with or who has witnessed your supervisor's "harassment" towards you. If you are unable to doing this, maybe you should look at this with a different perspective. Since you've already tainted your reputation at work, perhaps your should reverse your question and ask whether upper management can trust you! Are you beneficial to the organization?