If you tell your boss that you are sick, he/she will likely tell you to take a day off. However, there are some bosses who make unreasonable demands before they grant you sick leave.
This is exactly what happened with one woman who was down with a flu and was forced to take a trip to the doctor to get an official sick note to be able to avail an off. That's just not cool.?
Sharing the unseemly experience,?Reddit user Kath, from England, said she used to work in a supermarket, where she was a "pretty reliable employee". She said, "I was never late, in fact, I often got in early, and I rarely called in sick."
However, one day she wasn't feeling well and as a result called in sick five hours before her shift. She never expected that her boss would ask her to get a doctor's certificate to get an off, but that is exactly what he did.?
She said, "The conversation went as follows: Me: Hey Steve, sorry, I can't come in. I'm sick. Steve: With what? Me: I don't know. I think it might be the flu. I've been up all night being sick, and I have a fever."
She continued, "Steve: Don't be stupid. If you had the flu you'd be completely knocked out. I need you in. Come in or you're fired. Me: I can't. I just told you I can't stop vomiting. I passed out. Steve: (growling angrily) Either come in or bring a doctor note, or you're fired!"
As per UK laws, employees do not need to give their employer a fit note or other proof of sickness from a medical professional?if one is taking leave for seven or fewer days.
So, when Kath went to the doctor - who was furious with the boss for demanding a sick note- decided to take petty revenge on him.
In the note, the doctor said: "[Employee Name] has come to the surgery because [manager name] has insisted she come in, in spite of the fact that this is illegal and all employees are allowed to self certify. Due to being forced to make this unnecessary and highly dangerous trip when the patient is ill, has a fever of 39¡ãC, and almost passed out in the waiting room, I am signing [employee name] off for two full weeks to recover."
He continued, "Had [employee name] been allowed to self certify as is the law, they might only have needed a few days, but due to straining themselves, they now require two full weeks. They are not to be permitted to work until [date 2 weeks later]."
The note seems to have done its work as the boss had a disciplinary hearing where he was given a severe reprimand and a warning.??
We should all take a moment to appreciate the doctor. The boss, not at all.?