Kopite Posted June 27, 2005 Share Posted June 27, 2005 (Title edited in the style of Roberto as i forgot kids might get offended) i've been off with Glandular Fever for comin up 2 months now, when i'm not sick i work at the 4th biggest specsavers in the country and the place is a zoo. they focus soley on business and a lot of times the opticians will do 5 minute tests so they get to see more people in a day (bearing in mind other places will do half hour or so tests). i'm trainin there to be an optician, got my final qualifyin exams on wednesday, bein off for the last 2 months has been a right bitch! a lot of you have had glandular fever before so you know how it feels and you know it can take a while to go. before i went off with it, i was moaned at for not lookin happy - of course im not gonna be happy when i work a 9 hour day with only a 30minute dinner, in one of the busiest practices in the country, with glandular fever! i went off sick with it when it was kickin in, at that time i've had to start preparing for my exams and get coursework etc done, so i've hardly had a break in all honesty. for these exams i've had to go back in for the odd day to get a bit of practice in before wednesday. i was told this was up to me how long i went in as they were my exams - fair enough. i was last in last wednesday as by supervisor was goin to watch me do some sight tests and contact lens stuff to make sure im not doin anythin the examiners will pick up on. on Dr's advice, i shouldn' t be doin more than 2 hours as i'm not only damagin my own health but if i'm not on the ball, there's every chance i can miss some serious eye problems. and if there's anyone who works in medical areas, you know it's tirin on it's own haven't to be polite to someone who's being a fuckin wanker in your room etc. my supervisor kept stallin me for the contact lens stuff, sayin he was busy, but would be free soon. fair enough i thought, ill hang around and do a bit more testing - he wasn't free until 5:45 when there were no patients! he said he'd watch on friday mornin (a lot of the store is closed on thursdays) *IF* he was free. okay i thought, hopefully he'll be free early on. woke up on the thursday and felt like shit all day, like i'd taken a step backwards 2 weeks. same on the friday mornin so i rang in and said that i felt like shit again, but that i was feelin okay about my contact lenses because i've already been told that i'm not doin anythin wrong. so why am i so mad? just been in to work to pick some equipment up, was advised by the manager to stay away from my supervisor (he was off) as they're all seriously pissed off with me for not comin in on friday anf they've got the impression i dont give 2 shits about these exams. WTF? i'm still less than 2 months into the effects of glandular fever and they'd used me on wednesday to get more business and now they're moanin. if anyone's spoken to ne recently, they'll know how stressed i am over these fuckin exams. i said this to the manager, and in no polite way at all, i said that if they didnt think i cared about these exams then they;re off their fuckin rockers! the manager actually stepped away because he thought i was gonna lamp him. to be honest, if my supervisor (who is a grade A c*nt) had been in, i would of lamped in. so overall, because i've been off sick for 2 months i think i'm gettin sacked after my exams this week. i've had probably THE roughest year of my life - moved up away from home/uni to live on my own in the north east where i only know a few fuckers off this board (you know who you are , dad's had a cancer battle and my mum a nasty car crash too. this is all jsut after my brother's moved to new zealand so i've not really had much support off him. plus the most stressful trainin year and exams that i'm ever gonna do and to top it off i get Glandular Fever. of course i'm not gonna be too happy at work! but as they said "they don't give 2 shits about my exams because it's not their problem" - so a good store for training then!! problem is i'm not gonna pass all my exams, not a chance, so will have resits in september. gonna fuck me up if i get sacked!! if anyone from the Middlesbrough area wants to know which Specsavers NOT to go to get your eyes tested, just ask. although it's a bit obvious from that last sentance Rant over, now im gonna go and punch something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sakura Posted June 27, 2005 Share Posted June 27, 2005 First off They would have to be very stupid to sack you at this point. You have a genuine debilitating illness, which has a very long recovery time. Your GP has presumably been providing certificates? I would suggest, as you are not getting support from your employing branch, you contact the head office and tell them you want an occupational health assessment. This should be independent, and will provide evidence that you are not able to work due to your illness. They should also be offering more help with your preparation for exams. Have you considered contacting ACAS? They can give employment advice in these situations. I really feel sympathy for you. Glandular Fever is horrible, and stress can make recovery take longer. Someone needs to talk to your employers on your behalf, because you are clearly too stressed and exhausted to do it yourself. Getting mad with them is understandable, but won't help you win! I hope you get it sorted out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted June 27, 2005 Author Share Posted June 27, 2005 First off They would have to be very stupid to sack you at this point. You have a genuine debilitating illness, which has a very long recovery time. Your GP has presumably been providing certificates? I would suggest, as you are not getting support from your employing branch, you contact the head office and tell them you want an occupational health assessment. This should be independent, and will provide evidence that you are not able to work due to your illness. They should also be offering more help with your preparation for exams. Have you considered contacting ACAS? They can give employment advice in these situations. I really feel sympathy for you. Glandular Fever is horrible, and stress can make recovery take longer. Someone needs to talk to your employers on your behalf, because you are clearly too stressed and exhausted to do it yourself. Getting mad with them is understandable, but won't help you win! I hope you get it sorted out i am thinkin of that mate, the thing that's gripin them is me not goin on friday mornin - i said to them that i felt it was better in terms of my exams NOT to go in and get some revision done instead. gettin mad is the worst thing i can do, which is also a prob because of the way i am - if they start causin shit then i will just smack them. dependin how the exams go (99.99% i have at least 1 resit) then i might speak to some advice bureaus etc. just in an absolute rage right now though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted June 27, 2005 Share Posted June 27, 2005 Mate getting upset isn't the wa..... Ah **** it, go in there with a bat and make them all feel the pain. At least you'll feel better in the short term. You won't have to worry about exams and all that malarky as you'll be in prison! Regards, Gaz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveN Posted June 27, 2005 Share Posted June 27, 2005 Mate, I had Glandular Fever when I was in my last year at Uni and it is a total arse of a virus. It is does not get the general attention as it should as people who have not known someone with it, think it's just like the flu or something. I lost 4 stone and was knackered all the time for 3 months. This for a mad sportman who hates doing fu$k all, all i could do was go back home and sleep and chill out. I totally sympathise with your work situation, the GF will have a side effect of making your stress levels heighten and lower your natural ability to cope with day to day shite. I would echo the comments made, get your GP behind you, get the Employers Personnel dept. in the picture and cover yourself. You will make a full recovery from this. The only extra advise I can give (from experience) is do not get pissed. You will screw your liver up and become a cheap nite out dude ! On my first night back to Uni, after the Doctor had warned me not to drink excessivley, I did and woke up at 4am in a city centre flower bed. Normal 'rugby lads' nite out then .... lol. I hope your year improves matey ..... don't let the wankers get you down, its just not worth it longterm. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted June 27, 2005 Author Share Posted June 27, 2005 cheers for the advice dave, yeah i've only had 1 pint in about 2 months the time factor is the thing that's botherin me too - i'm only 2 months in at the end of this week! if they do try and sack me then i'm definately gonna be a pain in the arse for them! and nice of them to be havin this chat right before my exams too. right now i'm ragin still and have got shit loads of revision still to do, then gotta contemplate a drive from middlesbrough to cambridge..... would be nice day out in the supe if it weren't a drive to these mother fuckin shit arse exams! was therapuetic razzin round before with the trac off though (psst Gaz i think i need new tyres) and Gaz any jobs goin at Envy you've got me half tempted with that bat idea or maybe i should get my samurai sword sharpened Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted June 27, 2005 Share Posted June 27, 2005 chin up mate. Hopefully things will improve for ya. Come down to Leicester and we'll do a stress relieve exercise including chav bassing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Man Posted June 27, 2005 Share Posted June 27, 2005 It is quite hard to sack some one, even if it is within probation period. Training contract however is different. They are there to provide you with support and hope you would pass the exam and work for the company and resits are not included in the contract. I am a manager myself and I don't like absents period. I don;t really car what type of illness you have but absents means loss of business one way or another. Don't get mad if a few idoit at higher lvl have a dig at you. That will happen in any company you work in. Chill out and don't give them excuse to terminate your employment and if they do always ask for an appeal before you leave. They will need a strong case to dismiss anyone without having to worry about employment tribunal,. China Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted June 27, 2005 Share Posted June 27, 2005 Welcome to the real world Not saying that 2mths off work is not justified in your case, I don't know the details but any firm I've worked for would say that if you can make it in on odd days and go to exams then why not turn up for work? Having said that the best advice would be to pre-empt (sp?) any action that the manager etc. may have waiting for you by contacting the head office/personnel dept and explaining your situation and fears. The thing is they probably are already aware of you as the manager will not act without going to them first, explain how you wish to complete your training and would like to carry on working for such a superb company (bit of bullshit here). At least this will make it more difficult to give you the push, better if it's in writing too. If they do give you the sack then this can be used to help your case at a later date. Don't cut your nose off to spite your face, even a shit firm will pay your bills till you sort something better out and don't wack anyone however tempting as it's game over from your point of view. Believe me it's all a big game, they expect 100% loyalty and effort yet when you are in need of support or times get hard for the company then it's f*ck you !! Play the game well, not saying you won't get the push but you'll maximise any compensation due. Don't think that they give a shit about tribunerals or playing it by the book as most companies nowdays see no shame in ending up at one and will gladly pay out the one in ten that take them to one. Good luck mate...........play to win! Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blert596 Posted June 27, 2005 Share Posted June 27, 2005 On the good side tho mate....we did win The European Cup Head up lad, sh*t'll sort itself. Im at Envy this weekend if you fancy a pint as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted June 27, 2005 Author Share Posted June 27, 2005 play to win indeed. i had a chat with them about my exams, the reason i'm doin them is this. there's 10 in total, ive done 6 already, 4 more this week. any you dont pass, you resit in september (there's a couple of dates). if i didn't sit them, i'd have at least 4 to do then, plus how every many resits from the first batch. it could be 6 exams over 2 days which would really be impossible to pass (they're all practical with patients, or you get interviewed by a couple of examiners etc, no written papers etc at all). work wanted me to pass ASAP because they *were* wanting an optician out of me as they've had 2 quit recently and can't get anyone else in (i wonder why ). it was in their best interests to get me passed and then they'd be able to drill even more tests therefore profit out. recently though, they don't want me stayin on because i've been off so long. i dunno how i'm gonna last in the exams, will just have to see. because they don't want me stayin on anymore, they have changed their minds about wantin me to pass - as they said they don't give a shit. when a woman there who had breast cancer was off for 8 months, they threatened to sack her and they also said to her that it didn't matter to them if she came back or not as they were coping fine without her. classy people EDIT: and to top things off, just got back from gettin some fuel for the trip tomorrow, was givin it some with the trac off like usual, black cat walks across the road in front of me and almost makes me stack the supe! i love cats so i made sure i didnt hit it, it just watched! great, the last thing i need - a pissed off black cat crossin my path! doh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 I wonder if part of the problem is because it's Glandular Fever you have, Ro. Some folks seem to think of Glandular Fever like most of us do about M.E. i.e. that there's nothing really wrong with you. I realise that M.E. is also a real illness but the only people I know that have had 'M.E.' were lazy buggers who always had loads of time off sick with this and that anyway. Maybe your colleagues and bosses think you aren't really that ill. Also, the thing Paul said about companies not caring about folks sueing them for unfair dismissal is true. I've heard guys at my company (massive retail company) when they're trying to get rid of someone. Their viewpoint is basically "Just get rid of so-and-so, even if he sues and wins he'll only get a couple of months pay - it's cheaper and easier in the long run." Watch your back mate. And for God's sake don't belt anyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Perhaps they want rid of you because you have no concept of the shift key? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 How career damaging/feasible would it be to take a year out? You're obviously not well and have a brother in New Zealand, a bit of R&R out there would do you the world of good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Best thing you can do by the sounds of it is go to the supervisors boss and tell him/her what is happeneing, if that fails, wait until your exams are over, keep your head down and when youve got the green light... go to the local rag and tell them what is happening, name names etc, etc. But, remember you must do it professionally and NOT make it seem as though you are just whinging because you have an axe to grind. Then, hopefully you will expose the supervisor for the tw*t that he/she is. Perhaps you might even suggest to your supervisors boss that he/she takes a man management course, quite clearly the wannabe needs too. My motto through life has always been "never to get mad, but by christ I ALWAYS get even". Stay cool, and dump him/her right in it at your earliest convinience. Have fun..............keep your calm, time is on your side my friend and so is the law of the land, ever heard of constructive dissmisal, look it up on the net you may find it interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted June 28, 2005 Author Share Posted June 28, 2005 I wonder if part of the problem is because it's Glandular Fever you have, Ro. Some folks seem to think of Glandular Fever like most of us do about M.E. i.e. that there's nothing really wrong with you. I realise that M.E. is also a real illness but the only people I know that have had 'M.E.' were lazy buggers who always had loads of time off sick with this and that anyway. Maybe your colleagues and bosses think you aren't really that ill. Also, the thing Paul said about companies not caring about folks sueing them for unfair dismissal is true. I've heard guys at my company (massive retail company) when they're trying to get rid of someone. Their viewpoint is basically "Just get rid of so-and-so, even if he sues and wins he'll only get a couple of months pay - it's cheaper and easier in the long run." Watch your back mate. And for God's sake don't belt anyone! I know what you mean about ME mate, one of my best mates has had that for 2 years and he was paranoid about people thinkin he was fakin it. The back up i do have is a couple of sets of blood tests confirming glandular fever, the thing that really annoys me is that i really didn't want to be off because i wanted to get these exams done. My personal incentive for gettin them done is because then career wise, i've done all the qualifications i need and also i get more than 3x pay rise (toys for soop ). The manager thought i was gonna chin him because he saw how mad i got when he said they're of the opinion that i don't give a shit about the exams. Unfortunately, there is no-one above them. Specsavers is a joint venture thing so the store is his. i could go to Specsavers HO but they always side with this bloke because his practice is one of the big money spinners. It's the same reason he can make some serious mistakes and get away with it! If I go to anyone, it will be the trade union BUT i don't want to do that unless i feel i've got no choice. will have to see what happens. and Faye - i like your thinkin what i am desperate to do is get these mofo exams done and then have all the R&R that i want while lookin for a new job P.S. Caps button used in honour of Michael Canny and i'm off to cambridge to do these fuckers, so wish me luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLicense Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 I had glandular fever when I was 19. I felt shite for a week, thought it was flu, decided after 6 days to go to see the doc. They took a blood test and said that they would get back to me. A couple of days later I was feeling fine, so went into work. I got a phone call from the docs, who said, yup you've got glandular fever, you need to take the next three weeks off work as it's contagious (sp?). I told them I felt better, but she said "nope, off you go." So there I was lounging around for three weeks, feeling fine. Thing was though this was pre-supra, and all my mates were working and my girlfriend was in Mexico at the time, so I was bored shitless. Couldn't wait to get back to work. Apparently though, I was told it's an S.T.D. I asked how I could catch it, and they said by close physical contact. So obviously my missus must have been having it away and was just a "carrier". What do you recon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted June 28, 2005 Author Share Posted June 28, 2005 it's passed through saliva so it's nicknamed Snoggers Disease. you can get the virus and it can lie dormant in your system for ages without problems, but it then flares up during high stress e.g. at exam times. that's what happened with me, it flared up after my last exams in march, like you i felt alright at first and carried on. when my neck was wider than my leg, i went the docs! for the first 2 weeks i was off, i didn't feel too bad but then i got worse and worse. problem i've had is i havent been able to relax because of stress and revision etc. ah well, on friday i'll find out how many resits ill have gutted that i fucked one up in march Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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