Contract Terminated following fives days sickness (prescribed treatment by GP)

[george99]

I have been working for an NHS Trust in London for about 6weeks via an agency delivering Project Management services. I have recently been forced to take five days sickness (unpaid) due to an infection to both my ears, throat and chest which had left me nearly deaf and short of breath. I did attend my GP who made the diagnosis and prescribed strong antibiotics.

I have been in contact with the client on a daily basis to ensure that anything I was to deal with was communicated to my line manager and I had asked if I could have my email redirected home so that I could keep on top of things - this was refused and I was told that being ill was just one of those things that can't be avoided and I should stay at home until recovered to avoid infecting anyone else.

I had a call from my agent yesterday informing me that they had terminated my contract - stating the reason for termination being "due to performance related issues and the ability to carry out the duties of the role at the level required."

I'm very angry about this and want to know if there is anything I can do about this - this is likely to affect my future assignments?!

If I'd been a permanent member of staff they would not have been able to do this?

[SueEllen]

1. Have you read your contract? In some of mine I've had the clause that if I was sick for 7-10 days and didn't provide a substitute then the contract would be terminated.
2. Working for a trust means they would be sceptical about believing what a GP said. Unfortunately many employers not just in the NHS don't believe their staff are sick unless it comes from a specialist even if the specialist is a junior doctor who knows f*** all.
3. A bad employer would sack you if you had under 1 years service and was sick for 5 days or at least discipline you. That's because you cannot claim unfair dismissal. It's also common for employers to do interviews with staff when they return to work, or to phone them daily while they are on sick leave.

[Mephisto]

Despicable - I know we're not permies and I know we are unlikely to take time off for 'stress' etc., but we do still resemble humans vaguely and such are as susceptable to their diseases as Permy Pete.

Pretty poor form but in no way surprising from the NHS

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I have been working for an NHS Trust in London for about 6weeks via an agency delivering Project Management services. I have recently been forced to take five days sickness (unpaid) due to an infection to both my ears, throat and chest which had left me nearly deaf and short of breath. I did attend my GP who made the diagnosis and prescribed strong antibiotics.

I have been in contact with the client on a daily basis to ensure that anything I was to deal with was communicated to my line manager and I had asked if I could have my email redirected home so that I could keep on top of things - this was refused and I was told that being ill was just one of those things that can't be avoided and I should stay at home until recovered to avoid infecting anyone else.

I had a call from my agent yesterday informing me that they had terminated my contract - stating the reason for termination being "due to performance related issues and the ability to carry out the duties of the role at the level required."

I'm very angry about this and want to know if there is anything I can do about this - this is likely to affect my future assignments?!

If I'd been a permanent member of staff they would not have been able to do this?

Two reasons this has happened and they are both in the first sentence:
London - Translated into English that means cut throat, no time for anybody, dog-eat-dog
NHS - Stands for No Hope Sir. Don't expect anything good coming out of that place.

Good luck

[TheFaQQer]

I'm very angry about this and want to know if there is anything I can do about this - this is likely to affect my future assignments?!

No. Explain that it was a short-term contract, but don't give any references that might contradict that and reveal why you left. My first contract was terminated because of a major disagreement between myself and the functional lead, but that's not held me back.

If I'd been a permanent member of staff they would not have been able to do this?

No, but you're not a permanent member of staff. In the same way that they treat you differently in terms of pay, appraisal, pension, benefits, sick pay, holiday pay and the like, they can treat you differently with respect to terminating the business relationship between your company and theirs.

Move on and look for something else. Yes, it's frustrating that they treat people like this, but that's the way of the world.

[kaiser78]

I'm very angry about this and want to know if there is anything I can do about this - this is likely to affect my future assignments?!

There is nothing you can do about this except name and shame if it makes you feel better.

Why is this likely to affect your future assignments - you haven't been terminated because you were crap, but because you were ill ? Explain this when applying for future roles and the agencies should be able to see this not being a reflection on you.

[Pogle]

I sympathise with your situation, but in the end you are a contractor and as such are expendable.

You really have to just shrug it off and get on with finding another contract.

Good luck

[Support Monkey]

I have been working for an NHS Trust in London for about 6weeks via an agency delivering Project Management services. I have recently been forced to take five days sickness (unpaid) due to an infection to both my ears, throat and chest which had left me nearly deaf and short of breath. I did attend my GP who made the diagnosis and prescribed strong antibiotics.

I have been in contact with the client on a daily basis to ensure that anything I was to deal with was communicated to my line manager and I had asked if I could have my email redirected home so that I could keep on top of things - this was refused and I was told that being ill was just one of those things that can't be avoided and I should stay at home until recovered to avoid infecting anyone else.

I had a call from my agent yesterday informing me that they had terminated my contract - stating the reason for termination being "due to performance related issues and the ability to carry out the duties of the role at the level required."

I'm very angry about this and want to know if there is anything I can do about this - this is likely to affect my future assignments?!
If I'd been a permanent member of staff they would not have been able to do this?

Thats unfortunate and totally unacceptable to be canned for being ill, as contractors we are still human so do get Ill however thats the gamble of contracting and i think someone on here previously said if your a contractor and you get ill you need to be in hospital or dead not to turn in.

Unpaid! it always will be they only pay for days onsite, don't waste your energy being angry they won't have you back just get out and find another contract and just put it on your CV as a 6 week contract.

Your right if you were Permie they could not do it but your not so just accept thats the way it is and move on

[SueEllen]

Thats unfortunate and totally unacceptable to be canned for being ill, as contractors we are still human so do get Ill however thats the gamble of contracting and i think someone on here previously said if your a contractor and you get ill you need to be in hospital or dead not to turn in.

Very true.

I have been at one place where an ambulance was called for a contractor that collapsed.

Normally if you are that sick there will be always a few people in the client's office who will make a comment telling you, you shouldn't be in. Once they have seen you for a couple of hours then you can go home.

Unfortunately if you have a condition that can effects your ears and balance it's a bit difficult getting in in the first place (and getting home) but it can be done particularly if it's by public transport.

[Support Monkey]

years a go i worked in a factory and a fella collapsed with a heart attack, ambulance arrived and has they were taking him out the door on a stretcher the factory manager clocked him off, so much for being permie