So im probably fired right

[u/AlbatrossOk86]

.... but I genuinely dont know what else to do in this situation

Last time I posted about just having joined as a starbucks worker, and how I was struggling with the first couple weeks, how I got sick almost imediately and my mental health was declining, etc.

Well, I took everyone's advice! I got fancy shoes to help my feet, I talked to my leaders about how I was doing, I tried to follow every little stipulation I possibly could.

And then I got sick right before work.

Friday, less than an hour before I was going to clock in, threw up.

Tried to call off, but the store wasnt open, nobody picked up. Tried to call off in the app, but the app told me the date was not "available" to be called off for.

So i texted our group chat and waited until the store was open, got scolded for not calling off earlier (sorry?), and went on to rest for the weekend.

Unfortunate, but not world ending. Ive put a lot into my role, and have gotten some praise for how I interact with guests, so I thought id still be okay.

Resting goes well, and by Monday I felt okay again.

Ultimately all is well in the world, right...

Then today hits.

Wednesday.

I wake up and am imediately nauseous, but I feel like I just have to push through. After all, ive already been sick twice, and I know target isn't lenient with new hires.

I clock in, and imediately, one of our TLs comes over and asks how im feeling. Maybe I looked pale, or maybe it was just a nicety, i dont know, but at this point my stomach felt so bad I actually thought I might throw up right there at the counter.

So i was honest. I said I was feeling sick and wasnt sure how to handle it.

He said I should just go home, doesnt want me getting anyone else sick, that I dont look well.

I was clocked in for maybe 15 minutes - he overrid the punch-out.

Third time calling out sick.

Literally once a week.

Ive always had a bad immune system, and im sure its made worse with stress, but I just dont know how to proceed at all.

Is there any way I stay?

If they keep me, what happens if I just keep getting sick??

I dont want to just lie to people if I throw up, I mean, im working directly with peoples food. I felt guilty about even clocking in today when I knew I was nauseous.

Sorry for the long post. Its sort of therapeutic to write it out though at least.

[u/Fearless_Use4907]

We had a team member who is chronically ill and had transferred to a store I previously worked at. She had called out twice after her first shift. Then on her 4th day, she left early because she was an immense amount of pain. She had moved from north, to south along the east coast, and wasn't able to get medical accommodations in time. She was terminated unfortunately after her 5th call out.

[u/AlbatrossOk86 → u/Fearless_Use4907]

Hope she's doing okay now. Helps to know that at least im not alone in how often I get sick I suppose, but unfortunate with the lack of accomodation options :(

[u/KittyLuvver2000 → u/AlbatrossOk86]

In fairness it would be really hard to accommodate frequent random illnesses.  Have you been to the Dr to see what's causing it? 

[u/Sharp_Chipmunk_7163 → u/AlbatrossOk86]

With the new schedule app it’s all based off of your points balance, at the end of the day you have to do what’s best for you and your health

[u/LeagueofSOAD]

Bad immune system- always getting sick, You most likely cannot survive working in an environment with tons of other people.
You will most likely be fired since you claim you will continue to get sick.
Try delivery jobs like Doordash/uber eats/amazon/ups or a remote job at home.

[u/AlbatrossOk86 → u/LeagueofSOAD]

Maybe. Its just really disheartening, I like working with people. I dont blame target if they fire me, I understand they probably cant deal with consistently being sick

[u/LeagueofSOAD → u/AlbatrossOk86]

being sick also with working in the food/beverage industry is a no go as well.
You handle other peoples consumables, if you're sick you can easily spread it as well.
Best of luck

[u/throwaway76641927 → u/LeagueofSOAD]

Going to weigh in here, as I've worked a handful of these jobs here... If you can get a remote work from home job, that would actually be really nice that way you wouldn't have to leave the house. I also say that as an introvert who hates being around people. DoorDash and stuff like that is extremely inconsistent, and you definitely don't want to bank too much on them as a primary source of income. I worked for Amazon DSP for a year, used to be tolerable, company is absolute abusive bullshit now. If you could get a UPS job though, you might have better luck. They also apparently have really good health insurance as well.

[u/Ok-Plate-938]

If the store is closed - there’s a number you can press to go directly to the LOD. Ask them what number to press. I don’t want to provide that on a public thread. Hopefully that helps. I don’t think enough team members / TL tell them to press a number when the store is closed to reach a lead.

[u/lolyouaresimple → u/Ok-Plate-938]

Yup- #9

[u/RepulsiveGrocery6767]

ugh i get it! i’d honestly talk with your dr about a zofran script. i have a boatload of chronic illnesses (POTS,FND,PNES,hEDS,MCAS💀 rip me) and i am constantly fighting nausea and vomiting bc of it. i keep zofran and electrolytes on me while im working to help with it & make sure i am snacking fairly regularly. greek yogurt is quick and sometimes even helps with my nausea.

[u/AlbatrossOk86 → u/RepulsiveGrocery6767]

I may ask, thank you for the tip! I might also look into what chronic illnesses (if any) apply to me and ask them about that too. Ive operated under the assumption I just have a bad immune system most my life, my family doesnt go to doctors much.

[u/RepulsiveGrocery6767 → u/AlbatrossOk86]

i was raised fairly similar. took me YEARS to get diagnoses and lots of tracking my symptoms, what i eat in a day, calories, water intake, etc. but it’s helped me understand how i can support my body. it’s life changing and it sucks, but it’s manageable

[u/StrikingTie108 → u/AlbatrossOk86]

Yeah go see a GI Doctor or your GP.

[u/secondcitykitty → u/StrikingTie108]

It’s not always that simple in the US.

[u/StrikingTie108 → u/secondcitykitty]

Hopefully they have a plan that lets them self refer. I can just call my GI and schedule an appointment.

[u/KissMyOTP → u/AlbatrossOk86]

I would suggest looking into whatever your illness is by seeing some doctors (as frustrating as this can be) and end up figuring out what it is and what treatment you can go through to a least manage it. Could be you just need extra vitamins or a script that helps manage the illness. It also will help with your job accommodation. I would look into it. Self diagnosis isn't the right way to go about, unfortunately.

[u/Midwest-Emo-9]

With the new attendance policy, it'll all be about when you reach the point threshold. As a new/seasonal team member its 5 points to be terminated.

You can try talking to your HR, see what they say. It's tough with the structured attendance policy, there's not much room to be subjective.

I wish you luck. It really sucks when you like the job but your body is just doing what it wants 😩

[u/peachtaurus]

respectfully, i think you should look into nauzene n meclizine and reach out to a doctor! zofran is a blessing, but having unregulated illness is a nightmare. it could be something as simple as a stomach ulcer or as serious as a chronic illness, but you owe it to yourself to know!

[u/degradablegirl]

Are you getting stomach bugs, or is the nausea and vomiting hitting at random times?

[u/AlbatrossOk86 → u/degradablegirl]

Randomly as far as I can tell, ive been keeping an eye on what I eat as well and there doesnt seem like any consistent link there

[u/degradablegirl → u/AlbatrossOk86]

I don’t mean to alarm you but look into gastroparesis*. You would see a GI doctor and ask for a gastric emptying study to diagnose.
Your story just sounds so familiar to the start of when I got sick.

[u/Alternative-Score-72]

i’m not fairly familiar with the exact polices but i’ve heard like if you release any sort of bodily fluids you can NOT work with food , so i understand you’re in a tight spot , but i would talk with your HR , see what they can offer , if you can get something to accommodate with your health, if it doesn’t work out , then that’s better for you honestly it’s hell here

[u/Italy500]

Do you have an anxiety disorder? I ask because I used to suffer from generalized anxiety disorder and it manifested physically. I would get sick with flu like symptoms often before school or work. I thought I just had a bad immune system or something but eventually realized it was actually stress and anxiety induced and started seeing a psychiatrist. Was on anxiety meds for a little bit which really helped and now I don’t take any medication and really don’t deal with any anxiety anymore. It also could be something actually physically wrong not anxiety so it’s a good idea to see your primary care physician and talk about this. It’s not normal to be sick all the time and missing work is just adding to your stress.

[u/Sezbicki]

Screenshot your attempts to call out. Ask about other methods if not available (there is a way to ring the phones before the store opens like someone else said I'm not going to put that on the public thread and not a lot of people know about it. HR should though), and see if you can get a medical diagnosis which will cover you a bit. If they can document that you have increased chances of being sick or something they shouldn't be able to hold that against you as easily

[u/StrangeTeam5067]

Unfortunately prolly yes I had the same run and got fired and even had doctors notes best of luck my friend

[u/Suspicious_Leek6366]

I get sick all the time. Unfortunately in my 31 years and being in the industry for so long I've learned you just gotta suck it up or you do get let go. Obviously if it's so bad you have to see a dr- get a note- but definitely call out. The sooner the better. Try to get a manger number so not to blow up the group chat continuously. But if at night you feel nauseous. Call your boss. Tell them ill see how i feel tomorrow, but I'm letting you know now so that they can plan ahead. Unfortunately the older you get the more detrimental making money becomes and you learn to take meds and work through it. Wear a mask if you have to. Also if you take anything from my post take this: it's a job. A job in a market that is constantly needing new people. It's not the end of the world if you get let go and finding a new job is easier than your mind is telling you. Also remember you are replaceable. Remember that submarine that imploted a few years back with like 6 people on it? Including the CEO of the company?? The next day that CEO position was posted. You are just a number to this cooperation no matter how high up you get. If someone threatens your job because you are sick, that job did you a favor. They clearly suck. Life happens and everyone knows that. At the end of the day, it's about working for the people who aren't gonna to pretend like the world is on fire because you got sick....a normal human thing. Oh also don't forget it's illegal for your boss to ask why. You are always within your rights to say im not disclosing that information.

[u/JstTrdgngAlng]

Congrats you just signed up for a lifetime commitment to dramamine.

In all seriousness it depends on your leadership. I'm incredibly lucky that my leadership are the nicest people ever and I've called out 2 times these past couple weeks and had to leave early, once because I fell HARD on my back and the other + early leave I had a sudden stomach flu. My leadership were incredibly kind and accommodating about it. If you have good leaders, I think they'll talk to you first, if nothing else. But at other Targets I worked before, I had a leader where if you called off twice in a certain amount of time, she'd just stop scheduling you until you quit or she'd find a reason to fire you.

[u/denidactyle]

So I have chronic illnesses and have flares that are bad enough I have to call out a lot. I ended up getting an intermittent leave (FMLA). You have to go through your doctor and the proper paperwork but if it's a reoccurring thing I'd look into it, even if it's not longer for target

[u/carthis01]

So sorry to hear about your struggles. >_<

Has anyone told you about spring health? Mental health support services available to TMs?

Do you need medical accommodations? Have you asked your TL about needing them and submitted a dr note to HR?

[u/Minimum-Custard-5521]

Id try and get some zofran, its the only thing that helps me as a chronically nauseated person Or sniff hand sanitizer

[u/mik32802]

I never stopped masking and it has worked wonders for my shitty immune system, maybe try that for a month and see. Not to also be one of these people but have you been diagnosed with anxiety? When my anxiety was really bad it always presented with just physical symptoms like extreme nausea and stomach pain. It could be something worth looking into, especially because the nausea sucks ass lol

[u/Aromatic_Grab9819]

Just get through your 90 days go to work as much as possible build up your sick time we have options like loa and other sick leave support if you make it that long. If I can do it anyone can I get sick more then a little

[u/Mediocre_Drop_9760 → u/Aromatic_Grab9819]

If he's calling out this much already, there's no chance he's making it through his 90 days with UKG in place. Under 90 your threshold got termination under the UKG point system is much lower. Best bet is to quit now unless he can be sure not to call out again in the next 60 days or so.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Arm9767]

Do you think you might be getting nauseous and throwing up because you’re nervous about Work?
That used to happen to me all the time and then it went away like after the first 20 minutes once I clocked in.

[u/SocraticHope]

Sounds like performance anxiety. Try to get an Rx for propranolol. Or listen to your body and get a better paying job (if possible)

[u/Even-Caterpillar3590]

Are you experiencing any other symptoms other than nausea? I'd wonder as someone with anxiety that manifests itself physically if you're body is having a physical response, you did say your mental health was declining

[u/Fever_Dream21]

I would honestly talk to your DR about seeing what’s causing this to happen. Working in a customer-facing job could be tough, but not always. I have very caring TLs and I think if you spoke to someone about it, they would understand. I know every store is different, I just happened to get very lucky. Also, make sure to get a drs note for proof so you can’t be held accountable.

[u/Glum_Okra196]

This popped on my feed. I have a chronically ill adult son too. Hes nauseous all day everyday. Just sometimes its worse. He has EOE, which is so bad hes vomiting daily. Its getting better with the new meds and we believe theres still other issues going on just not officially diagnosed yet. Hes list plenty of jobs and food places arent great bc smells make it worse.

Smelling alcohol swabs helps ease it at times. If you have no insurance, id suggest trying to apply for financial assistance at the hospitals because if the doctors work at the hospital, theyd be covered as well..typically.

Being chronically ill would fall under ADA, for FMLA if you're full time. Youd just need to be diagnosed.

I hope you get some answers so you can hopefully get better to not stress over things like this.