David Savvides calls in sick

Column 14 - 26.10.04

David Savvides calls in sick

I have a confession to make. I called in sick the other day. I'll never do it again, I promise.

I called that special number. The one my employers gave me after they brought in a firm called Active Health Partners. They said they were doing it for my own good.

Really they wanted to cut the number of people taking 'sickies'.

A nice nurse on the other end sounded concerned. She asked me my symptoms. I told her. I said I needed to lie down. I'd be alright after a good day's sleep.

I settled down - my head was throbbing, I felt like sh*t. But I couldn't sleep.

But it wasn't because I was ill. The phone kept ringing. It was the nice nurse again. She was phoning to check how I was doing.

Was I better yet? Had I tried paracetemol? Was I drinking plenty of water? Had I wrapped up warm?

After the fourth time, I must admit I lost my temper. Wouldn't you? I called her a bad name. I said a naughty word.

The phone was quiet for an hour then. I was just dropping off when there was a knock at the door. I decided to ignore it. It would be those Jehovah's Witnesses wanting to borrow some sugar again.

Next thing I knew the door had been kicked in. I peered through my blurry, red-rimmed eyes and saw two men dressed in black, holding daysticks. Or maybe they were big thermometers, it was hard to say.

Anyway, they said they had to administer some strong medicine. They didn't want to, and it would hurt them more than it would hurt me.

They were wrong. It hurt me more than it hurt them. The thermometers were big. I find it hard to walk now. But I did - walk that is. Anything to avoid that happening again.

I went to work after that. I can't say my work was much good though. And if I wasn't ill before, I defintely am now.

Active Health Partners are trialling this service to York Council for three months. If it is successful, it may well be taken up by public sector organisations elsewhere. By 'successful', they mean the number of miraculous cures like mine.

I've heard of the nanny state and I've heard of the police state. But we don't live in that kind of society because this is a free country.

I never had a nanny, but if I had I'd have wanted her to be firm but fair.

However, I'm not a child any more. But I know that if you treat adults as children, you shouldn't be surprised if they behave like children.

Besides, I've got the 'flu now - someone came to work sneezing.


Column 14 - 26.10.04 David Savvides calls in sick I have a confession to make. I called in sick the other day. I'll never do it again, I promise. I called that special number. The one my employers gave me after they brought in a firm called Active Health Partners. They said they were doing it for my own good. Really they wanted to cut the number of people taking 'sickies'. A nice nurse on the other end sounded concerned. She asked me my symptoms. I told her. I said I needed to lie down. I'd be alright after a good day's sleep. I settled down - my head was throbbing, I felt like sh*t. But I couldn't sleep. But it wasn't because I was ill. The phone kept ringing. It was the nice nurse again. She was phoning to check how I was doing. Was I better yet? Had I tried paracetemol? Was I drinking plenty of water? Had I wrapped up warm? After the fourth time, I must admit I lost my temper. Wouldn't you? I called her a bad name. I said a naughty word. The phone was quiet for an hour then. I was just dropping off when there was a knock at the door. I decided to ignore it. It would be those Jehovah's Witnesses wanting to borrow some sugar again. Next thing I knew the door had been kicked in. I peered through my blurry, red-rimmed eyes and saw two men dressed in black, holding daysticks. Or maybe they were big thermometers, it was hard to say. Anyway, they said they had to administer some strong medicine. They didn't want to, and it would hurt them more than it would hurt me. They were wrong. It hurt me more than it hurt them. The thermometers were big. I find it hard to walk now. But I did - walk that is. Anything to avoid that happening again. I went to work after that. I can't say my work was much good though. And if I wasn't ill before, I defintely am now. Active Health Partners are trialling this service to York Council for three months. If it is successful, it may well be taken up by public sector organisations elsewhere. By 'successful', they mean the number of miraculous cures like mine. I've heard of the nanny state and I've heard of the police state. But we don't live in that kind of society because this is a free country. I never had a nanny, but if I had I'd have wanted her to be firm but fair. However, I'm not a child any more. But I know that if you treat adults as children, you shouldn't be surprised if they behave like children. Besides, I've got the 'flu now - someone came to work sneezing.
savvides@cyberium.co.uk \| First published in Public Servant issue 14
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