Do you feel guilty taking sick leave?

[Newyearsameoldme2020]

I had a job in retail when I was 17 - 21. It was an awful environment to work in and if we rang in sick the boss would hold it against you for ages after. In fact I remember one girl rang in when she had swine flu and the manager told her "don't do this to me".

Fast forward to now (New job), I find it so difficult to ring in to work because I think it will be held against me.

I've been really I'll this week, been to the doctor, got meds and struggled on at work. Today I couldn't do it any more and told my manager I had to go home but would catch up at the weekend if I felt better. She told me to go home, get rest and she would help me catch up on Monday.

But I feel guilty and can't believe I actually came home sick because it was drilled into me before that ringing in sick is so bad.

Does anyone feel the same?

[BackforGood]

No, because I only take it when I really need to.
If you are ill, you are ill.

It probably also helps that I've got decades of working behind me, so everyone at work knows that if I need time off, then it is genuine.

[IceCreamAndCandyfloss]

No but I rarely have to so only do it when I’m really too ill to work and my long term employer would know I must be really ill to have called in.

[Ilikewinter]

Yes I do, infact so guilty that I know I go into work when I really shouldn't. I think we are the stupid ones though, i took 1 day off in December with that really awful flu that was going round. I was glad i had a Friday off because I then had the weekend to be ill in my own time. A colleague took 2 weeks off, christmas and new year, he didnt feel guilty at all!.

[SpeedofaSloth]

Yes, I do.

[DonnaDarko]

Last year, I had a really bad virus. I was exhausted, terribly congested, really bad cough and feeling nauseous. I still signed into work that day (I work from home). I had to take half the day off in the end and all the next day. I felt so bad that I was letting my colleagues down, which was just silly as it wasn't my fault at all and everyone I work with is so lovely and caring!

[Ciwirocks]

Yes I do. I was vomiting last Sunday, I knew I couldn’t go in on Monday but I still felt really guilty about it especially as by Monday night I felt so much better

[woodhill]

Yes I felt terrible but still feel guilty

[Nan0second]

Yes I feel really guilty as clinics may be cancelled if a colleague can’t cover and that would negatively impact lots of patients (consultant hospital doctor).
I know I go to work when I am fairly unwell rather than let people down but my boss is very supportive of those of us who are only off when it’s absolutely essential

[otterses]

I do, more guilty about the impact on service users though. I had nearly two weeks off in January with glandular fever and felt awful about being off it's daft really.

[HundredMilesAnHour]

If you're ill, you're ill. Please don't be one of those people who comes into work with flu or a really bad cold and gives it to everyone they work with. The impact of this is far more damaging.

[Newyearsameoldme2020]

@Ilikewinter I always wonder though if it's held against the people who take sick leave for things others would go to work with.
I mean my boss always says it's ok, doesn't seem angry, when others ring in sick, but is it secretly held on record against them? Would it impact bonus, promotion etc?

[tinytemper66]

No I don't because no one gives a shit when you are in!

[gamerwidow]

I hate taking time off sick and need to be dying before I do so. Even then I can't relax because I'm worried about what people will think. It's pressure I put on myself, no-one at work would question time I took as sick leave because they know I don't take the piss. If any of my staff felt like me I'd tell them not to be so silly and to take sick leave and not feel guilty. I can't take my own advice though.

[PlomBear]

Ummmm let me think, no?

The advert for your replacement will be online before your obituary.

If you are sick, you are sick. As opposed to skiving. Honestly, it’s just a job.

[BackforGood]

I mean my boss always says it's ok, doesn't seem angry, when others ring in sick, but is it secretly held on record against them? Would it impact bonus, promotion etc?

Well of course it isn't, if you are genuinely sick.
If you have 'Monday-itis' , or take a week off on a regular basis, then that might be different, but if you are genuinely ill as a one off, or you've had an accident or something, then that is what it is.