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AIBU?

To be considering ringing in sick?

46 replies

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 11:45

I've started a new job. I've been there since August but I'm in a 6 month probation period.

The job is a mix of working from home and travelling.

I have some sort of horrible virus, chesty cough, temperature, shivers, headache - I feel dreadful.

If I was working from home tomorrow I'd be ok and I could just get on the sofa with a blanket and my laptop, but that's not the case.

I have to get up at 6am, leave the house at 7, take a 2.5 hour train to London, get the tube across London and then a train out to Burgess Hill which is just under and hour. Then attend an internal meeting till half three and then make the same journey back, getting home about 10pm. Plus there's the Southern Rail issue to factor in to things.

I don't want to ring in sick when I'm new and on probation but I really don't think I can handle the day. I could offer to VC in to the meeting and I could do other work from home. I'm really torn. The role feels a little precarious and as I'm on probation I'm only on a week's notice and I would be royally screwed if they let me go or I didn't pass probation.

WWYD? :(

OP posts:

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cherrycrumblecustard · 18/12/2016 11:49

Poor you, what a horrible position to be in. But you really don't sound well enough to go in. Can't you just be honest and explain you have a virus? X

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 11:51

I think I'll ring my manager this evening and explain that I am really ill and very sorry but I'm not well enough to travel and attend the meeting. I will offer to VC in and work from home.

I'm just worried about how it will go down. This would be the first time I had been ill or unable to attend a meeting for any reason.

OP posts:

VladmirsPoutine · 18/12/2016 11:53

I'd ring in sick. I know how precarious the situation is but it sounds as though even if you make it through the day you'd be effectively delaying your recovery.

baconandeggies · 18/12/2016 11:54

YANBU - everyone gets a virus from time to time. But you may well feel a bit brighter in the morning after a hot shower & lots of painkillers. Or if working from home is an option you'll be demonstrating willing and an ability to adapt..

MatildaTheCat · 18/12/2016 11:54

It's shocking that someone who is genuinely Ill is afraid of being fired for taking a day off. Do as suggested above and if they see you on the VC they will be able to see how unwell you are.

Surely they wouldn't want whatever you have? If your job is precarious I can't see one day or few days making any difference. Anyone can and does get sick occasionally.

Get well soon.

BoJolly · 18/12/2016 11:55

I would ring in sick and offer to VC as you suggested.

I get really annoyed with people who come in to work with viruses and spread them around - especially at this time of the year!

Assuming that you have had good attendance and done a good job during your probation period - they would be foolish to end your employment over this.

I hope you feel better soon

skyblu · 18/12/2016 11:55

Agree with be honest, explain you have a virus with these symptoms & don't feel well enough to travel on public transport for X hours, but would be happy to VC in & work from home. Perfectly reasonable & sensible.
(No-one is going to want you to share your germs the week before Xmas either! Work colleagues or the unsuspecting souls on the train/tube).

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 11:56

I'd be happy to work from home. I could just get on the sofa, dose myself up and crack on with e-mails, reports and phone calls. It's the travelling whilst feeling like this and the 16 hour day I don't think I can face.

OP posts:

cherrycrumblecustard · 18/12/2016 11:56

Think of it this way, you might put your position at more risk if you tried to go in and were not up to par at the meeting.

baconandeggies · 18/12/2016 11:57

I think I'll ring my manager this evening and explain that I am really ill and very sorry but I'm not well enough to travel and attend the meeting

See - if I was your manager I'd expect you to at least see how you're feeling in the morning. But you could give them a heads up and say you'll try your best but as a plan B could you call it in etc..

jemsywemsy · 18/12/2016 11:58

I'm not sure I'd offer to do VC, tbh it could look like you just can't be bothered with the travelling/are just a bit under the weather. If you're that ill, you can't and shouldn't work - easier for someone else to say I know. But I've seen people try and do what you're trying to do and instead of coming out of it well it actually makes people think they're weaker. I think a call to your boss saying you're really unwell and need to stay off would actually come across better, unless they are absolute bastards about this sort of thing. I've never known anyone fail their probation for one genuine case of illness.

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 11:58

DH thinks I should ring and explain and offer to VC in or work from home. He also thinks that it's Christmas next weekend and no one is going to even remember or care that I had 1 day off after a 1.5 week break

OP posts:

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 12:00

Yeah I don't think I'd come across very well in the meeting to be honest. :( I might feel better in the morning but it will be 6am so a bit early to ring anyone which is why I thought tonight.

I guess ringing to give them a heads up and letting them know at 9am if I am not coming might be the best way

OP posts:

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 12:01

Plus I don't feel well enough to have a shower and put make up on and don't fancy VC-ing in looking like I do (although at least they'd know I really was ill!)

OP posts:

Trifleorbust · 18/12/2016 12:09

Don't offer to work from home. That makes it look like you are well enough to work and you are not. If you're ill, you're ill. You are entitled to take the day off to recover.

Pipistrelle40 · 18/12/2016 12:09

Certainly don't ring your manager on a Sunday evening, i would be well pissed off if one of my staff did this unless it was a matter of life or death. Maybe send a text as less intrusive. Give them a call tomorrow morning with your offer of VCing. You are really close to the end of your probation so can't think a day or two is going to matter.

I had to ring in sick with a heavy cold many moons ago in a job when in my probationary period. My boss hastily confirmed the job as apparently was terrified i was going to leave.

Rufus27 · 18/12/2016 12:13

I think your colleagues would thank you for not coming in. Who would want what you have got for Christmas? I'd be really annoyed if you arrived at work, so ill, and gave it to me. Be kind to yourself - and others - by staying home and getting better.

YouHadMeAtCake · 18/12/2016 12:16

You are sick so yes, call in as such. Concentrate on getting better. All that is stressful enough if you feel well but feeling like you do it would be bloody awful.

AlabasterSnowball · 18/12/2016 12:22

If you're ill you're ill.
I went into work when I'd not long started my job when I felt really ill with a cold and passed it on to a couple of colleagues, one with quite a low immune system. I thought I was doing the right thing. Never again, if I'm sick, especially with something contagious I stay home.

blitheringbuzzards1234 · 18/12/2016 12:25

I agree with Matilda - you are clearly unwell - not swinging the lead. If you're able to VC that's great. Crawling in to work when sick won't do you or your colleagues any good. A reasonable boss will be able to tell that you're genuinely ill. Your good attitude/willingness since you started is a plus point for you. Good luck and get well soon - make sure you're properly better when you go back.

grumpysquash3 · 18/12/2016 12:27

Definitely don't go to the meeting.
Do call your boss today.
Offer to VC in but warn him/her that you are not on top form.

I think it will come across as good 'damage limitation' and the work will get done. On a VC you can easily say how sorry you are not to be there in person, but at least you won't be sharing virus with them!

I really don't think it will influence your probation. If anything, it shows that you think ahead and come up with solutions to problems.

daisychain01 · 18/12/2016 12:35

If you have the journey most days that you describe in your OP I'd seriously try to find something else in the new year that's easier to get to.

Sounds soul destroying having to do that on top of a full day at work.

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Riversiderunner · 18/12/2016 12:41

Depends how much you want to keep the job over one day of feeling awful.

Ahickiefromkinickie · 18/12/2016 12:44

There are a lot of viruses going around so I would just be honest. Your manager will probably be able to tell from your voice that you're not well.

Will your manager/colleagues be able to tell you're online and working from home? e.g. Skype for business?

toconclude · 18/12/2016 12:44

Depends on the firm. My son had two days off for an asthma attack during probation and they used that as an excuse to get rid - he had worked his arse off for a pittance and done lots of innovative contributory stuff as it was first job out of uni, business wasn't too hot at the 6 month so they chose to find a reason to "let go" all those without cast iron contractual ties.
Has a better job now.

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