Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To WFH due to a headache?

40 replies

Paperplace · 10/06/2024 09:21

I didn’t sleep well last night. Fell asleep at 11:30, woke up at 1:30am and have been awake since. Got up with a banging headache, called my boss and asked to WFH as it is supposed to be an office day. He said yes that’s fine.

I got a message from one of my colleagues on my team saying it’s making our team look bad because I’m not actually unwell and could’ve just taken some paracetamol and come in, as it is important that all of the team is together in office days for our meetings etc. I said yes but I don’t feel well. She said it’s only a headache and it’s not an illness that I can spread and so I should just take some tablets and get on with it.

This woman is in her 60s and has been at the company for 20 years. So she isn’t afraid to say whatever she wants to people. I am in my late 20s and have only been there 6 months so I think she’s trying to act like she can tell me what to do. At the end of the day, my manager said it was fine. AIBU?

OP posts:
snoopyfanaccountant · 10/06/2024 09:33

I have WFH on an office day with a headache because I didn't feel safe driving due to the lack of sleep.

Original poster
Paperplace · 10/06/2024 09:32

tvisstillon · 10/06/2024 09:27

I'm probably missing the point here but our work policy is basically 'if you're too sick to come in, you're too sick to work'. So in this scenario with a really bad headache, not sure how working from home will fix that? Rather than looking at a screen you probably need to take a sick day, take some meds and wait for it to pass. If you were one of my staff, I'd have told you to take it as sick and rest up till you felt better.

Having said that, if it's none of your colleague's business what's been agreed between you and your manager. I wouldn't even get into conversation about it. Her opinion is irrelevant.

Hope your head feels better soon!

Yeah I get this. Usually I do just call in sick if I’m unwell but I do think I’m well enough to work. It’s one of the perks of the job really that it’s so flexible. A few weeks ago my manager worked from home all week because he had a cold and felt really rough. We don’t get paid for sick days so hardly anyone takes them anymore and just works from home instead. Whether that’s right or wrong, it’s just the way it is where I work so if I can opt to work from the comfort of my own home when I feel a bit shit, and my boss says it’s fine, I’m gonna take it.

and thank you 💝

OP posts:
Maddy70 · 10/06/2024 09:32

Just say. I cleared it with my line manager. I dont need nor have asked for your permission

Original poster
Paperplace · 10/06/2024 09:29

CelesteCunningham · 10/06/2024 09:28

Is she senior to you?

If not, I'd email her and cc your manager thanking her for her concern but that you have agreed with manager to WFH.

no she isn’t senior, she just thinks she is because she’s been there so long

OP posts:
CelesteCunningham · 10/06/2024 09:28

Is she senior to you?

If not, I'd email her and cc your manager thanking her for her concern but that you have agreed with manager to WFH.

Bcdfghjk · 10/06/2024 09:28

Email manager with screenshot of her messages.
I hope it was you that told her you have a headache as your manager shouldn't be revealing health issues to anyone else

Original poster
Paperplace · 10/06/2024 09:28

Singleandproud · 10/06/2024 09:25

I would screenshot the messages and send them to your manager. If he has shared the information that you are off with a headache he shouldn't have without your permission.

Well I messaged the team to say that I won’t be in the office today. And she messaged me to ask what was wrong. I told her because usually she’s fine! I didn’t think anyone would have a problem with it.

I asked if I could WFH because I’m well enough to work but working from home gives me the flexibility to try and sleep a bit longer before starting, and i don’t have to sit under the very harsh office lights which will definitely make me feel worse. If I was really poorly with a virus or something I’d just call in sick completely

OP posts:
DrJump · 10/06/2024 09:28

If you are sick don't work. If you have a headache but can work then go to work.

tvisstillon · 10/06/2024 09:27

I'm probably missing the point here but our work policy is basically 'if you're too sick to come in, you're too sick to work'. So in this scenario with a really bad headache, not sure how working from home will fix that? Rather than looking at a screen you probably need to take a sick day, take some meds and wait for it to pass. If you were one of my staff, I'd have told you to take it as sick and rest up till you felt better.

Having said that, if it's none of your colleague's business what's been agreed between you and your manager. I wouldn't even get into conversation about it. Her opinion is irrelevant.

Hope your head feels better soon!

Floofydawg · 10/06/2024 09:25

Nowt to do with her. Your manager has agreed it.

Tdcp · 10/06/2024 09:25

If you manager has said it's fine then it doesn't really matter what the colleague has said. If she isn't in a senior role she has no business telling you what is and isn't acceptable.

ILikeALemonWedgeInMyGin · 10/06/2024 09:25

Tell her your manager is fine with it and it's nothing to do with her so she can mind her own business.

Singleandproud · 10/06/2024 09:25

I would screenshot the messages and send them to your manager. If he has shared the information that you are off with a headache he shouldn't have without your permission.

PenelopeFeatherington · 10/06/2024 09:24

It's not any of her business, but I do think that wfh blurs the boundaries somewhat, if you're too ill to work you shouldn't be working.

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 10/06/2024 09:24

Just say "mind your own biz"

She shouldn't know anything about your health anyway unless you've told her yourself.

It's none of her bees wax why you're off, whether that's from a stubbed toe to bereavement.

Swipe left for the next trending thread