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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To call in sick to work tomorrow

59 replies

newmummylucy · 11/12/2024 15:39

I started a new job in September and have had 1 day off when my DC was unwell and I didnt have childcare at the end of sept. I now am pretty sure I have a chest infection. I went to the pharmacist and he thinks its a chest infection...Im couging up yellow mucus and my chest hurts when im breathing in and i just feel generally unwell. AIBU to call in sick for a day? I dont want to seem like a liability. I have a desk job FYI

OP posts:
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PeepDeBeaul · 13/12/2024 16:53

I'm a manager and I'm currently off sick (day 2) with what I think is a nasty cold. I really wouldn't be fussed if someone newish needed 1 or two days to kick a bug or wait for antibiotics to take affect. Is a manager who gets upitty about such things really one you want to work for.

Make sure you are seen to be taking the antibiotics while at work too...just labour the point a bit 😉. There's a psychological effect to taking meds while carrying on...a little sympathy might come your way.

Good luck, and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Original poster
newmummylucy · 12/12/2024 21:05

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I decided to stay home

Thankyou everyone for your answers

OP posts:
independentfriend · 12/12/2024 20:31

My take is that I don't think anyone would appreciate your germs making them ill next week / into Christmas so you're better staying at home. If there's paper / computer based training you're well enough to do, that might be feasible from home.

gardenflowergirl · 12/12/2024 19:26

If your chest hurts breathing you need to see your GP, you could have pneumonia, so definitely no work tomorrow.

Songbird54321 · 12/12/2024 18:21

People coming into work unwell meant our office had 10+ people off sick last week, the team(s) were decimated and we struggled to cope. I'd think less of someone coming in and spreading illness knowingly than taking a day or two to get better, especially this time of year.
Hope you took the day to recuperate and you're feeling a bit better now OP

Laura95167 · 12/12/2024 18:05

I wouldn't thank you for coming in and sharing it

policetimeisprecious · 12/12/2024 07:39

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JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 11/12/2024 19:22

It's really not a problem to have a day off sick when you're on probation. No one will thank you for spreading your germs around the office just before Christmas.

Go to your GP, get the medication you need and I hope you feel better soon.

babbi · 11/12/2024 19:20

As a manager I’d be very cross that you came to work unwell .
I have a duty of care to you and all your colleagues. I don’t need a sick person taking the team down .
You need to stay off and get better .

Ilikemymenlikeilikemycoffee · 11/12/2024 19:12

The first day was time off with your child so it’s different. If you’re genuinely poorly then take the time you need

AnonyMouse80 · 11/12/2024 19:07

Merry Christmas colleagues - I’ve brought you my chest infection!

Stay home.

StripyHorse · 11/12/2024 18:35

*been at work

StripyHorse · 11/12/2024 18:34

Are you BU to call in sick when you are clearly sick? No

I understand your concerns about being thought badly of, but by not seeing the doctor when you need to, you risk being off longer.

At the very least, call work and tell them you are trying to get an emergency drs apoointment and you may be in later if you feel well enough (if this is a possibility with your job).

If you are feeling crap now with a chest infection, I am guessing you have already been job work coughing and spluttering so calling in sick isn't totally out of the blue.

tinydynamine · 11/12/2024 17:51

By the sound of it you'll need more than a day to recover. Just do it!

Original poster
newmummylucy · 11/12/2024 17:50

Simbaonedaythiswillallbeyours · 11/12/2024 17:45

As a manager, this wouldn't bother me. I have kids so I understand that they need taking care of when they are ill, the one day off in September wouldn't even register.

There are an ungodly number of awful bugs around at the moment. My own workplace has had over 60 incidents of sickness in less than a month, plus I have multiple people signed off with coughs and chest infections. I have dodged everything so far this year, so have my teens. No clue how!

That said, if you make a habit of regular, short term sickness this will get noticed espacially on probation. Sad, but true.

WFH if you can, just to show commitment. If you are ill, you are ill.

Thankyou - unfortunately its not the type of job you can wfh but i'm not the type of person to make a habit of it. Bad timing i guess with new job starting right before flu season

OP posts:
Original poster
newmummylucy · 11/12/2024 17:49

Minihero · 11/12/2024 17:25

Same boat - horrible chesty cough, feel awful. Haven't had a sick day since January but did have a day of when my DS was off sick in May/June. My work/boss is very anti calling in sick, but I feel like I need to rest and am struggling to use my voice.

I hope you feel better soon!

OP posts:
Simbaonedaythiswillallbeyours · 11/12/2024 17:45

As a manager, this wouldn't bother me. I have kids so I understand that they need taking care of when they are ill, the one day off in September wouldn't even register.

There are an ungodly number of awful bugs around at the moment. My own workplace has had over 60 incidents of sickness in less than a month, plus I have multiple people signed off with coughs and chest infections. I have dodged everything so far this year, so have my teens. No clue how!

That said, if you make a habit of regular, short term sickness this will get noticed espacially on probation. Sad, but true.

WFH if you can, just to show commitment. If you are ill, you are ill.

Isobel201 · 11/12/2024 17:40

just call in sick, no need to drag yourself into the office.

Minihero · 11/12/2024 17:25

Same boat - horrible chesty cough, feel awful. Haven't had a sick day since January but did have a day of when my DS was off sick in May/June. My work/boss is very anti calling in sick, but I feel like I need to rest and am struggling to use my voice.

stichguru · 11/12/2024 17:25

If I were your employer I'd rather you don't share your germs. Far easier to have you out for a couple of days this week, than the whole office off next! Plus if I were your team mates, I'd rather not go down with your chest infection. 1 day off since September is not a lot.

coxesorangepippin · 11/12/2024 17:23

Yes, do call in

You're not well

rainbowbee · 11/12/2024 17:13

Please don't take germs into office, especially at this time of year! If you're sick, you're sick. One of ours came in with a streaming cold last week and infected half the team. Your sick days sound unfortunate but not excessive. If your work etc is fine it won't affect probation.

Boomer55 · 11/12/2024 16:54

Printedword · 11/12/2024 15:55

Drag myself in and then go home ill once they have seen you are. I decent line manager/bunch of colleagues will suggest it. Also make a doctors appt

This is the best option.

Original poster
newmummylucy · 11/12/2024 16:42

owlexpress · 11/12/2024 16:34

So did the pharmacist either refer you to the GP or prescribe you antibiotics?

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yes he referred to GP

OP posts:
owlexpress · 11/12/2024 16:34

newmummylucy · 11/12/2024 16:21

Thanks - I was going to go to the GP tomorrow. Ive had pneumonia before afew years ago so I do want to be cautious

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So did the pharmacist either refer you to the GP or prescribe you antibiotics?