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Original poster

To take the rest of the week off sick?

40 replies

Emiliex1o · 16/07/2025 19:21

So I’m that person who hates calling in sick, I will work sick, I get anxiety if I have to be off sick.

Yesterday I was sent home because they thought I had Covid; I don’t, I took a test. However I’m feeling grotty and have a weird tightness in my chest, cold symptoms etc.

I still feel grim this evening, so will likely be off tomorrow too which I’ve made my manager aware of. She's very chill about this and has said to not return until I am fully well again but why do I feel so anxious about it?!

I’m freaking out about the whole, what if I’m not even well by Friday?

I haven’t had a day off for sickness in 10 months and I almost feel like punishing myself for it - wild I know! Anyone else get these feelings?

OP posts:
Original poster
Emiliex1o · 16/07/2025 19:39

@owlexpress I mean, I have a three year old, so back when she started nursery it felt like I was sick every month because she kept passing things onto me!

Some people, I.e. my husband hasn’t had a sick day in nearly 15 years of work, so in that sense, yeah 10 months doesn’t sound a lot 😂

OP posts:
DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 16/07/2025 19:38

OurBeautifulBaby · 16/07/2025 19:24

Why do people still test? If you’re unwell you’re unwell.

Because we have about twenty tests left in the cupboard and we are sometimes curious. My husband had to take a daily test for work so we had quite a lot in when testing was no longer needed. None of the tests have shown Covid when we test our illnesses though for years, i do wonder if the tests can even identify the new strains.

owlexpress · 16/07/2025 19:34

It baffles me that after years of living through a pandemic people still don't realise that covid was dangerous because it was novel, not because it necessarily causes severe symptoms. Other viruses can make you feel worse than covid.

So if you're ill, you're ill. Covid isn't the be all and end all. I hate calling in sick too, but better to have two days off sick to rest and be fit for next week than struggle in, be unproductive and potentially infect your colleagues.

Just me that doesn't think 10 months with no sick day is particularly long?

Laura95167 · 16/07/2025 19:32

I get them but tbh when my colleagues are ill id rather they were home because they aren't as efficient so I cover a bit anyway and I risk catching their germs. And I dont begrudge them being ill so I try and talk myself into being as kind and understanding to myself as I would be to them

hollyblueivy · 16/07/2025 19:32

I am the same. I don’t know why.

Original poster
Emiliex1o · 16/07/2025 19:31

@Minniliscious I will attempt to channel this energy!

OP posts:
Original poster
Emiliex1o · 16/07/2025 19:31

@Momstermash94 I’m exactly the same!

OP posts:
Minniliscious · 16/07/2025 19:29

I couldn’t care less about going off sick - if I’m unwell, I’m unwell.

Momstermash94 · 16/07/2025 19:28

Calling in sick gives me so much anxiety. I spend the whole time I'm off sick panicking and anxious that they are all mad at me, and when I return to work I feel sheepish. I don't know why! I am always genuinely unwell! 🙈 even when I have a doctors note I usually go back early and before I am ready tbh because I can't handle the anxiety

Original poster
Emiliex1o · 16/07/2025 19:27

@Iloveeverycat literally don’t know why I feel like this! Drives me mad 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Emiliex1o · 16/07/2025 19:27

@Nachoinseachthu ehy? Because I enjoy my work and feel guilty letting people down? Oops, sorry.

OP posts:
Iloveeverycat · 16/07/2025 19:26

I had symptoms of covid for 4 days before I tested positive. Is it worth testing again. I am the same I feel guilty if I am ill. I hardly ever have any time off at all but if you do feel bad don't go in and try not to feel guilty.

Original poster
Emiliex1o · 16/07/2025 19:26

@OurBeautifulBaby because I was asked to by my employer due to vulnerable people in my office.

OP posts:
Nachoinseachthu · 16/07/2025 19:25

You sound so wound up perhaps taking the rest of the week off might be good for you…

OurBeautifulBaby · 16/07/2025 19:24

Why do people still test? If you’re unwell you’re unwell.