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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To call in sick to work when you’re sick

169 replies

Linzdashluna · 25/08/2026 10:40

Last week, I called in sick on Tuesday and Wednesday as I couldn’t get out of bed. I tried on the Wednesday, got up, had a shower with the intention of at least trying and seeing if I perked up, but had to keep getting into bed after each thing I did, I felt dreadful so called in again.

My colleague has Thursday and Fridays off so I didn’t see her again until yesterday and she was making digs at me for being off. Saying things like “I was so poorly last week, but I came in because you just have to get on with it” and “I never have time off because I don’t think it’s fair to the team” I said if she was so ill she should have also called in. She said “no, my mum always said if you can walk, you can work” I ignored her but this morning she’s saying stuff again. She won’t stop complaining about how ill she feels but I don’t know what to say because she won’t call in sick so if you’re deciding to get on with it, do that then and stop moaning about it. She said “last week was awful when you were off because I was so unwell and had to do your work as well. I just think there’s people out there who have it worse” what kind of a take is this??? Are there other people out there who actually think like this? We have sick days and sick pay for a reason. If you’re not well enough to work, use them. I don’t understand the problem

OP posts:
MyPurpleHeart · 25/08/2026 11:07

I run a company and my rule (for myself) is if I can get in and get on then its business as usual. If I'm contagious then I stay away until I'm not.

As far as I'm concerned my staff are adults and will make the decision as to whether they are too sick to work or not. Unless its a repeated pattern, its no one else's business. Its between you and your manager.

Little important detail is that we don't have any sick pay. Its SSP from day 1. If you are willing to lose money you are either genuinely sick or its an expensive duvet day.

iamnotalemon · 25/08/2026 11:07

Just ask her if she would like to repeat that in front of HR and she will soon shut up.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 25/08/2026 10:59

She is ridiculous.

Honestly I think if I were you, I could be petty about this and match her energy. Next time you are talking to someone else and she is there you could say that you were so sick and it was a virus, must be going around, apparently some people are coming to work while sick and spreading this virus, it harms productivity at work and is very selfish etc etc.

Mumsntfan1 · 25/08/2026 10:59

I've never called in sick. I find it odd that other people do on a regular basis but I wouldn't say anthing to them.

Wickedwhiskers · 25/08/2026 10:57

Definitely ignore her. If she wants to go in (spreading germs) while she's sick then that's uo to her. In my eyes she's harassing you and you have every right to complain to your line manager about her.

BibbityBoppityTwo · 25/08/2026 10:55

I have no time for people who come in sick spreading their germs around. Take a few days off and save everyone else having to when they come down with your wretched illness.

ghostyslovesheets · 25/08/2026 10:55

Oh just ignore her or say something like ‘I’d rather stay home than spread my germs around the office’, no one hands out medals for coming in and giving the entire office a bug!

THisbackwithavengeance · 25/08/2026 10:54

YANBU. I’ve told hacking, spluttering, sneezing and nose streaming colleagues to fuck off home before now as I don’t want to catch what they’ve got. I’d rather do the extra work.

Iocanepowder · 25/08/2026 10:53

Yeah she’s an idiot. You should rest when you’re ill.

At my last company, i went 6 years without having a day off sick and they still made me redundant. No medal full attendance. Take the sick time.

JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 25/08/2026 10:53

The work police are a pita and boring.

ContractorQuestion · 25/08/2026 10:51

You should feel sorry for your colleague, she obviously has a poor work life balance and an unhealthy approach to life.
You were too ill to work so you - appropriately and correctly - took sick leave.
Don’t give it another thought and tune out her dreary comments.

TappyGilmore · 25/08/2026 10:51

I was exactly the same as that last week and had to call in sick on Wednesday and Thursday. And I am not someone who takes sick days normally - I don’t know when I last took a sick day. Even with Covid I didn’t need sick days (obviously worked from home).

Anyway your colleague sounds like an idiot. Just ignore her.

RosesAndHellebores · 25/08/2026 10:49

I'm of the "if you can walk, get washed and dressed, keep a cup of tea down ilk". If that's the case, I'm fine when I get there and I din't tell anyone I feel ill or criticise them for taking time off.

With V&D or influenza I have never been able to go get washed and dressed or keep down a cup of tea. Anyone who claims they can has a cold or tummy ache.

MathiasBroucek · 25/08/2026 10:49

She's an idiot. It's not for her to judge whether you are well enough to work

professionalcommentreader · 25/08/2026 10:45

Tell her if sick colleagues didn’t insist on pushing through and acting like a martyr illnesses wouldn’t spread around.

ladyb2gw · 25/08/2026 10:44

People who was obviously ill and contagious coming into work does my head in. I’m not talking about calling in sick for every sniffle but if you are ill you are ill and no one will thank you for spreading your germs.

OnlyGreenClothes · 25/08/2026 10:43

I don't understand the martyrs either. If I feel too ill to work, I don't go to work, I call in. If it's D&V, or flu, you are putting your colleagues at risk of sickness too If you go in.

Stopthattrain · 25/08/2026 10:43

She’s an idiot. You did the right thing. I would consider bringing it up with your line manager if she keeps giving you grief, she’s acting like a martyr just because she’s too thick to look after herself properly. She probably wasn’t even ill and just wants to moan.

daisyydaisyy · 25/08/2026 10:42

If youre ill, you’re ill. Ignore her she’s being awful.