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To call in sick to work when you’re sick

181 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:
Natsku · 07/09/2026 09:20

Mumsntfan1 · 07/09/2026 08:56

Yes, but that doesn't explain average of 4 days in the UK and 20 days in Germany.

The strictness in the UK explains it a fair amount, if you risk losing your job for being off sick too often you'd just drag yourself in sick if its at all possible.

JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 07/09/2026 19:05

I got a real humdinger of a chest infection hospital wanted to admit me.
All because a hero I've never had a day off in ten years.
Honestly I wanted to kick his balls in to oblivion.

Oioiqueen · 07/09/2026 20:03

I'd worked for a company for about 3 years and never had a sick day. The once I had D&V on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far. I came back after 24 hours off to the office bitch "what did you do yesterday skiving off work in the gorgeous weather we had?" like WTAF, I was speechless.

Loubelou71 · 07/09/2026 20:14

Tell her unless they add Martyr to your job description then you're fortunate to be paid whilst your poorly so you'll be fair to others and choose not to spread the germs around. If she falls off her high horse I hope she still manages to limp to work. What a cow she sounds.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 07/09/2026 20:16

Ignore her.

She sounds like an idiot. She definitely doesn’t get to dictate to you.

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 07/09/2026 21:58

I think it's rare you're so sick you can't do a bit from bed (if you're able to wfh) but agree that if you're sick you're sick

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