2 lots of absence in first 2 months at work is shit isn’t it

[Driftingthoughlife]

Basicly I work with a young girl with multiple disabilities who has a lowered immune system. This means if we have any hint of being infectious we have to stay away. This morning I stared being sick. This is my second lot of sickness since starting the job 2 months which has never happened to me before so close together. I can’t take an antisickness pill and drag myself in because of the risk to the girl I look after
Work seemed fine when I ring but it looks shit doesn’t it.

If you have to stay away because of another colleagues immune system that's no fault of yours (no fault of anyone). Option to work from home on these occasions?

I work caring for the girl with the lowered immune system. The slightest infection and she ends up in hospital

So she isn't your colleague, caring for her is actually your job? Who cares for her if you can't manage?

If you’re vomiting you shouldn’t be going to work regardless of whether you work with or for someone with a compromised immune system. Keep your viruses at home! 48 hour rule is there for a reason.

Whwen you say 'work with' do you mean you are her carer or TA or nurse, or she is working along side you ?

So you look after her in a support/care role? Can’t you arrange to swap clients with another colleague? I agree it’s not your fault if you’re ill and obviously you can’t risk this girl’s health but you’re going to get bugs, common colds etc and I would have thought your employer would want to have a better system in place than you having to have a sick day for every minor illness.

It does look a bit rubbish yes but if your genuinely ill and you can’t work becuase of the girls immune system, then what can you do.

A 48 hour symptom-free rule is pretty standard in lots of places.

Sympathies OP, it’s not the greatest start but hopefully if you’re not usually this unlucky there’s no reason to think you may rack up any more.

I can sympathise. I've only been in my current job a few months and have had four separate absences in the space of one month due to sickness. This is a dream job for me and I feel it must reflect terribly on how reliable I look.

Colleagues have said it's just one of those things and can't be helped and Ive done my best to do extra duties and put in lots of effort so they know I'm taking things seriously.

to you though, it does feel crap!

They must be pretty used to it to be honest - if she’s that vulnerable then it must be standard for her carers to have to stay away.

Sounds like bad luck combined with a genuine reason to stay away, it happens. Focus on getting yourself better and know that you have done the right thing.

There are 6 carers all together on a team that all support one girl. We work for the family and we do cover each other’s shifts. I have already covered loads of shifts and I have offered to cover shifts next week to make up for shifts lost this week.