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Original poster

I am really ill and I start my graduate job Tuesday HELP

69 replies

Graduateaccountant · 21/07/2019 14:51

I am really really ill. Aches, fever, going hot then cold then hot again, dizziness. I start my graduate role on an accountancy scheme on Tuesday!!! What should I do? There's no way I'll be well enough for then.

OP posts:
Original poster
Graduateaccountant · 21/07/2019 15:44

It's quite a complicated situation as although I start on Tuesday I have to travel down to London from my family home (Midlands) tomorrow.

OP posts:
ohcanada · 21/07/2019 15:44

I would call tomorrow and ask to speak to the person that's expecting you, not just the receptionist or the office manager/HR person.

Explain you can barely get out of bed, so definitely not up for travelling in or doing anything productive.

Apologise for bad timing and let them know you're sorry for it being last minute but you'd expected to feel better by now.

Ask how they'd like to proceed, either you can call in each day with an update and come as soon as you can, or say you are happy to come at a later day that's convenient to them. The person expecting you will need to have a fairly free day I imagine to properly do your induction, so arbitrarily moving it back a week may not work.

ohcanada · 21/07/2019 15:44

I wouldn't explain the moving thing to them, it's not relevant and won't help the situation.

growlingbear · 21/07/2019 15:49

Treat yourself and them with respect. No need to be apologetic. Call them now and tell them you have come down with flu symptoms and think it unlikely you can start on Tuesday and that you would feel irresponsible coming in and spreading such a virus. Please can they delay your start date until the following week to give you time to recover? Then say you are looking forward very much to becoming part of the team.

TemporaryPermanent · 21/07/2019 16:43

Honestly? I would do just about anything to get to work on the first day. Given that you are currently capable of typing, i think you can probsbly make it, although it will ve horrible. Take a cab, take industrial strength meds, do what you have to do. I would rather keel over in the office and get sent home than not turn up on day 1. And I have done that.

Tbh it's 48 hours away- chances are you'll be a lot better.

TemporaryPermanent · 21/07/2019 16:45

Take a cab from the Midlands crack of dawn Tuesday.

GorkyMcPorky · 21/07/2019 16:49

I think you can probably manage more than you think you can and in these circumstances I would just grit your teeth. I've just been diagnosed with glandular fever, having been into work every day for two weeks before insisting on a blood test - it's been really unpleasant but I've done it. That's probably terrible advice but you need to make a good impression.

MyDcAreMarvel · 21/07/2019 16:53

Given that you are currently capable of typing, i think you can probsbly make it,
Don’t be ridiculous there is no comparison, I could type in intensive care but could get to bathroom let alone to a place of work.
And take a cab Really?

Isthisafreename · 21/07/2019 16:56

@GorkyMcPorky - but you need to make a good impression.

Turning up with the flu is really not going to make a good impression.

NeverSayFreelance · 21/07/2019 17:02

Oh my goodness OP same!! I've floored and I start on Tuesday.

Cake for both of us Cake

BlueberryFool123 · 21/07/2019 17:43

OP if you are heading to London. If so is it for one of the Big 4? If yes, take @TemporaryPermanent ‘s advice.

pinegreen · 21/07/2019 17:50

I’m also in the camp of doing everything you can to get there on Day 1.

I can function pretty well on Day Nurse tablets when I’ve had to unavoidably keep working, if you are able to take it then it’s worth trying tomorrow.

Original poster
Graduateaccountant · 21/07/2019 18:00

Do everything I can to get there on day 1 and possibly make myself more ill in the process?

OP posts:
TemporaryPermanent · 21/07/2019 18:07

This is a short term illness. this poster is not in hospital and is capable of typing. If you are capable of typing in intensive care it's because you are being supported by the services available in intensive care (I work on critical care wards at times). This poster doesn't need those services at the moment but is also capable of enough energy and attention/wakefulness to post messages. Therefore I think the chances are that in 36 hours now she will be well enough to stagger through most of a work day.

Why is taking a cab weird advice? It might cost a couple of hundred to get to work. Bad news. But starting a graduate accountancy job it should be feasible to make that money back over a relatively short period.

This is not a random 'if you can walk you can work' post. Not am I saying it will be easy or pleasant. But there is no way to change a first impression in a job like this. Don't be the person who wasn't there on the first day unless you are in hospital.

Patroclus · 21/07/2019 18:11

I would just tell them a soon as possible, then it wont seem like you've suddenly backed out on the day and they have time to replan

NerrSnerr · 21/07/2019 18:12

Take a cab from the Midlands crack of dawn Tuesday.

How much do you think that would cost?

I would see how you're feeling tomorrow afternoon and go from there. You may be feeling a bit better tomorrow and much better Tuesday.

Patroclus · 21/07/2019 18:13

And if you can try and see a doctor. I did it online the other day and had an appointment within the next hour

Patroclus · 21/07/2019 18:16

I would lok at this differently. If an employee was that ill but didnt tell me at such an important time I would be even less impressed.

Needtobuythecatawashcloth · 21/07/2019 18:26

I had a similar thing but with a badly timed sickness bug and the first day of a training contract. With hindsight, struggling into work just half an hour after I'd stopped vomiting was a terrible idea. I looked like shit, couldn't really concentrate and (after I'd had to admit why I looked half-dead) people were visibly reluctant to go near me. I must have managed to create a better impression in the end, but it was a very unprofessional way to start in that role.

TemporaryPermanent · 21/07/2019 18:26

I was made to sack someone where the first sign of trouble was that he didn't turn up on the first day. He'd interviewed brilliantly. I did everything for that kid including lending him money for a week's train fare. He was a waster. The poster isn't, obviously. The problem is that your managers have no way of knowing you're not in that category because they don't know you yet. You're putting yourself on the back foot. in a job that you clearly will have worked your arse off to get. I'm on your side, honestly.

Uber says taxi might be 230 quid. Obviously if you can find another way, do - maybe taxis to the station and just snooze on the train, maybe a lift. But if there's a possibility if getting there, do it.

pinegreen · 21/07/2019 18:30

Do everything I can to get there on day 1 and possibly make myself more ill in the process?

You’re not exactly going down the coal mines! You’re going into an environment where at best you will spend most of the week reading and observing meetings.

The other issue is that half of the office will be about to start taking 2 weeks annual leave at the end of next week so you may well make it difficult for them if you defer a week - our program starts in September for this reason.

Original poster
Graduateaccountant · 21/07/2019 18:34

I can't sit up, I'm lying on my bed typing. I'm really dizzy.

OP posts:
Needtobuythecatawashcloth · 21/07/2019 18:51

My field isn't the same as yours (law not accountancy) but my personal experience is that the biggest red flag in graduates is failure to communicate. I'd be concerned that someone who tries to work through a genuine case of flu because they're afraid of people thinking badly of them is someone who is going to struggle to admit when they're in over their head, and that leads to mistakes and burn-out. Also, I assume that if it's a graduate scheme, they're investing a lot of money in you and it's going to be a marathon, not a sprint?

I hope you feel better soon, anyway Flowers

twirlypoo · 21/07/2019 18:55

Is this your first job OP? I might be reading between the lines but I get impression you want us all to tell you not to go in. You still have 2 more nights sleep before you have to go in, a lot can change in that time!

I’ve managed many people over the years and this would honestly ring alarm bells for me, and rightly or wrongly, I wouldn’t be impressed. I’ve experienced many people over the years who take the piss with sickness, and in your shoes I would be doing everything in my power not to lump myself in with them in my bosses eyes. You have no track record to fall back on, so you need to man up if you can and do your best to get in.

VirginiaCreeper · 21/07/2019 19:03

Do everything I can to get there on day 1 and possibly make myself more ill in the process.
Did you have a lot of time off sick from school / college/uni? Is this your first job? Serious illness or accident ok but it really doesn't look good when someone calls in sick with a virus on the first day.
I agree with those who say grit your teeth and go in. It's just a bug.