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Original poster

Can't afford to be sick!

26 replies

blessedbethechocolate · 03/11/2021 06:27

Hi sorry for the moan but is anyone else in this position and how do you deal with it?

I work in a very physically demanding job where I spend most of the day outside rain or shine (often getting hurt by the people I work with) I have been dragging myself into work the last two days but just feel awful. This morning I'm aching all over and can't stop coughing. My lateral flows are still showing negative so I'm guessing it's just a bad cold. I don't get paid sick leave (unless it's Covid related) so I just can't afford to have a day off to rest as I'm a single mum of three and my pay just covers the bills.

So I'm guessing my real question is does anyone have any tips for just making it through the day?

OP posts:
EllieLeopard · 03/11/2021 06:38

Have you booked your PCR?
Lateral flows are not reliable enough to confirm you don’t have covid. If you can get to a test centre in the next few hours you should have the results by the morning.

AvocadoAndToast · 03/11/2021 06:39

Sorry you are feeling so poorly and have the stress of work.
Firstly, if you have symptoms of covid, which you do, you need to go and get a pcr test and not return to work until that comes back negative. Lateral flow tests aren’t accurate for for symptomatic cases. If you do have covid there is a government scheme for payment.
Do you not have any sick pay at work? What is the policy? It could also be flu or another contagious virus.
I can’t imagine they want you in coughing all over everyone and feeling too unwell to work. Maybe pre covid but not now.

xyzandabc · 03/11/2021 06:41

You have symptoms so should be doing s PCR test not lateral flows. Surely if you are awaiting results of a PCR, that would count as covid related absence. Book yourself a PCR test this morning.

EnidFrighten · 03/11/2021 06:42

Why is it you don't get paid sick leave, is it a zero hours type job?

I'm sorry you're in this situation op, it sounds shit Flowers

Original poster
blessedbethechocolate · 03/11/2021 06:42

I'm still working my 28 week probationary period so don't get any sick pay unless I have Covid. So flu or anything else you don't get paid for.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 03/11/2021 06:43

Please get a PCR test. Lateral flow tests shouldn't be used if you already have symptoms.

Why are the people you work with hurting you?

R0tational · 03/11/2021 06:44

Poor you! Yes to test but also, poor you Sad

Harlequin1088 · 03/11/2021 06:44

I'm self-employed so I don't get sick pay either. I also work outside all day, so my heart goes out to you.

Agree with other posters that you should get a PCR test to double-check you've not got Covid.

For non-Covid illness, it's really difficult with things like coughs and colds as I find I just have to suck it up and get into work and just get through the day. For more serious illness, I have an income protection insurance policy that pays out providing I'm off sick for more than a week, which doesn't really help with a cold but was a lifeline earlier this year when I was hospitalised and couldn't work for 3 weeks.

hellcatspangle · 03/11/2021 06:45

Book a pcr and tell them you have covid symptoms so you can't go in until you get the result, that'll buy you a bit of time.

If it is a cold get some day nurse capsules, they are the only things that work for me. Pholcodiene linctus for the cough.

Itsnotgreatlike · 03/11/2021 06:49

I appreciate you have money worries, but it's not fair to your colleagues to come to work and cough over them, even more so with Covid.

But for yourself, if you end up with bronchitis or pneumonia or similar, your money worries will be far worse than if you try to recuperate for a couple of days now. Sadly I speak from experience...

Itsnotgreatlike · 03/11/2021 06:51

'Coughing over them' is just a turn of phrase, I do understand that you're not deliberately coughing on anyone.

Original poster
blessedbethechocolate · 03/11/2021 06:53

For the person asking why I get hurt the Children I look after have severe behavioural difficulties.

I didn't realise lateral flows don't work for symptoms my boss seems to think if they are clear you're fine. We wear masks all day at work so I'm not coughing over anyone.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 03/11/2021 06:53

As the others have said, get a PCR.
If you want an extra bit of time, order a home test. It won't be delivered until tomorrow then can take up to 2 days to come back which will get you to the weekend.

NerrSnerr · 03/11/2021 06:54

I know it's rubbish but you need to get a PCR and isolate until it's clear. In our area it's taking less than 24 hours at the moment so you may only need to take one day off.

What kind of job is it? Are you a carer or working with children?

NerrSnerr · 03/11/2021 06:55

Cross posts- it's with children.

I would be raging if I found out someone working with my children is caring for them, with symptoms and have not done a test. If you have covid you could pass it on to all of them.

ChangingStates · 03/11/2021 06:59

I work in a school. Lateral flows are fine for checking if you do not have symptoms. So if a member of staff has a sore throat/feels under the weather etc provided they have a negative lateral flow they can come to work. If the have a cough or temperature they must not come into work and must do a PCR even if lateral flow is negative. This is very clear in the guidance for education settings. As you have a cough could you be off with Covid symptoms, therefore paid, while you get a PCR & wait for the results?

ANameChangeAgain · 03/11/2021 07:01

I'm in the same situation, my dh and I are self employed, work outdoors (farm) and we cannot have a sick day. The big difference in our case is that we won't spread our bugs to others, so its all well and good being stoic when you work alone, but not when you share facilities with others.
DH worked through Covid when really he should have been in bed. If we're unwell we just have to plough through it or livestock suffers. I'm a strong believer that working outdoors leaves you less likely to be ill from viruses. We've picked up colds, viruses, bugs, Covid, Novovirus, but having to be outdoors seems to blow it away and speed up recovery, which will perhaps help in your case?

Original poster
blessedbethechocolate · 03/11/2021 07:10

I've booked a test and called work. Fingers crossed it's negative.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 03/11/2021 07:15

Well done, and fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
blessedbethechocolate · 04/11/2021 10:51

Hi just thought I'd update you all. My test came back negative.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 04/11/2021 11:29

Fab news. I hope you feel better soon.

Flubbah · 04/11/2021 11:36

I was in the same situation for five years. My employer made us all be “self employed” via an agency so they didn’t have to pay sick leave or maternity etc. I used to drag myself to work even when I was dying. Drugs are the solution - maximum dose of paracetamol and lots of caffeine. Lemsip is good because it contains both.

Auntieobem · 04/11/2021 13:02

@RampantIvy

Fab news. I hope you feel better soon.
Except its not fab news because OP won't get sick pay for anything other than covid
SomeoneSomewhere21 · 04/11/2021 13:04

I’ve been in that position where I had to go back to work too early following major surgery as I just could not afford to be off work.
It’s a horrible feeling I know.
Hope you feel better soon.

Stompythedinosaur · 04/11/2021 13:05

My guess is you work in care. I do too.

Being brutally honest, my advice is to look for a job that treats its employees in a more decent way.