I hate phoning in sick to work, and second guessing myself if I should just go in. But I'm really not well.

[MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel]

Came down unwell yesterday, temp at 39. Paracetamol is bringing it down to mid 38. Have had 5 hours of broken sleep, throat and chest are raw. Eyes are stinging and being vertical is making me dizzy.

I'm also sweating like mad and my job involves talking to angry customers all day on the phone.

I want to call in sick, but I feel so guilty about it and always feel like I'm making a fuss. I know my Manager will be fine about it. I can't even work from home, not that I think I could manage that either.

I need to drive DD10 to school as well, as her teacher isn't striking and even that is worrying me.

Anyone else always feels like this when you need to call in sick?

I had quite a bit of time off last year, not due to illness but rather several traumatic bereavements, but its making me feel guilty needing more time off.

Yes I always feel guilty, no idea why. I think it depends on how much time you have off overall. I’m rarely off sick so shouldn’t feel guilty whereas I have colleagues who are often off sick and are now being monitored by HR. Sickness is different to bereavement though

Phone in,get it done. Load up paracetamol take dd to school,see if anyone can bring her back
on return jump into bed,keep hydrated,take analgesia…and try relax

I think most people worry about ringing in sick. Our ingrained idea of 'good manners' is to tell people we are 'very well, thank you' so phoning up and telling someone who isn't a close friend or family that you're feeling terrible and have x, y and z symptoms goes against what we are conditioned to do.

You certainly don't sound well enough to go in, from what you say, so just grit your teeth and make the call.

Is there anyone who could take your DD in as a one-off - another school mum or a family member?

Yes, it’s awful ringing in sick, you do feel guilty but relieved after as it cannot be helped. Do you know anyone who could take your DC to school.

Phone one sick and either get another parent to go the school run or she misses school

No one to drive DD in, as we live in a different town to the school.

My friend might be able to do the pick up, but I definitely will need to drive her in.

It's that feeling of letting work down I think. We're massively short staffed at the moment so every person counts. I just need a couple of days off I think.

I'm drinking huge amounts of water just to cope with the throat, so no way I can spend 8 hours talking..

Aww it’s awful op, I’m sure your colleagues will be grateful you’re not coughing and spluttering on them. I work somewhere with a very understanding sickness policy and you get full pay, it really fucks me off when people drag themselves in to spread the illness around!

If you're massively short staffed in work then I'm sure they'd appreciate you not coming in and giving what you have to the whole team.

No issue there, I actually work in an office on my own. We're a national service so my team is spread out between Manchester, crewe, Sheffield, Bristol and Southampton.

I literally sit in an entire wing of the building, by myself, on a bank of desks for 8 people.

I have a chronic pain condition so actually I'm used to working when I feel like shit, because I feel crappy all the time..

But this cold feels absolutely hellish..

I know I need to call in, gah, I just feel like a wimp 😆

I'm a manager and if you turned up like that I'd be sending you straight home again.

Could you send your daughter in a taxi and ask your friend to collect?

I feel your pain OP I'm in exactly the same position - trying to work out if I can get through the day. I had 'flu just before Christmas and I've only been in my job for 6 months so feel massively worried. But also feel like absolute shit - fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat etc. I don't know what to do.

Another one here feeling like crap and I’m going to ring in sick. I hate it too but I don’t want to pass it on to others and I know my body needs to rest today.

I hate it too. And every single time I go back too early and end up being sent home. They must wonder why the hell I don't just stay off in the first place!

You don't sound in a fit state to work so get the call done and go back to sleep.

Sorry you're feeling crap too. Being unwell just sucks, and is highly inconvenient.

It's like, I could drag myself to work and just attempt to cope and not get any sick marks but likely be unwell for longer. Or take a couple of days off to rest and probably get well quicker, but have sickness marks..

I've been with the company for many years, and not to blow my own trumper but I am the top performer, so I know my Manager will be understanding as I'm far from a slacker and have been covering for some of the other people off.

I will call in, I cannot work today. I know that.

Well, I did it. I called in.

Feel massively guilty now 😭

Just try to get some sleep as soon as you can - you'll feel better after a rest.

I went back to work yesterday, working from home. Felt AWFUL by the time I finished. I just took a covid test and it's positive..

If I call in sick again it will count as 2 episodes of sickness, but I feel terrible.

I've not been in all week. Taken 2 COVID tests - both negative. I almost wish it was COVID so I'd feel more justified in being off.

I'm attempting to wfh, although am spending my lunch break in bed.

I had Tuesday off, returned Wednesday and am now off again 🙄 Just to say I had 2 negative tests on older style tests which were a month out of date. Bought a new test and it is positive. I bought another test as I knew the cough sounded exactly like last time I had Covid. Are your tests in date?

@Emdubz I hadn't thought of that but have just checked and the tests are in date

Ah ok, worth checking though as I hadn’t realised initially with mine.