If you had a very important meeting in work ...

[smellycarrot]

Infact if you had two very important meeting this week, one that included flying to Ireland to meet a client but you were sick, would you feel bad about phoning in sick?

How do other people deal with being ill when you are senior in your job and flights and hotels have been booked in advance for weeks?

I’m c suite level. If I’m sick then I’m sick. It happens.

You call in sick. My husband’s boss cancelled an expensive trip to NY with him (both had to cancel) because he was unwell. He cancelled another trip when his daughter was ill (adult daughter but v ill in hosp) It happens.

you are replaceable in your job.

Yeah I would postpone the meeting. Not fair on anyone on the plane or the clients. Is there not insurance on the flights? Quick call to the gp maybe needed.

It's no wonder covid spread continents as quick as it did!

I soldiered on to a client meeting when I had flu. I was in my twenties and everyone else had already called in sick (also with flu). I fell asleep in the meeting and probably infected a load of them in time for Christmas. Cancelling would have been more professional. Sometimes you just can't do it.

The real flu absolutely floors you. I can’t even make it to my kitchen with the flu never mind get on a plane and attend meetings.

Gosh if he's got the actual flu then he'd be very selfish to go and infect everyone!!!

I dose up on medication. As would anyone else I know in the profession, and certainly those above me.

They would call in a “jump-in” - a guest contractor who would cover X amount of weeks before they made up an official roster of reinforcements that would do the work for however many months or years it took them to cover the full-time position. It’s sadly a business model used by this industry (entertainment area for reference) all over the world.

They’re not going to have a second person on payroll that does my exact job but is only needed for about a third of the year, just in case I get sick. No part-time concept in the industry either.

And in your world what would your being livid look like?

With the greatest of kindness, surely it’s his decision and not yours? If he feels he should go then take that an indication of him still being ill but well enough.

You steering the outcome can only lead to resentment, it’s not your decision to make or guide, only he knows if he is well enough and it’s him that faces the consequences or otherwise at work.

Man flu - dose up on meds and go

Regular flu - no way I'd spread that to anyone else plus it's so debilitating he won't give a good impression let alone be unable to walk and probably collapse in the terminal.
Phone line manager now. Get a colleague to stand in and change booking names.

It can't be helped. They will know he's a hood reliable guy and not At It.

Can you half-arse it around the meeting? I'm thinking there are times I'm ill but could push myself to attend a one hour meeting and answer a couple of easy emails, but not 8 hours of being fully productive.

It’s not OP it’s her husband who isn’t interested in her advice so certainly wouldn’t be in advice she’s parroting from a load of strangers on mumsnet. She doesn’t need options and ideas about teams etc

If I’m ill I rearrange.

Agreed.

If someone was trying to get my custom, my business, my money... And sat there sniffling, coughing, sweating, looking I'll etc and then I or someone on my team came down with it?

Fuck you and your proposals.

I’m envious of those of you who can dose up on medication and be in a fit state to fly and perform at a big meeting! I have a lung infection after my Christmas dose of flu and can’t move or speak without coughing my brains out - an awful wet phlegmy cough that makes me see stars.

I’ve had to cancel a couple of speaking engagements this week because I’m currently not able to get half a sentence out. 😞

If you are ill, you’re ill - I would cancel. Meetings can always be rescheduled, your health is more important. Get well soon xx

you ant go on a plane wit flu its unfair

I went into a phone shop last year and the guy who came to help me was visibly ill - runny nose, looked haggard, could barely breathe. I considered walking out but said to myself that before covid i wouldn't have thought twice and I must build immunity etc.

I came down with the worst virus I've ever experienced 5 days later and it took me about 8 months to properly shake it. I wish that guy had called in sick.

Depends on the meeting and how I'm really feeling. If I were really floored (and if there was a chance that I'd infect everyone else in the room with me), I'd cancel the flight, but hold it over Zoom. After COVID, clients tend to thank you for not bringing flu into their office, rather than being peeved about the meeting being held online. As for the costs of the cancellation, my firm can afford it so whatever.

Normally I would pull take all the drugs available and get on with it, but that said I remember I had a very important meeting in Denmark once and had to pull out the day before as I and everyone in the house came down with norovirus and I was literally vomiting and/or shitting round the clock. I remember sitting in the bathroom with my laptop cancelling hotels etc. grim.

My husband is a COO of a company and currently on the 2 week pathway for cancer.
the Dr signed him off work and they are managing without him in an ‘ok’ fashion. If anything, it’s making them realise what a fantastic he is and his staff are being wonderfully supporting.

No-on is indispensable.

There needs to be a contingency plan for stuff like this. It's all very well saying 'dose up and get on with it' but it's not inconceivable that somebody might have a serious accident the day before and be unconscious in intensive care. What would happen then?
I'm another one that thinks it would be incredibly selfish to get on a plane with flu, noro, whatever.

I’m in a senior job - it happens and people don’t thank you for spreading the flu!

I assume if he is senior he has a PA who can reschedule meeting, flights etc.

i work with very senior people - who do get sick. Whose parents and children get hospitalized. Meetings are rescheduled for emergencies and illness.

Best wishes to your husband.