Starting new job but so ill - what to do?

[LorettaYoung]

I'm a mature student pivoting to a new career and recently sucessfully got a part time job as a tutor due to start this Sunday.

But my god I feel awful, bedridden and slept most of the day with some awful virus. Even typing now I feel like I will probably need to go for another nap soon. Today was meant to be my lesson planning day.

I obviously want to make a first good impression. What do I do here, explain I'm ill and offer the following weekend to the parents, apologising for the delay? Or do I hope I'm better by the weekend? I worry that if I wait too long to cancel that looks bad too.

Sorry you're unwell, but you still have three full days to recover - seems a bit early to be throwing in the towel when more likely than not you'll be well again for Sunday?

Sorry that you’re feeling unwell.

i think you may be worrying a bit too early.
if it were me, I’d wait until Saturday and hope to improve. If you don’t, you can let them know and say you’d hoped to be better but unfortunately not.

there are a lot of nasty viruses around at the moment so it’s totally plausible. And hopefully it will pass for you x

Maybe leave until tomorrow and see how you feel then? If still feeling awful you could email to say you just want to give them the heads up you are unwell, you’re hoping to feel better for Sunday and will confirm by Saturday if you’re able to go ahead or not.

It's only weds. You'll probably still feel unwell on Sunday but hopefully well enough to work.

It’s only wednesday, you might be better by Sunday. Plan on Saturday, but first tutor session could be going through the topics and finding out where work is most needed, and coming up with a plan, then a soft start in to the work.

yeah, maybe I am over worrying early. I am just worried that cancelling a day before will look like a last minute cancellation and have me off to a very bad start.

I also said I would send more instructions in the next couple of days but I don't have a functioning brain to do this really.

@PearlRiver yeah - maybe I should give them a heads up. Just can't believe my luck - fine all winter season and the week I'm starting this job!

it's 2 days later and I'm not better yet. I have a low grade fever and chesty cough although it's a lot better than it was. I can eat a bit more.

Still considering forcing myself into it Sunday and collapsing after - equally I don't want to make a terrible first impression. I am worried about cancelling but also worried about not getting through the tutoring time compos mentis.

@LorettaYoung message them, explaining that you're ill, but that if at all possible you'd still like the lesson to go ahead, but offer it free of charge and explain this is because you will probably not be at your best.

Is this 121 tutoring or online? I do postgrad tutoring online and sometimes do feel lousy from time to time as I am old and often in pain. I usually manage to power through the session (as I charge quite high fees) so dont want to let my students down. f I feel I cant do the session I contact the student beforehand and offer them another slot with a slight cost reduction for the inconvenience. Can you use AI to help you plan the lesson? I use it massively.

yes, not all lessons are, but with this particular student it is online.

I think part of my stress is that it's my first ever lesson with the company. And I thought i'd have all week to become familiar with the platform I'll be using. but I've been able to do nothing but sleep.

Maybe I will ask for AI's help this time. I can't offer cost reductions as the company offers a set rate.