2nd day of new job calling in sick ????

[xogossipgirlxo]

I’m mortified. I had bit of cold yesterday, took paracetamol and ibuprofen, went to my first day at new job. You know what it’s like, adrenaline keeps you going, but I came home and felt really really run down. I barely slept at night, because meds didn’t really work. I know it’ll look bad calling in sick on my second day but I’m genuinely ill, my temperature is about 39C, my throat is aching so much, shivers, headache, my face feels really tender to touch on my cheeks like it is with sinusitis. Are they going to think I’m taking the mickey? I was so upbeat yesterday, really enjoyed my first day, I’m gutted today😢

It happened to me a long time ago !! My 2nd day in new job and I was so ill dragged myself out of bed went in ! So embarrassed being sent straight home . Went to GP next day(obviously in the days when you could get an urgent same day appointment) it was shingles had to stay off for 3 weeks but my job was still there when I went back ! And I stayed there for 18 years !!

You really shouldn’t go in. Get well soon.

This - your new colleagues are not going to be very happy with you spreading your germs. Stay at home.

Do not take antibiotics. Colds are caused by viruses and antibiotics will have no affect as they are for the treatment of bacterial infections. They can cause unnecessary side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance. It's best to rest, hydrate, take salt water gargles for sore throat, ibuprofen and paracetamol for pain and fever.

Shocked by some posts. Yes of course you stay home. Maybe it isn't ideal that it's your second day - but you have the rest of your time there to show them how serious you are and this will be forgotten. You did the right thing. Some people are unhinged. Hope you are feeling better.

And spread it all around.

If you want your job = go to work, they will send you home, but at least they can see you’re ill.

otherwise, take the day off and you won’t make it past probation. That’s because all employers assume people throwing a sickie are skivers, lazy, deceitful people playing the system.

you wouldn’t believe the amount of people who think throwing a sickie is acceptable. Until they are laid off, not promoted, don’t get the bonus etc.

sick = skiving, lazy, deceitful people gaming the system.

Digression but do adults get more sick now days?

In my parents’ era, people used to get commendations for working for X Co for ten years and never being off sick.

Not so much in my era or afterwards.

I’m wondering what the medical reasons behind it could be, assuming I’m right.

Not necessarily this post, but I think people call in sick more for things they wouldn’t have before.

Last time I was off sick was 5 years ago, I’d had an operation. The time before that I was throwing up every 5 minutes. I remember the specifics because it’s so vanishingly rare.

My mum was very much of the belief that unless actually hospitalised, have a good day at school. If I rang in sick with a cold, even now, she’d at least raise an eyebrow.

I honestly think people keep their kids off for things we’d have just had to get on with, and stay off themselves for far more minor reasons.

Might be people being more aware of their health and wellbeing, might also be people being… less resilient.

Sorry you are Ill but for me as an employer I would have lost faith in your reliability there and then. Day 2........

I would prefer people arrive and be sent home. I had someone off sick with less than an hours notice last week (so Ill apparently) back next day and there wasn't a single cough, sneeze or need to blow nose or take meds throughout the whole of the next day !

I on the other hand had to deal with angry customers whilst trying to do 3 school runs and the possibility of negative feedback, juggle the extra work, park my plans and have a mini meltdown. Sorry but in my day we took some paracetamol and got on with it, if our legs weren't hanging off etc.

For those saying best not to go in for the sake of co workers, you are just as likely to catch something in a supermarket imo.

Hmm. Interesting thought. My two pence is that during our parents era (and before), stay at home mothers were the norm. Fewer children at nursery = fewer illnesses being brought home.

In the last couple of months I've had norovirus, followed by covid, followed by norovirus again, all brought home from nursery by my youngest. Thankfully my symptoms were mostly suffered over non working days/weekends, but if I worked full time and in a job where I had to be in an office (rather than WFH), I would have had to take a number of days sick (rather than just 1.5 days for covid).

OP, it's fairly unusual for an adult to have a fever with just a cold. I'd take a covid and/or flu test. (When I had similar symptoms about a month ago, it was covid).

She probably caught it from a colleague on her first day.

Absolute rubbish. She’s got a temperature ffs. I can’t stand martyrs like you that insist on infecting everyone. Op I hope you feel better soon

It’s an awful start to spread flu around!
A common cold wouldn’t make her feel that bad with that sort of temp

People cant take time off work each time they get a cold. Everyone would love to i am sure, but thats just not how it works when you are an employee. Everyone has "their turn" coming in when they are sick. We all just have to put up with it. Its obvious people aren't dragging themselves into work while sick just for a jolly.

She doesn't have a cold, it's a bit worse than that as she has a temperature. That's when you stay at home for a day or two to minimise spreading it around.

Most healthy people probably get about one snotty nose cold a year, I know I do. But no temperature and I don't need to take time off for a cold. I can usually still exercise gently with a cold, depends how my sinuses are.

Not quite the same timing but I ended up hospitalised and needing emergency gallbladder surgery 2 weeks into a new job, so I was off for 2 weeks. I felt bloody awful about it and was convinced they’d think I was taking the mick (even though I was literally in hospital) and even tried to go back earlier than my sick note but they were so understanding. It can’t be helped.

Isn't the fact people got commendations for it a sign that it wasn't average or expected?

can’t believe how many people are saying go in? Just spread it to everyone in the office and on your entire commute!? I’d just tell them the truth and say you still really want the job!

Hope you’re feeling better… you absolutely can get mastitis even when not BF!
sadly I had it several times with both babies (who are 7 years apart) and several times over the year between them (thankfully not after my 2nd)
I thought the same as you… it’s no common but is absolutely possible (horribly)
also loads of flu type germs wiping people out atm.
right decision to stay home.. if you’d have struggled in on your 2nd day sick , not a soul in there would thank /welcome you for it!
feel better super soon x

This happened to me - on the very first day of a new job. Felt increasingly unwell, banging headache. Went home early with lots of apologies. I was bluelighted to hospital the next day with meningitis. I spent a week in hospital and had a month off sick. A terrible way to start a new job!

Just push on through and go in. Maybe you will be sent home and get credit for trying.

If you’re well enough to post about it on Mumsnet, you’re well enough to go into work I’d say…

You’re well enough to write about it, I’d go in. Too much of a bad look. Good luck!