Feeling guilty for being ill

[BlueOtter9]

4 th week in a new job and I had to call in sick. I work in education and I was up all night vomiting and I got out of bed and collapsed. I feel so guilty for calling in sick but I had no choice. Then I made an error and called in at 7 am not at the cut off 6:30 am. Stupid me. So now I’ve spent all day panicking that I’ve messed up. I managed to send resources in for the day but I feel like I’ve let everyone down so badly. It’s not even that I’ve been there long enough to call in sick and I worry what everyone’s thinking will think of me.

It's frustrating, but nothing you could do. The 6.30am thing will just to be sure that cover requests are definitely in by the time admin staff are in. 7am will have been fine. Hope you feel better soon.

I’m just worried I’ve annoyed them. I hate this feeling.

Try to slightly reframe it that they won't personally be annoyed with you. They may be frustrated at the inconvenience. But they would be the same for anyone being off sick. There's nothing you can do. Sick is sick. I really hope you feel better soon and try not to add extra stress and worry to your recovery x

You can't help being ill. I'm pretty sure in schools it's a 48hour rule for diarrhea and vomiting just like it is for the kids attending. You couldn't have gone in anyway they'd tell you themselves to not come back until you're 48hours clear of throwing up at all. I work in care and for our homes policy it's 72hours. I called out sick a few times in the first year of being there for illness or the kids being ill and having no childcare. It can feel like a guilt trip but in all fairness you've followed the sickness policy by not going in. Hope you feel better soon OP x

6:30am is ridiculous - how can you possibly know if you are well enough for work at that time in the morning, you would only have been up half an hour maximum and you need time to pull yourself together and see how you feel. When I’ve worked in schools it has been 7:30am.

Bless you. Its a horrible feeling, but you cant go in poorly. Working in education, you cant help getting ill. You are surrounded by lots of people all day everyday and this brings germs! Its really common and if anyone has an issue its a 'them' problem not a 'you' problem. You have good sense not sharing your germs! Dont be hard on yourself. The time issue is really not an issue either. Just explain when you are back that you didnt know and will ensure you call at the right time should you need to in the future. Your still learning about your job.

Honestly, its so common to be off poorly in that industry! Especially with new starters...I used to be poorly loads when I first started now its only every so often.

You sound like a really conscientious employee and you managed to send resources in! As others have said yes, others will be frustrated that they have to cover/sort out/ rearrange- it's a pain but it won't be with you personally unless it's a regular occurrence. Get Well Soon.

Please don’t feel guilty. If you don’t look after yourself, no one else will. I’ve been in education 20 years and I understand the feeling, but you can’t help feeling ill and the job will still be there when you get back.

6.30am is a ridiculous cut off time! My alarm doesn't go off until 7am 😂 Don't worry about it, I had to call in sick on day 2 in my new job for the same thing. Over a year later, I'm still there.

Please just focus on getting better.
Sniffles - no sympathy. But throwing up - they would prefer you to stay away, even if you missed their ridiculously early deadline.

My son had to call in sick on his first day after being ill during the night vomiting 🫣😂. He's still in the same job. Don't worry about it x

Don’t overly worry. These things happen. I started my last job and day 1 asked for a day off for my uncles funeral that same week. Life happens. Good employers understand that.

I hate this culture that people feel so guilty for being too sick to work. You know you’re too sick to work and couldn’t be there so switch off you haven’t done anything wrong. I hope you feel better soon.

It'll be fine, with sickness employers mainly look at patterns - so if you have a regular Monday or Friday off, or if you always call in after a bank holiday etc. They won't judge you for 1 or 2 days due to sickness (especially in education as its rife!) They might judge if you take a sick day every month though once they clock it (not that you will, but that's what places look for!)

Education; the profession where you can have your head down the loo yet still have to drag your sorry arse to the laptop and send in work for the day.

Don't feel bad or worry, you’ve done nothing wrong.