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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To phone in sick, even though I'm not ?

88 replies

mummyloveslucy · 17/11/2010 12:16

Hi, I work nights in a home for young people with learning disabilities. I've been there for 8 months and have never phoned in sick before. It's my 30th birthday on a saturday, and they have put me down to work the friday night. There is only one other night worker and she won't want to swap with me as she's not keen on working friday nights anyway.

I'm going to be quite buisy on the saturday, so won't get much sleep then I'll be really tired for my party.

I know it might look a bit obvious, as I've requested that sat night off and they know it's my birthday. Is there anything I could say that would seem genuine? If I ask and they say no, that's it but If I'm ill, they have to give me the night off.

By the way, I don't get paid if I'm sick!

OP posts:
beebuzzer · 17/11/2010 12:20

I've done it before! Will they be able to get cover for you? If so I would do it if its a one off.

BonniePrinceBilly · 17/11/2010 12:23

They will know you aren't sick. Are you able to go in the next week and look them in the eye knowing they know you lied to them? (No judgement there, just laying it out)

Why didn't you book both days as annual leave?

Sn0wflake · 17/11/2010 12:26

You could cut your leg off after the party...they would believe that.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 17/11/2010 12:26

I should have, I didn't plan it very well. I told her the date of the party, and just assumed, she'd give me the friday off too.

I do really like my job and all the staff there, bar one. I might just have to go in then.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 17/11/2010 12:28

Grin at snowflake. That would be my last resort. Wink

OP posts:
VinegarTits · 17/11/2010 12:33

YABU, it is better to be tired at your party than let people down and leave them short staffed at the last min

yes you should have planned it better but you didnt so you should be responsible and go in, its not like they are making you wokr on your birthday, its the night before, im sure you can cope with being a bit tired

wingandprayer · 17/11/2010 12:34

Take it as holiday.

Of course they know why you will be mysteriously ill the day before your birthday. Would not even entertain idea of pulling a sickie unless you don't mind losing your job.

I do sympathise, but not worth risk IMO

eldritch · 17/11/2010 12:35

Don't call in sick - IME karma will come to get you and you'll wake up with a stinking cold or similar on your birthday!

phipps · 17/11/2010 12:35

If you ring in sick they won't believe you as you have already asked for the day off. Is it worth getting into trouble for a party?

beebuzzer · 17/11/2010 12:38

I feel guilty now. Do not call in sick! Blush The others are probably right, they will cotton on the fact if they know its your birthday.

TheChamomileLawn · 17/11/2010 12:39

I've done it, but I was leaving anyway the following week. Wouldn't have done it otherwise.

Showaddywaddy · 17/11/2010 12:43

No don't do that.

I sympathise. My dh is working 8pm until 6am on my 30th birthday (NYE) and he asked for it off but they've said no. No way would he call in sick.

It's rude and unnecessary, especially if you're off for your birthday anyway.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 17/11/2010 12:45

O.k, I'll go in. I'll ask the other night worker if she'll swap first, as I did swap one for her last week. If not I'll just go in.

I'll have to get everything done on the friday, so I don't have much to do on the saturday.

OP posts:
ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 17/11/2010 12:48

Can you go in earlier and then leave earlier?

Towatessa · 17/11/2010 13:42

IMO you would be way out of order for phoning in sick when you are not, but then again as the owner of a business I tend to be the one who suffers most when people do this!

Can you do any of the stuff that needs doing on Saturday a bit earlier?

WhyMeWhyNot · 17/11/2010 14:03

Don't call in sick - IME karma will come to get you and you'll wake up with a stinking cold or similar on your birthday!

Definately agree with this , my daughter in law did the same thing and caught salmonella on the night she had out instead of working. Took her 3 weeks to be able to leave the toilet for more than 20 mins.

Karma, Karma, Karma.
Get more organised, sleep the Saturday, wake up and go to your party, rope your friends in to do any essentials while you're in bed.

Deliaskis · 17/11/2010 14:11

YABU IMO. You will feel weird about it, will end up having to expand your lies as you won't be able to talk about your birthday or party if you were 'still ill' or only just better and feeling a bit delicate.

Hopefully you will be able to get some sleep on the Saturday.

D

MrsKarpet · 17/11/2010 14:25

Red Bull and vodka, that'll keep you awake.....

AnyFucker · 17/11/2010 14:41

I detest people who ring in sick when they are not

FGS, get to work and don't dump more work on colleagues because you can't get your act together enough to book 2 shifts of annual leave

workshy I call it

birthdays are for kids too, so get a grip

TrillianAstra · 17/11/2010 14:44

You are contemplating calling in sick and you haven't even asked to swap yet? YABVU. It's your responsibility to ask for leave in advance if there are particular days you don't want to work.

thenightsky · 17/11/2010 14:46

Oh do not call in sick. I did that the day after my 21st and got seriously hauled over the coals.

TragicallyHipPomBear · 17/11/2010 14:50

I hate people calling in sick when they are not and leaving you in the shit...have worked with a lot of people who have done this..drives me nuts!
Just drink more at your party to get through the tiredness Grin

agedknees · 17/11/2010 14:54

You will feel as guilty as hell on your 30th birthday and will not be able to enjoy it.

Do not call in sick, people depend on you.

booyhoo · 17/11/2010 14:54

this isn't just a desk job where paper work will go undone. you are a carer, meaning if you call in sick, the place will not have enough staff to care properly for the people you are supposed to be there for. i can't believe you are even contemplating that.

AnyFucker · 17/11/2010 16:54

I would say the same for a desk job, tbh