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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think my work collegue should have stayed at home this week?

40 replies

VinegarTits · 03/02/2011 11:41

She has coughed and sneezed her germs all over the office all week! and now i am getting her lurgy

IMO she should have stayed at home, she lives 2 mins away from the office, and works part time, and has come in and sneezed and coughed everywhere

i commute 1 hr and 10 mins to get here and work fulltime, i certainly wont be up to driving that distance with a fucking virus

And yes i know you can catch cold germs from anywhere, but i think it is selfish that she has still come to work when there is a very high risk she will infect anyone within a 10 meter raduis (i sit next to her)

OP posts:

AMumInScotland · 03/02/2011 13:11

How about buying an antiseptic spray and following her round with it, spraying everything? Might make you feel better about it anyway

givemushypeasachance · 03/02/2011 13:11

VT - it's this particular person's lack of hygiene and basic common politeness that's the issue then! Is she doing her work? Or if she's a grumbling type then could she if she wasn't fussing with hankies?

If you feel completely wretched and cannot properly function in your job, then yes you should be at home. Similarly if you have something infectious and serious (eg. chicken pox as an adult) then yes stay away for the good of your colleagues and the wider public if you ever see them. Runny nose and popping the odd paracemtalo but able to perform your daily tasks = at work. If everyone stayed home every time they just weren't feeling 100% nothing would ever get done!

My mum's test for "flu or cold" is if you could get out of bed and walk to the end of the garden to pick up a £50 left there. If you can do that and just under the weather then get thee to work and get on with things! If not, stay home and mainline lempsip till you're better.

kittybuttoon · 03/02/2011 13:38

Sometimes, colds don't clear up after a few days, but just 'linger', sounding a lot worse than they really are.

I've had coughs that have lasted for bluddy weeks, and scary as they may have sounded to other people, I couldn't in all conscience take weeks off work because of them.

However, if this colleague is being unhygenic, someone should have a quiet word with her about the basics.

pointythings · 03/02/2011 15:56

I think it depends on the cold - I'm at home with one at the mo, have been fighting it for weeks and it has now morphed into high fever, very sore throat, axe in skull headache etc. and my manager has just rung me not to come in tomorrow even if I do feel better because she knows that I will come back too soon (like her and her deputy have both done recently and have needed more time off). (Had a shock bereavement too though).

It also depends on someone's sick record, you can soon tell if someone is taking the mick.

Wouldn't stay at home for just coughs and sniffles though, taht's what tissues are for.

Coming in with D&V is downright irresponsible, ditto CP. Having had it is no guarantee, if you have a dodgy immune system you can get it twice.

FindingStuffToChuckOut · 03/02/2011 16:27

I agree with you - people should stay home if they have contagious illnesses. However many bosses disagree and hold such sick time against people.

pointythings don't you think if you'd just had a couple of days in bed early on you would have nipped it in the bud, not have got as sick as you have, and also you might have lowered the risk of anyone else catching your bug?

wolveschick · 03/02/2011 16:37

I've been a mucus trooper today and would not dream of going off sick with a cold-and I work for a large government organisation BUT sat with my back turned to my colleague, used fresh tissue for each blow and used anti bac gel regularly. I then flexed off early for which I imagine they were all grateful. I also didnt offer to make a drink for everyone but no change there :) NB I'm a bit annoyed at the comment in original post that the part timer should have not come in so that the important full timer would not get sick. IMO you would be criticized more as a part timer for not coming in

pointythings · 03/02/2011 16:46

FindingStuff - yes, absolutely agree with you. Unfortunately I am working in a team of 8 nationally and we have had 3 posts vacant, workload up to the nostrils. Manager and I have monthly supervision and discussed the issue and agreed to monitor and implement catch, kill, bin - I have a corner workstation to myself fortunately.

We are a small public sector organisation with a big workload and at times we have all been stupidly heroic (emphasis firmly on stupid) - this as mentioned includes my line manager and others - in an ideal world we would all be more sensible...

FindingStuffToChuckOut · 03/02/2011 17:16

hope you're on the mend now

pointythings · 03/02/2011 20:50

FindingStuff,

Feeling somewhat better today, but my line manager was right to tell me not to come in tomorrow - am still feeling very drained and coming could kick it all off again. So I'm going to do what I'm told and here's me wishing everyone a line manager like mine!

Thanks for the concern, it's appreciated

androbbob · 03/02/2011 21:08

Han, I work on the basis that if I can get myself to work and manage to function, albeit not at 100% then it is better than lying at home feeling sorry for myself. I too would also go home early as have flexi. If ia have some contagious disease then staying at home would be the only option, but I would ask for my work to be emailed to me so I could do something.

Too many lazy blighters in this world who see sick leave as an extension of their annual leave.

muggglewump · 03/02/2011 21:14

Colds/coughs/flu/chest infections are rife where I work atm (Care Home).
I've been in all week with a cold and now have a CI.
I need to go in as I need the money, and I had two long periods of illness last year.
I really don't think you can avoid this sort of thing in winter.
I may have picked it up from DD or one of the residents at work, or a workmate, or just generally out and about. There's no way of knowing.
I do wash my hands constantly, use antibac gel and wear gloves.

I am as careful as I can be as I have brittle asthma and it was colds/CI's which led to me being hospitalised twice last year, but I have a life to live, and bills to pay.
I can't stay at home constantly.

pointythings · 03/02/2011 22:17

androbbob

Did you know that driving with a fever has the same effects as driving under the influence of alcohol?

Which is why fever tends to be my criterion as to whether or not I go in to work.

manicbmc · 03/02/2011 22:25

The only thing that would keep me away from work with a virus is if it was accompanied by a fever.

I've had 4 bloody colds since October (after about 3 years with nothing at all). As it's the damn kids at work passing these on to me I do like to share them back.

working9while5 · 03/02/2011 22:30

D and V often doesn't have an associated fever but it is (IMO) wrong to go into work until at least 48 hours after your last "incident".

I work M, T and Th and took Th off last week as had been ill on W. I work in a school. It is carnage when d and v starts doing the rounds in a school...

androbbob · 05/02/2011 21:57

It does all depend where you work. If you are working with elderly or young children then risks are greater. Sitting on my bum in an office is low risk. Not sure how it would work if you broke your leg and couldnt drive or get bus - my boss would have a fit! Not much they can do if you have a sick note - I guess?

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