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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to have called in sick?

39 replies

livinginwonderland · 28/08/2013 11:06

I really don't think IBU but here goes.

Background: I work with food. I've had (including today) five days off work since January. 4 of these have been due to vomiting/sickness bugs. One was because I passed out due to the heat.

Woke up this morning when DP went to work (around 6am). Felt okay, bit tired, but fine. DP left for work and I got up and made toast. Ate it, got horrendous cramps and threw it up. Felt sicky/nauseous ever since. I rang in sick because obviously I'd thrown up. Queue people complaining because I'm "off sick" a lot.

I realise that 5 days in 8 months is quite a lot, but I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do other than call in sick when I've thrown up everywhere?!

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 28/08/2013 11:08

Take a pregnancy test is what I would do if I threw up that much after feeling fine and eating one piece of toast.

And I'd call in sick. But I hate people who go to work when they're sick.

Rooners · 28/08/2013 11:08

No, you're not being unreasonable.

However I'd be questioning why you were being ill so much - is it possible that you're picking up these bugs from colleagues at work, I mean if they'd rather you came in and prepared food while sick, perhaps that is what they do too.

They sound like arses. It's not something that'd be looked on favourably by HSE, put it that way, to turn up in this state.

quesadilla · 28/08/2013 11:09

Well I don't think you are BU but I know from a previous recent thread that a lot of people here think there ought to be an Orwellian degree of sickness monitoring by companies so someone will be along shortly to tell you what the average number of sick days is per year and how much trouble you're in.

So get your tin hat out....

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 28/08/2013 11:09

You don't have an option but to call in sick. I don't understand why others see fit to comment on it though, surely it is between you and management if they think your absenteeism is at an unacceptable level?

pianodoodle · 28/08/2013 11:09

If you're sick you're sick!

Don't know what they expect you to do!

Rooners · 28/08/2013 11:10

And if you lost your job over it you would be backed up by everyone normal - it would be unfair dismissal.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 28/08/2013 11:10

YANBU. Better that than spreading lurgy to any customers who eat the food that you have prepared.

I'm usually of the "drag myself to work" persuasion, unless it's vomit, because I work in a school I think it's better not to spread that around. Same applies to you.

VanitasVanitatum · 28/08/2013 11:10

Definitely not BU, as it may be communicable, and especially as you work with food. Definitely talk to your gp though, that's a lot of DV bugs, far more than you should expect to pick up.

Original poster
livinginwonderland · 28/08/2013 11:11

I spoke to my manager when I rung up. I said basically what I said on here and he just said "you're better off in bed - hope you're better by Friday! (my next shift) so I think it's just other colleagues having a moan Hmm

OP posts:
EvieanneVolvic · 28/08/2013 11:13

I think I know the thread whereof you speak Quesadilla and I think you make an absolutely reasonable point as does the OP here (and on that thread), but but but but but.....

As an employer seeing a larger picture I do sometimes get the feeling that some people are rather easier on themselves than others. Absolutely NOT saying that this is the case here, and clearly not talking about long term conditions, but I don't think it unreasonable that sickness levels are monitored to discourage any budding 'duvet day' mentality. Is that fair?

BadRoly · 28/08/2013 11:13

Dh used to work in a food factory and once got salmonella (not from the factory). He was ill for a week but ended up with 6weeks off as he had to have clear stool samples before he could go back.

My point is, you are being the sensible one and your muttering colleagues are the muppets - there are very good reasons why people with d&v are told not to come into work/school for 24 hrs after last 'incident'.

Original poster
livinginwonderland · 28/08/2013 11:19

I know it's a lot of time off for vomiting.

2 x days off were for food poisoning. It was one incident but I was sick for several days.

1 x day off for fainting.

1 x day off for a vomiting bug that went round work. I wasn't the only one who called in sick for that - the whole store was understaffed for a week!

1 x day off = today. I haven't been sick since about 8am but store policy is that you can't go in for 24-48h after you were last sick.

OP posts:
Original poster
livinginwonderland · 28/08/2013 11:20

Oh, and I'm not pregnant. Started my period yesterday and I often get a sicky stomach with cramps :)

OP posts:
EvieanneVolvic · 28/08/2013 11:20

And I know I am playing the bad guy here but I have clear memories of a very dear friend who threw a sickie (claimed d and v) so that she could go on a bit of a jaunt with her boyfriend. The next day back at school (she was a teacher) she found that the Deputy Head had rearranged all her class room venues so that she was close to the loo!

She felt so guilty she has never done it again. Grin

I think people do get a bit suspicious over 'stomach bugs' as they are completely unprovable, so it does come down to trust (and I have no doubt that the OP is 100% kosher otherwise why the hell post here) but you can see why colleagues may get a bit sniffy about it.

Rooners · 28/08/2013 11:24

You could try some sort of anti sickness meds if it's hormonal/period related.

I take metoclopramide when I get that.

flowery · 28/08/2013 11:28

"And if you lost your job over it you would be backed up by everyone normal - it would be unfair dismissal."

You have absolutely no way of knowing that based purely on what the OP says.

I do love it when people who don't know what they are talking about make statements of legal 'fact'...

OP YANBU to ring in sick because you are sick and are clearly following the employer's specific policy around sickness.

If you want some advice about the potential implications of taking more sickness absence and/or if your employer starts taking action against you and you want to know what they can and can't do, pop over to the Employment topic.

Rooners · 28/08/2013 11:29

Sorry, you are right, I have no idea but in my head that is what would and should apply.

Ignore me and if you need further advice then yes ask someone who knows their stuff. I am a fruit cake.

Rooners · 28/08/2013 11:32

and I'm postingwithout due care and attention. I could have phrased it better...as in, I would have THOUGHT that they would be unable to sack you on this basis, but actually, I don't know anything about this so best to seek advice IRL if it comes to that.

I still think that had it been the boss who commented in this manner, it would have been wrong of him and he'd be on dodgy ground legally, but no, I don't know if that's true.

phantomhairpuller · 28/08/2013 11:32

YANBU

IME, you could have the best sick record going, but you're always going to get someone who feels the need to make a negative comment.

Don't let it get to you. You work with food, what else are you supposed to do?!

DragonsAreReal · 28/08/2013 11:39

I work with food to and yanbu I hate it when people who are ill spread it around. It is against the law (check your food hygiene cert) to be handling food before 48hr vomit free.

I called in sick today and yesterday as I have tonsillitis. No way am I going in till I'm better as A I don't want to give it to anyone B yesterday and day before I couldn't even walk, C I'm ill I'm not going to push myself to much and get even worse.

We have the Bradford scoring system in work for sick days and I'm not doing very well as this is my second time off with tonsillitis after a bank holiday and ive had emergency absences due to dc being ill, but I know my dr would write a note to prove it if needs must.

Original poster
livinginwonderland · 28/08/2013 11:41

I'm not worried about repercussions at work - they're really understanding about things like vomiting and unless you're regularly calling off the same days/shifts, you're generally fine. I also spoke to my manager when I called in and he said I was doing the right thing and that if I'd come in he'd have sent me home anyway!

I know I'm not really BU but I guess people will always find something to bitch about :/

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 28/08/2013 11:42

If you spoke to your manager when you rang, how do you know other people were complaining?

Original poster
livinginwonderland · 28/08/2013 11:43

Because a colleague who is working this morning (I was due to start at 12) told me that "the usual people are bitching 'cause you called in sick".

They're the same people who'll bitch regardless of who calls out and why, though.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 28/08/2013 11:51

Your colleague sounds like a stirrer

OnTheBottomWithAWomansWeekly · 28/08/2013 11:55

You're right to call in sick, however if your absence levels look high, your work might start to manage them more strictly.

This is NOT assuming that you are faking - it's because a high level of sick leave is not sustainable in a business.

You CAN be dismissed for high levels of ongoing sick leave if there is no improvement seen over a certain period of time (obv if there is an underlying disability there are different legalities involved).

The reason is, if you work for an employer, there is a contract between you. Their part of the contract is that they will pay you for your efforts. However your part of the contract is that you will turn up for the work you are supposed to do. If a company ends up with several people who are sick all the time, this becomes an unsustainable expense and hassle, and they can dismiss you (after certain procedures are followed, such as referral to Occupational health etc) for breaking your contract of work - i.e. if you are not able to perform your duties in the long term.

I've had to manage someone who was heading for disciplinary (eventually) due to high levels of sick leave (and I believe totally that it was all genuine, and so did HR) but it turned out he was undergoing tests for a family condition (that he didn't have) and once the all clear was given, sick leave fell dramatically (could have been the psychological effect).

However, colleagues bitching about you is not good - I would mention it to your manager (who sounds like they are handling your situation correctly) in case it escalates into bullying.

Oh I'm not in the UK but our laws here are similar so if anything in my post appears incorrect I hope that's why!