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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

WIBU to take time off sick this week?

114 replies

redhatnoknickers · 21/12/2014 17:43

I'm just coming to the end of 10 days annual leave and have been ill for the last 4 with what I am sure is flu, not a cold. Won't bore you with symptoms but even a shower is exhausting and I've barely moved since being ill. I work with elderly people and am scheduled to work all week, including 9 hours on Boxing Day, doing shifts from very early to very late. This is my first year in the job and I'm worried that if I take any time off sick I won't be believed as it's Christmas week and I have young children, someone else would have to cover (which I would feel guilty about), and the sickness policy at work will involve a a return to work interview with HR where I will need clear evidence of illness. I'm not sure that my GP will be best pleased if I waste their time this week asking for a sick note when they are likely to be busy and appointments are like gold dust at the best of times. On the other hand I feel genuinely ill and don't want to give this to my clients. WIBU to take time off or should I try and keep going?

OP posts:

oswellkettleblack · 21/12/2014 18:33

You are well enough to post on MN

naty1 · 21/12/2014 18:35

It sounds fishy you have been ill several days and are now vomiting.
I find i either have d&v or cold/flu not mixture.
The d&v would have aching and temp too.
Why not get a flu jab next yr
A D&v only usually lasts 24-48hrs and then is contagious another 2 days.
Dont go in gp and give it to them.
But sounds like you woukd be in the clear by boxing day

nocoolnamesleft · 21/12/2014 18:39

Only you can know how ill you feel, and whether you're curently capable of working. But talking about Boxing Day, when tomorrow is only the 22nd looks a little...suspect.

I work in a hospital. As another poster put it, I'd probably have to be admitted myself to call in sick. (Has been known to happen - calling in sick from resus was particulary good evidence!). But this is partly because, at the moment, I know that if just one more of us goes offf sick, then it will be impossible to staff paediatrics 24/7 over Xmas/New Year...which given that the next unit is an hour away would be pretty cataclysmically awful...

Lj8893 · 21/12/2014 18:40

Why haven't you had a flu jab? Apologies if there is a genuine reason why you haven't. Its just that is going to be one of the first queries your bosses will have!

i work in domiciliary care too. Its tough being ill and worrying about passing illnesses on to vulnerable people. Hope you feel better soon.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 21/12/2014 18:40

Lying in bed typing is not the same as working.

anothernumberone · 21/12/2014 18:41

The one and only time I had flu OP I would not have been having this discussion on Mumsnet, no joking or cynicism here. I have never been so sick in my life. I could not move, I was delirious and had an extremely high fever for days. It was god awful, if you have flu, which I imagine is common in caring professions, you have my sympathy. The cough I got with it went on for weeks/over a month but the worst was over after a week so you might be better for Christmas.

ohtheholidays · 21/12/2014 18:43

There's no way you'll be able to work feeling the way you do anyways OP.There's no way I'd go in to work when your going to be working with people with a high chance of catching what you have,you know they wouldn't thank you at work if you pass it on!

It sounds like it would be worth you getting a Dr's appointment any ways just to check what you do have.

watchingthedetectives · 21/12/2014 18:45

If you are sick then you are sick and you need to take time off. If you are Ok then you need to work and not land your colleagues in it.

No one begrudges someone genuinely ill although they maybe suspicious of your timing If you are not vomiting, have no fever and can do the job then you need to do it (and I work in a hospital)

youarekiddingme · 21/12/2014 18:45

I love how people read what they want to read OP has said "lots of hours including 9 hours on Boxing Day". Ie that's a long day to get cover for.

If it's genuine then yes a GP note is needed. If you are ill during annual leave then those days count as illness. I'd ring in and say you've been ill with d&v and due to 48 hr rule expect to return on X day. Inform then then you will be sourcing a GP note if your ill for longer.

Original poster

redhatnoknickers · 21/12/2014 18:47

I haven't been offered a flu jab. No idea why I'm vomiting but I have been since it started. You are all right that I may be perfectly fine by Tues or Weds etc, my OP was whether I should take time off this week and if by mentioning my hours and giving Boxing Day as an example I've come across as planning to be ill all week - well it wasn't meant that way. BUT it clearly comes across as not being genuine illness even though I promise I am genuinely feeling like death warmed up, and if it was a colleague maybe I would also feel suspicious.

OP posts:

teeththief · 21/12/2014 18:48

I've also had flu and was incapable of doing anything, I honestly thought I was dying. There's no way I'd have managed to come on MN.

You say you've been ill for 4 days already? If so, you really should see a GP tomorrow

frankie001 · 21/12/2014 18:48

Im in health care as well. Got sent home Tues with a fever, sore throat etc. Rang to go in on Fri and was laughed off the phone as I still couldn't speak properly. The thought is 'I have to go in or I will let people down' not 'I shouldn't go in as I will make clients / other carers ill'. As health care worker working with people with immuno suppression option b should have been my default as well.

Having said that it was less than 24 hours after that I felt much much better, my advice? See how it goes, you will probably be fine by then.

Lj8893 · 21/12/2014 18:50

You wouldn't be offered a flu jab, you just go to your gp when they are doing flu jabs and say you work in care and you would be entitled to one.
its completely your responsibility, and you have a duty of care to protect yourself in order to protect your clients.

FrontForward · 21/12/2014 18:59

Bloody hell there are some self righteous diagnostics going on here.

I opened this thinking if you have to ask should I go sick then the answer is probably no. Healthcare is different because of a lot of the things mentioned. Health care assitants work really hard for frankly a pittance and working throughout Christmas is horrible. That said I have done it and remember having horrible health when I did it.

I'd ring your manager (or go in if you're capable) and say you will work because you appreciate the pressures of this period of the year but have these symptoms and let them decide for you.

FrontForward · 21/12/2014 19:00

OP I hope you feel better soon. It's sadly ironic that you provide care for people in ill health but have come here to be slated.

Lj8893 · 21/12/2014 19:04

I second frontsorwards suggestion. Let your manager/co-ordinator decide for you.

ohtheholidays · 21/12/2014 19:07

You've been vomiting for 4 Days OP?You really need to get an appointment at your DR's tomorrow.

I'm chronically ill and disabled and the only time I had flu as bad as you sound like you have it I had swine flu.It was bloody horrendous,our lovely DR came out to our house to check me over and give me medication because of my general health.

I hope your okay but definitely go to the Dr's tomorrow!

Slutbucket · 21/12/2014 19:07

If your vomiting you need to phone in sick and will probably have 48 hour exclusion.

Slutbucket · 21/12/2014 19:09

I work for a care organisation too. These things happen. Christmas can be a difficult time for cover.

Original poster

redhatnoknickers · 21/12/2014 19:10

Thank you Front you're very kind. I work in people's homes and my clients have dementia so it's not a light decision to let them or colleagues down. Your advice is really good, I will ring my manager.

OP posts:

Frogme · 21/12/2014 19:10

I'd drag myself in then say that you think you'd better stay away from the old folk as you feel so ill. Then leave it to the managers. Better to be sent home and believed.

CheeseBuster · 21/12/2014 19:11

9 hours is not "a particularly long shift", that makes you sound like the kind of person who takes time off for a cold. I think you should go in and if you are so sick you will be sent home.

MammaTJ · 21/12/2014 19:11

Why did you not have a flu jab?
As a care worker, you are entitled to one.

Original poster

redhatnoknickers · 21/12/2014 19:14

There's no-one to send me home. I work one-to-one in people's homes. 9 hours is not a long shift in the great scheme of things, just a long one to find cover for.

OP posts:

googoodolly · 21/12/2014 19:14

If you're being sick, you should follow the 48 hour rule and stay at home. Nobody will thank you for going into work and spreading a vomiting bug around, especially at this time of year.

Yes, it might look suspicious tacked onto the end of annual leave, but in healthcare you need to follow the 48 hour rule, regardless of how bad it might make you look. It's not fair on your colleagues or clients, who are vulnerable enough as it is.

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