WIBU to take time off sick this week?

[redhatnoknickers]

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?

[Lj8893]

The op wont get sent home, im assuming she is a domiciliary care worker and so will be working independently. No-one there to witness her being ill. And no-one there to cover once shes gone home, so if she isn't going to be working lots of notice needs to be given.

[redhatnoknickers]

mamma I've only been in this job for 6 months and haven't been told about a flu jab or stopped to consider it - this is a new field for me.

[spidey66]

If you're worried about not being believed, what about struggling in to get sent home again? Then your colleagues can see you're genuinely ill. I know how you feel though, I'm in nursing (am in out patients now so no longer on shifts) and i've had the same dilemma before. One year I had a bad cold just before Christmas, but struggled in on Christmas Day to 'prove' I wasn't shirking. My Mum kept my Christmas dinner for me, and you know all that about reheating poultry? Came down with food poisoning Boxing Day. I spent the rest of the Christmas period on the bog with a bowl on my lap. Every time I coughed and sneezed, it came out the other end as well. :gross:

[Musicaltheatremum]

Gosh there's some rubbish spouted here.
Lj88 It is the responsibility of the employer to offer the flu jab. GPs don't do the occupational ones so the OP is not at fault here.

You can do things with the flu. Some flu strains are less severe than others and affect people differently. My son had swine flu (he was swabbed for it as we were in a practice that monitors it) and could watch TV and play on the Xbox though not for long. There are other flu like illnesses that are caused by different viruses and can make you feel pretty lousy and these would not be covered by the flu jag.

If you came to see me tomorrow and if you described what you have to me I would see you. I would discuss your job and sign you off if appropriate. I couldn't back date the line as I hadn't seen you. I would probably give you a line for a few days depending how Ill you were but suggest if you starts to feel better you could go back.

If you are unwell and have a temperature you should not be working with the vulnerable elderly.

I hope you do feel better and get back to work soon.

[Lj8893]

Sorry x-post op.

[naty1]

If touve been vomiting 4 days you may need to consider this isnt stomach flu. Especially if it continues tomorrow.
Are you still trying to eat normally as you may need to go to say dry toast and water. Avoid dairy products that can grow the virus.
Flu isnt normally vomitting (as far as i know) unless maybe high temp.
Could you be ill and pg?
Anyway maybe you could call nhs direct.

[Ujjayi]

OP you have my sympathy. I have had vomiting as part of the flu virus a few years ago & it was horrendous. I became ridiculously dehydrated. I also understand why you are thinking forward to whether or not you will make it into work. Proper flu floors most people for 10-14 days, sometimes longer.

I would ring your manager & explain the situation. Forewarned is better than a last minute "not coming in today" call. Explain that whilst you might well recover in time, you felt it fair to call & discuss just in case you aren't well enough.

[Lj8893]

My gp has always done my flu jab. Or i have been in to the walk in type village hall sessions.

[Lj8893]

However, i do agree that the employer should have advised the op to get the flu jab. My employers send annual reminders out to us.

[spidey66]

Apologies, have just read the whole thread, you won't have any witnesses.

I don't beleive in struggling in with a cold, especially when you're working with older people, it can be really nasty with them and can lead to pnuemonia. I really understand your dilemma.

[Namechangeyetagaintohide]

You are still vomiting. I'd say no brainer really. You work with vulnerable people.

Phone in sick and go back when you are free of the 48 hour rule or whatever your workplace has.

[FrontForward]

Red hat I work in a hospital and this year the take up of the flu jab has been the lowest ever I believe and these are people who are given it in the workplace...so don't have a guilt trip laid on you for that.

Your employer has a responsibility to arrange it for you and pay for it.

Flu jabs for nursing staff here

[Trills]

If this week was not Christmas, what would you do?

Would you consider yourself well enough to work, or not?

If you are ill, stay at home. Particularly when it sounds like you have something contagious, and you work with people who really definitely do not want to have illness spread about.

[redhatnoknickers]

trills if it wasn't Christmas week I would ring in and then make up the hours as soon as I could.

Thank you Front and other kind people, advice gratefully received.

[PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange]

My nan is in a care home and I'm a nhs worker myself.

I say stay at home. It may be Christmas week but your Heath comes first.

[Mulderandskully]

You don't get food poisoning from reheating poultry!
OP I would go to theGP as they can't argue with a sick note. Last time I was signed off I was so on annual leave- GP calculated that I could claim that back and self certify for those 5 days then signed me off for a further 5.

[naty1]

Flu jab wont protect against gastroenteritis. Your symptoms are of 2 different illnesses. Influenza or cold and gastroenteritis or maybe food poisoning.
Gastroenteritis doesnt start with cold/flu symptoms but with the vomiting and temp/ shivering.

[Musicaltheatremum]

Lj88 your GP may have some special arrangement with the health board to provide these services but in general the flu jag rules are that it is the responsibility of the employer to arrange and pay for then.

[NCIS]

Actually I vomit when I have a temperature, it's quite common to do that. I certainly vomited when I had flu.

I think you need to see a GP, flu type illnesses can kill elderly people.

[thedevilinside]

IF you are vomiting with flu-like symptoms, then it is probably Swine Flu, I'm sure your employers wouldn't want you spreading that around

[ClashCityRocker]

Woah, hang on, surely if you're ill with suspected flu, you ought to be avoiding people with compromised immune systems ie the elderly?

Not a dig at the OP at all, but I'm surprised at the number of people saying 'go in anyway or your colleagues will be pissed off'.

OP, if you wouldn't go in if it wasn't christmas, don't go in.

[naty1]

But vomitting from temp would not be 48hrs rule though. And surely you then take paracetamol to control it/nurofen

[steff13]

I think you need to go to the doctor. Vomiting for four days is not good, you could get dehydrated.

[ClashCityRocker]

And I agree with others you should see a doc.

Hope you're feeling better soon

[Fluffy40]

They provide the jab on a particular day . I am not doing a 40 mile round trip at my expense on my day off.