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?

[FrogIsATwatInASantaHat]

I had sepsis in the summer and still managed to MN

[MrsItsNoworNotatAll]

How you feeling today op? Bit better I hope xx

I think when you've been ill and feeling like utter dog shit for a few days you start wondering if you're ever gonna feel well again and start making contingency plans in case you don't. It's common sense to think what you're going to do about going into work and the impact it will have if you don't.

Yes you're colleagues will have to step up but that can't be helped. Shit happens and they'll have to deal with it. Not like you want to be ill over Christmas is it.

[MrsItsNoworNotatAll]

And you can't compare posting on here whilst ill to working whilst ill. Well you can but it's just daft.

[IsabeauMichelle]

I think the point was that if you genuinely have flu, you certainly wouldn't want to be on here.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

The more salient point here is people shouldn't nitpick at people who are ill

[thedevilinside]

People seem to have forgotten about Swine Flu. It is often milder than normal flu and can cause D & V. www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2892.aspx?CategoryID=5&SubCategoryID=5

[redhatnoknickers]

Thank you MrsItsNow. I have taken today off as I still feel unwell, though no longer vomiting thank goodness. Still got a temp but not so high, exhausted, coughing, joint pains etc etc. My manager was less than sympathetic saying "well (colleague) has pneumonia and she's still working" and let me know that senior management would be 'made aware'. I have an excellent sickness record and do a lot of extra shifts and cover for others so I'm not too worried but I do feel under pressure and am certainly expected to work tomorrow. GP wasn't too helpful and said there was no need to come in as it sounded like flu and I should be able to self certificate but my manager says no more leave without a sicknote. Just hoping to dose up and be well for tomorrow. Thank you for your help everyone.

[naty1]

Try to sleep as much as poss. Nightnurse is great as it knocks you out.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Your manager is being out of order and cannot force you to get a sick note before you have self certified for 5 days.

[Namechangeyetagaintohide]

Your boss cannot enforce that.

Also I hope you asked what senior management would be made aware of ? That you are sick so took the day off sick ?

[Ujjayi]

Sounds like your manager will try any method to apply pressure on you to return. OP you are unwell. I would be fuming if my elderly relative became sick because staff are forced to work when ill.

At the very least, you should be off for a further 24 hours since you only stopped vomiting yesterday.

You have a good attendance record so the manager can strop all they like. You are too sick to work.

When you feel able, I recommend buying some Floradix. It's an iron-rich tonic & will help strengthen your immune system.

[Fuckmath]

Your colleague sound an arse. at comparing you to someone being in with pneumonia. Really? when I had pneumonia I have never felt so ill in my life, was completely incapacitated and was on a drip for about 3 weeks. So I don't think the person in work with "pneumonia" actually had pneumonia. They would not be able to work.

I don't think you have done anything wrong or should be made to feel guilty.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I would be looking for a new job once better

[MrsItsNoworNotatAll]

Your manager sounds like a dick. And so typical they conveniently forget all the extra shifts you've done and that you've covered other colleagues shifts when needed. Well time for them to cover some of yours whilst you're ill.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, not just so's you can rush back to work but just cos being ill is shite