Okay, some brief background: DH started new job just over a year ago. It coincided with him having a back issue and needing a lot of time off for physio / Drs appointments. He also had a few random days off for other things (colds etc). In the end he needed back surgery and has just been off work sick for 6 weeks whilst he recovers. In total he's probably had about 2 months off sick I'd say since he started there (plus 2 weeks off for paternity leave - we have a 5 month old DD). He is back on a 'phased return' basis so gradually building back up to his normal work hours (this week he only needs to do 3 hours a day, next week 4 hours a day, etc). They've also agreed he can work for the forseeable future out of a much closer office to home (so 10 mins commute rather than an hour, which is good of them).
Yesterday was his first day back (for 3 hours) and he happened to have a cold. Today his cold was worse and he wanted to phone in sick. I said I didn't think he should given how much time he has already had off, and that he only has to go in for 3 hours (and pretty much all his boss is expecting him to do this week is catch up on e-mails, so nothing strenuous, and he can work in a corner away from other people so as they don't catch anything). He clearly thought I was being very mean and that his current bad cold is a separate issue to his other sicknesses and that he should have the time off. He has begrudgingly gone into work but clearly unhappy with me for nagging him to go in. Was I being unreasonable? I'm just worried that they've been pretty good with him so far this year with all of his absences but I think he needs to be careful not to be seen to be taking the proverbial.