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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I've been signed off work for a week, aibu to take that week off?

64 replies

brentonstripeandredlipstick · 04/04/2015 07:13

My mother seems to think so.

I've a reoccurring illness. I'm not an ill person generally and hasn't had a day off sick since this time last year.

A few weeks ago I got hit by illness, had to see a doctor. finished my meds, went back to work but still felt shocking. The next day I had a bad relapse and ended up back at the doctors on stronger meds amd ended up with just shy of 2 weeks off.

because I went back for that one day it now counts as two lots of sickness. three lots in a rolling 6 months means Instant investigation.

anyway. I thought I was ok. last Saturday I came down with it again. back to out of hours and more meds. its my annual leave so I only had to call in sick one day.
I'm still ill. I had to see another doctor late Thursday who has given me 3 types of meds and a sick note for a week off.

I think I should take it off. I'm not well and need to get better. plus if I go back today and then get worse it counts as two lots of sickness. I won't be praised for ' trying ' ill end up in more trouble.

It also means that the day I called in sick a week ago will be part of this whole sickness. ..amd ill get my annual leave back. where as if I don't use my note I think it will count as sickness. ..and annual leave. and then if I get worse in the next few days it could count as two lots of sick rather than one big one.

I think my mum is of the opinion where she thinks you try then go home but as soon as you set foot in at work, if you go home it's counted as another incident.

The doctor clearly thinks I'm not fit for work as he has given me the note. so, aibu to use it.

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 04/04/2015 10:15

If you have been signed off then you can't go back to work as it invalidates your employers insurance when you're working their, so you don't have a choice I'm afraid, unless you can go back to the doctors and persuade him to write you a "fit" note.

Original poster
brentonstripeandredlipstick · 04/04/2015 10:19

No.

It was a chest infection then pneumonia. I had 3 weeks off then. One week which was Annual leave ( the first 7 days ) I went back to work for 1 day and 1 hour and then was off for the further two weeks.

I was then fine and in work for about 3 weeks. caught a cold last Monday. was fine to work and did. by the Friday I was short on breath and was wheezy even when I talked. saw out of hours as a priority because if being so ill only a few weeks ago. They said another chest infection and gave me antibiotics.

I kind of felt better tue till thur afternoon then I came out on the sweats again and could hardly breathe. . saw the doctor who said it's a respiratory tract infection. gave me more antibiotics, and two inhalers.

he's hoping it's just bad luck and it will go. But if not I need an x ray and possible mri. I'm young ( ish).and don't smoke so he said it would be very rare for it to be more than what it is.

OP posts:
passthewineplz · 04/04/2015 10:41

If you've had pneumonia and a chest infection that isn't getting any better, you should have had a chest X-ray by now. Age is irrelevant....

Are you still in pain, coughing ect? If so I'd ring out of hours again and get it checked out.

I was fobbed off by my GP, given antibiotics ect but was actually quite poorly when I eventually had an xray. I'm sure you're ok, but I'm really suprised with you not really improving they've not given you a chest xray

Original poster
brentonstripeandredlipstick · 04/04/2015 10:48

But I had improved and was fine for 3 weeks in between.

OP posts:
snowaccidentprone · 04/04/2015 10:55

Think you probably need oral steroids, tena ladies and a chest x-Ray!

And rest.

passthewineplz · 04/04/2015 10:58

Ah sorry, so you were poorly for nearly 3 with pneumonia went back to work for 3 weeks, and are poorly again. Is that right?

How are you feeling now? If you're no better after the weekend, I'd go back to your GP

Original poster
brentonstripeandredlipstick · 04/04/2015 11:02

Snow, that is what I need!!

Smile

if I'm not better by Wed / thur then I will go back

OP posts:
Original poster
brentonstripeandredlipstick · 04/04/2015 11:03

And yes, that's right. Ill for 3 weeks. back to work again for 3. now ill again.

OP posts:
CapnMurica · 04/04/2015 11:10

I'm on an attendance plan as well. Three instances of sickness in a year - two were mornings I took off to get rid of migraines, then I had a horrendous virus that took me four weeks to get over. My doc signed me off too (and I'm nowhere near as ill as you!).

YANBU. Realistically, there has to be a policy in place, for big companies, but it's a formality. It'll be worse if you keep going back when not recovered.

passthewineplz · 04/04/2015 11:13

I sympathise as I've suffered with chest infections/broncotits ect since being a child it really takes it out of you. Here have Brew and Flowers and try not to move off of the sofa

Trills · 04/04/2015 11:19

Stay at home.
You are ill.

momb · 04/04/2015 11:54

You must stay off and get well. People die from chest infections. People do not die from getting into trouble at work.
Your Mum may have a point that remaining mobile will help to clear your lungs. This means getting up and pottering about for 10 mins every now and then, not that you should go to work and exhaust yourself.
Take care, and hope you are feeling better soon!

ohtheholidays · 04/04/2015 12:36

Stay off work,you sound really ill.I hope the meds the Dr has given you work and that your much better soon.

I've had pneumonia 3 times and it is horrendous.Much better idea that you rest and get completely well,rather than slogging on at work and your health getting much worse.

toffeeboffin · 04/04/2015 17:28

Stay home and do nothing, just get betterThanks

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