Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if you're off work with a stomach bug you can't be seen in a restaurant

43 replies

Daisysbear · 11/12/2015 09:34

I was up during the night with cramps and diorrea. Rang work to say I had a stomach bug and wouldn't be in.
I was supposed to be meeting a friend for a meal tonight and texted to cancel and apologise. She texted back saying 'see how you feel later. You might be ok.'

Aibu to think that even in the unlikely event that I felt up to it, it would be very stupid to be seen out enjoying a meal when you've been off work all day with a dodgy stomach? I hate letting my friend down but I just don't feel I could do that.

OP posts:
ouryve · 11/12/2015 09:35

Yanbu.

MrsAukerman · 11/12/2015 09:37

Yanbu.

madmother1 · 11/12/2015 09:37

My Mum always had a rule. Too ill for work in the day, then you shouldn't go out in the evening. I wouldn't do it. You might still be carrying germs. I'd cancel and reschedule.

BanningTheWordNaice · 11/12/2015 09:38

Absolutely yanbu. YWBU to risk giving it to others.

peggyundercrackers · 11/12/2015 09:51

If you went to work the following day I think it's fine, you are allowed to get better and do normal things...

BeanGirls · 11/12/2015 09:51

I think it would reflect badly on you if you were seen by a colleague.

Original poster
Daisysbear · 11/12/2015 10:00

Thanks. Feel less guilty now.

OP posts:
BondJayneBond · 11/12/2015 10:02

YANBU

Bogburglar99 · 11/12/2015 10:04

Also from a health protection point of view, in a place where lots of people are eating and food being handled, having just got over diarrhoea? Not a good look. You are likely to be infectious for another 48 hours or so.

Hope you feel better soon though!

battlebacktonewlife · 11/12/2015 10:10

Yeah my rule is, if you are too sick for work that day then other than a quick trip the shops for essential medicine you should not be seen out that day.

Finola1step · 11/12/2015 10:10

You're right to cancel. For 3 reasons.

  1. It is not fair on the restaurant to eat there knowing that you probably have a tummy bug.
  1. If you are spotted by a colleague, it will look like you are taking the piss. Not that people can't go out when off sick, if appropriate. So meal out with a tummy bug would be off limits. Just as ice skating would be off limits if you were off work due to a broken ankle.
  1. Your digestive system would probably benefit from a day of plain foods. Nothing spicy or too rich.

Rearrange. Would you really enjoy it anyway?

WorraLiberty · 11/12/2015 10:12

YANBU

You need to keep yourself isolated anyway.

angelos02 · 11/12/2015 10:12

YANBU. I'd expect to be sacked if I was spotted out in a restaurant when I'd phoned in sick. As a pp said, a quick pop to the shops for medicine is OK but other than that, you shouldn't be seen out and about.

FireCrotch · 11/12/2015 10:15

When I was a hairdressing junior I called in sick (I'd had d&v during the night. It was the mid 90's and not everyone had a mobile phone. My bosses wife answered and I said I wouldn't be in but would try the next day to come in. She responded with a 'hmm'. If anything I felt worse the next day but went in. She launched at me accusing me of faking illness. Her basis for this was that when I called in she could hear the tv in the background when j called. Hmm Apparently when you're off sick you sit staring at four walls all day. I spent so long on the loo with the runs and throwing up into paper sanitary bags that she started banging on the door threatening me with the sack. Her husband (my actual boss) removed her from the door. I left soon after when she accused me of stealing stock.

SolidGoldBrass · 11/12/2015 10:16

YANBU simply because it's bad form to go to a restaurant when you have a stomach bug: you might well spread it round the place.

Original poster
Daisysbear · 11/12/2015 10:22

Shock fire

OP posts:
diddl · 11/12/2015 10:25

I'm with peggy

I don't think a day off automatically means no night out, although with a bad stomach I wouldn't want to be eating out that same evening.

mouldycheesefan · 11/12/2015 10:34

Yes day off does automatically mean no night out.
I do remember sacking an employee who called in sick and then was photographed dancing in a club later. NB she already was in a disciplinary process for absence, this was the last straw.

AdoraBell · 11/12/2015 10:34

YANBU

A colleague once pulled a sickie claiming upset stomach, went out that night and bumped into the boss in the restaurant. Boss was very pleasant and asked skiver colleague how she was feeling and pointedly made no mention of her having been off sick.

angelos02 · 11/12/2015 10:35

diddl I disagree. I wouldn't risk going out in the evening if I'd been off sick from work during the day in case I was seen by someone that knew me at work. A night out would not be worth losing my job over.

Birdsgottafly · 11/12/2015 10:36

Eat at home and meet up in a pub for a drink.

I agree with not going to a restaurant with a stomach bug, but it's fine to not be well enough for work, which involves getting up early, travelling and working, as opposed to sitting somewhere drinking.

diddl · 11/12/2015 10:38

"Yes day off does automatically mean no night out."

Is that the law then or just your opinion?

leaningtoweroflego · 11/12/2015 10:40

If you want to see her and feel up to it, how about you invite your friend over instead - but caution her it's at her own risk as you could still be infectious.

Or not if you don't fancy it!

Judydreamsofhorses · 11/12/2015 10:42

I would never go out in the evening if I'd been off sick that day - I think it's just poor form and looks like you've been taking the mick. I had time off a few weeks ago with a really heavy cold and was completely paranoid about being spotted just nipping to the local Tesco Express for more tissues.

DrGoogleWillSeeYouNow · 11/12/2015 10:42

YANBU. You would be thoroughly taking the piss to go out to a restaurant having been off with D&V that day.