....to do a sickie tomorrow because my house is an absolute tip, I'm beyond exhausted & I need to pluck my eyebrows?

[Daisychainsandleather]

Evening all!
Help me make a decision if you will....
Single mum with very little support (none actually) ....
House is a tip! Can't find anything, have paperwork to sort out, really tired, loads of washing to do, the list is endless and I spent all day today on the verge of tears because I'm a bit stressed... (A lot stressed...)
I reckon I can get on top of everything in a day while kids at nursery/school.
Non eventful admin day tomorrow. No impact on colleagues....
AIBU to do a sickie? Haven't done one all year.... Oh yeah, eyebrows looking hideous!

Agree, crisscross. I was thinking the same.

Do it! If you are feeling that stressed I totally agree that it's better for your mental health to stay off.

YABU. It's people doing that which means that everyone else's sick days are questioned.

Make a to do list, planning when you'll do each thing, e.g. "sort out bank statements - tomorrow evening once DC are in bed; do washing - straight after work on Thurs." And stick to it. It's what I always do when I start getting overwhelmed with stuff that needs doing.

But right now, put kids to bed or stick them in front of a DVD. Go and pluck your eyebrows and give yourself a little treat to relax - light a nice candle, have a bath, read a magazine, or whatever.

Southofmaui - that was me being typically untrusting of my work colleagues and thinking about the same old people I speak to every week!

It's my job to take calls from staff who can't come in for any reason. I've been doing it for 9 years, so I've heard them all! My favourite was the teacher who left a message on the last day of spring term to say she had a migraine, probably because she was just absolutely exhausted (unlike the other 75 members of staff of course!) unfortunately, she got cut off half way through the call - so she says. What I heard was the announcement for the remaining passengers on a flight! She was at the fucking airport!!

Do it! One a year is fine in my opinion.

Err no. Needing to pluck your eyebrows and tidy up is not exactly being sick is it....

I feel guilty phoning in sick when I am ill.

I just couldn't phone in and lie, I'd feel guilty all day and wouldn't enjoy it.

I'd then feel crap when I went back as I'd need to lie to friends/colleagues/boss, then lie at the subsequent return to work interview.

Not worth it.

I don't know OP. Because you might find the day taken off stressing about the implications, which could add further to your stressful situation.

Which will give you the most stress in the long term? I do think taking care of your mental well-being is key. I should imagine it's soul destroying coming home after a full day's work to an untidy house.

Is there anyone (I realise you have no support) who could take DC on your days off, then spend one day getting everything in order, and the other day off relaxing and luxuriating in your lovely, tidy home?

Wow! Wasn't expecting all these posts. Thank you everyone.
In my job I can't do 'last minute annual leave' sadly (didn't even know that was a thing!?)
I'm so torn. I know it's dishonest but I'm looking at it as a mental health thing. If I'm getting this overwhelmed & stressed out I can't function well & that impacts on my kids & they the most important thing in my life. Sadly Thurs & Fri would impact on colleagues & others a lot if I took A/L.
Like someone else who posted, I work my arse off, rarely have proper lunchbreaks & feel like I'm gonna have to do this....... Arghhhhhh!

If you feel stressed its valid to be off. iGnore the idiot so hob say yo're not sick. £15billion is lost a year due to presenter ism at work and a day off for stress can be amazing to recharge the batteries. However, don't go back into work with amazing eyebrows.

Well, autocorrect screwed me over but hopefully you get my point!

Just do it! Only on MN is there this much hysteria over 1 day off .

I'm on a zero hours contract and feeling really poorly. I lost a whole days hours yesterday as ended up in A&E - they would have operated last night but had no beds (hernia). Waiting for a date for op. I also got a full-on stonker of a cold yesterday (timing!!) and woke up feeling like someone was sticking pins in my tonsils this morning. I went to work today feeling like hell on earth because I don't get sick pay and can't afford another days loss of hours. I would say YABU simply out of jealousy that you have the option to call in sick - even if you aren't. Don't abuse that privelige right!

If you feel stressed its valid to be off. iGnore the idiot so hob say yo're not sick. £15billion is lost a year due to presenter ism at work and a day off for stress can be amazing to recharge the batteries.

How much is lost through people 'pulling sickies'

Or should everyone start taking days off whenever they want, for tidying and eyebrow plucking and still get paid for it

Do it!

No. Don't do it. It's wrong. You know that.

I felt like this today. I would have called in sick but I'm self-employed and skint so I cried on the landing instead.

Yes, why not....life's too short to worry about the odd day off.
Have s nice one

Oh do it half the country bloomin well does. Just work extra hard on Thurs. what you gonna say is wrong with you ?

She was at the fucking airport

That's hysterical! What a cheek! I would never do THAT!

OP, sometimes it's easier to show your face and come home because you are not feeling well. It prevents the guilt!

No i think ywbmassivelyu.
You're not sick (and i really hope you're just joking about the eyebrows).
Sort some of your stuff out now or on your actual days off.

YABU.

Not right to lie to your employers.

Consider asking for a day's leave, but please don't cheat your employer like this.

YANBU. you are not ill.

Take annual leave or ask for unpaid leave (you can request up to 3 weeks unpaid parental leave until DC turns 5).

How much is lost through people 'pulling sickies'

It's give and take. I arrive early, leave late and do countless hours of (unpaid) overtime. No guilt whatsoever. My employer treats me like a grown up, so I behave like one. I might even take an afternoon off to go to the dentist, no sickie, I am just not there. The company is not suffering from my odd day off.

If I was doing the bare minimum it would be a different story. People doing 9 to 5 religiously, making sure they take every single of their break can't expect the same sympathy.

It would also be different if I was affecting other people. I am not, at worst someone has to take a message and I deal with whatever from home.

Seriously, it's a day off. If is something you do very rarely it really isn't a big deal. I would be less inclined to do it if it means lots of extra work for someone else but if it doesn't impact on anyone else too greatly bloody go for it.

Sometimes you just need to look after yourself. You clearly need it. Call in sick and enjoy it.