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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be considering ringing in sick?

46 replies

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 11:45

I've started a new job. I've been there since August but I'm in a 6 month probation period.

The job is a mix of working from home and travelling.

I have some sort of horrible virus, chesty cough, temperature, shivers, headache - I feel dreadful.

If I was working from home tomorrow I'd be ok and I could just get on the sofa with a blanket and my laptop, but that's not the case.

I have to get up at 6am, leave the house at 7, take a 2.5 hour train to London, get the tube across London and then a train out to Burgess Hill which is just under and hour. Then attend an internal meeting till half three and then make the same journey back, getting home about 10pm. Plus there's the Southern Rail issue to factor in to things.

I don't want to ring in sick when I'm new and on probation but I really don't think I can handle the day. I could offer to VC in to the meeting and I could do other work from home. I'm really torn. The role feels a little precarious and as I'm on probation I'm only on a week's notice and I would be royally screwed if they let me go or I didn't pass probation.

WWYD? :(

OP posts:

VoodooPeople · 18/12/2016 12:47

You could email the company today saying how ill you feel and that if you feel the same tomorrow you will not be fit for work. Say that you will call in the morning to advise them one way or another.

I doubt they'd want you spreading a virus around so close to Christmas.

venusinscorpio · 18/12/2016 12:48

Definitely don't go in. I wouldn't be impressed at someone who's obviously ill coming in where they could infect me. I wouldn't offer to wfh either. As pp said they might just think you can't be arsed.

Mrscog · 18/12/2016 12:53

As a manager I would be fine with voodooPeople's suggestion above - email today to tip off then make official decision tomorrow.

Jaxhog · 18/12/2016 12:56

You are genuinely ill and managers aren't monsters! Chances are, she/he'd prefer you didn't come in and infect everyone else.

Phoning today shows that you're thinking ahead. This is a good thing. You may be able to brief your manager and spend tomorrow getting better.

Jaxhog · 18/12/2016 12:58

PS. I once went in while I was unwell and got a flea in my ear from my director and sent home. The 3 people who subsequently caught a virus all blamed me!

1horatio · 18/12/2016 13:05

Do NOT call your manager unless you not being here would lead to an emergency/bug potential loss.

Write your manager a mail where you say you're unsure whether you can attend and will contact them tomorrow.

Call them tomorrow morning. I would not offer to VC. If the manager thinks you don't look appropriately sick you're screwed.

1horatio · 18/12/2016 13:06

*big potential loss

Seriously, if somebody thinks they should call me on Sunday evening because they think they may be too sick to come to work tomorrow when that absence wouldn't even cause a terrible commotion?

I'd really dislike that person.

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 13:14

Right - I will email my manager to give them a heads up that I may not be able to attend. I will also text her to say I have emailed her and she's welcome to ring me but I didn't want to disrupt her weekend by calling.

If I feel better in the morning I'll go, if not I will call her and tell her I am no better and cannot attend. I will offer to VC to any essential parts of the meeting if required and do anything that has a Monday deadline from home

OP posts:

Trifleorbust · 18/12/2016 13:19

Honestly, offering to VC a meeting or work from home just makes you look like you're not ill and you can't be bothered coming to work. You should draw a line in the sand - too sick to work is too sick for any work.

Rachel0Greep · 18/12/2016 13:42

I agree. Forget about the VC bit. If you still feel very unwell tomorrow, the best thing would be to stay in bed.
Give the heads up today, by text or email, and confirm tomorrow. FWIW you don't sound in any fit state to take on all of that travelling, and such a long day.

So get whatever meds you need, and take care of yourself. Hope you feel better soon.

Judydreamsofhorses · 18/12/2016 13:48

I am just coming out of a similar virus. Last Sunday I pretty much knew I wasn't going to be well enough for Monday, so I wrote an email in the evening, but didn't send it and set my alarm as normal. Come Monday I'd had a busy night coughing and sweating, so sent the email at 6.30am. I think any reasonable manager would rather someone was off if they're genuinely ill.

Casz · 18/12/2016 13:49

Good plan.
If you do go in tomorrow, I would text your manager so they know to expect you.

catwoman0815 · 18/12/2016 13:54

you are ill - I would phone in sick. I wouldn't even offer the work from home/VC option. either you are ill or not.

If you think they may fire you for taking one day sick leave then I would consider my options and look elsewhere. Sounds like a horrible employer frankly.

GnomeDePlume · 18/12/2016 13:59

I am a manager and have people going through probation from time to time. No way would I use a one off incidence of sickness as a reason for getting rid of someone who was performing well. Being ill from time to time is normal.

Text today and call first thing tomorrow.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

SarahOoo · 18/12/2016 14:57

I work in a very similar job and I agree with someone above, you are either sick or not and should treat the job the same as if you worked in an office.

Based on what you've said just call in sick and if they ask you to do anything then of course say yes if you're able to but then it's their choice and you can't really be put down as sick for a full day.

JungleInTheRumble · 18/12/2016 15:27

I disagree about the either too sick to work or not. When I've got a cold and I'm blowing my nose every five minutes and sneezing/coughing all over the place I can still manage to get stuff done but only if I'm in my own place where I can sit comfortably, blow my nose and just generally feel ick. Plus the whole giving it to other people issue - especially so close to Christmas.

DailyFail1 · 18/12/2016 18:49

This is why London office workers get work from home, so don't worry about it. Any manager worth their salt will understand

DailyFail1 · 18/12/2016 18:50

Really disagree with sick or not. You can be well enough to work but too sick to handle a 3 hour commute.

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 20:25

I'm just about well enough to sit under a blanket and send out a few urgent contracts but I'm really not well enough to do the commute (which will be 5 hours each way due to an hour wait at Preston both ends, getting across London and then connections from London Bridge to Burgess Hill - and that's assuming Southern are running ok)

I'm just about to text her and say that I am ill, didn't want to call as it's Sunday night but she can call me and although I will see how I am in the morning it's really unlikely I am going to be able to come to work but will call to confirm in the morning. Hopefully she will understand :(

OP posts:

AlabasterSnowball · 18/12/2016 20:40

Don't go in tomorrow, trust me you're better at home.
I hope you get better very soon

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 18/12/2016 21:14

Thanks all for the get well wishes

No response to the text as yet but it is Sunday evening. I'll call first thing in the morning

OP posts:

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