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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To send this email to work?

84 replies

Pleasehelpaicknessss · 02/08/2017 08:40

"I am emailing to let you know that unfortunately I am feeling very unwell, after coming down with food poisoning symptoms late ast night. I am currently trying to book a doctor's appointment for later this morning and will do my best to come in later today if things improve at all; in the meantime, I am happy to work from home"

OP posts:
ButchyRestingFace · 02/08/2017 09:14

in the meantime, I am happy to work from home

Leave that part off, otherwise you'll sound like you just want a sofa day.

stonecircle · 02/08/2017 09:19

Saying you'll try and come in later or will work from home makes it sound like you're not that ill.

How can you know it's food poisoning and not a stomach bug which you would then pass on to people at work or in the doctor's waiting room?

Why do you need to see a doctor anyway?

Just ring and speak to your manager and say you've got a bug or food poisoning so can't go to work.

Pengggwn · 02/08/2017 09:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 02/08/2017 09:22

If I received that email I'd think it was a hangover!

I'd ring, say you have a stomach bug/D&V.

No need for the bit about a doctor. If you are well enough to post this on mumsnet you are (probably) not ill enough to need a doctor for food poisoning. Nobody would expect you to see a GP after twelve hours of D&V.

Keep warm and hydrated, and wrap yourself up on the sofa with some Netflix.

JetBoyJetGirl · 02/08/2017 09:25

If you're ill, phone and say you're ill.

It does sound like you're making it up and having a touch of a guilty conscience so trying to ameliorate it a little.

When I've had d&v so badly that I have had to phone in sick, I've barely been able to move. If you're well enough to offer to work or come in later if you feel better, then you're well enough to go to work.

And you don't need to see a dr if you came down with a bit of d&v last night. You're an adult not a baby.

humblesims · 02/08/2017 09:26

Agree with others. Phone dont email.
On a side note...Never start an email with "I'm just emailing..." It goes without saying. Just a bugbear of mine. Hope you feel better soon.

PrimalLass · 02/08/2017 09:28

When I had food poisoning I could not move except to crawl to the loo.

FrogsSitonLogs · 02/08/2017 09:33

If you're ill you're ill, you shouldn't be working from home. Where I work we have to phone.

YorksMa · 02/08/2017 09:35

I manage people and 'ill so working at home' annoys me - and it annoys HR. Fair enough if you've a broken ankle and it's travel that is the problem. But if you are ill, you are either too ill to work, or not. Either come in, or stay home ill.

schoolgaterebel · 02/08/2017 09:36

Phone in don't email.

JamAndBread · 02/08/2017 09:38

I assume you've spoken to someone by now OP?

If you're ill, you're ill. Snuggle down and wait for it to all blow over. (And as PP have said - don't go to the GP with this unless there's some underlying issue.)

kaytee87 · 02/08/2017 09:38

When I had food poisoning I could not move except to crawl to the loo.

I know, when I had it I was hospitalised for 2 days. I certainly couldn't have posted online, made it to a doctors, worked from home, considered going into work later in the day. I genuinely thought i was dying, it was horrendous. I was about 9yo at the time and lost half a stone.

Food poisoning is very rare. It's a bit like people saying they have the flu when it's a cold.

Noregretsatall · 02/08/2017 09:44

Why do you have two threads on this? I hope you feel better soon.

TonicAndTonic · 02/08/2017 09:45

If I had symptoms of food poisoning I wouldn't be offering to 'do my best' to go in to work later the same day. GP is unlikely to be able to tell if its an infectious cause or not (if they agree to see you at all for this), so you should stay away from your coworkers until at least 24h (preferably 48h) after your last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.

Where I work you also have to phone in, not email.

monkeysox · 02/08/2017 09:45

I've had food poisoning (notifiable to environmental health) felt OK but v tired. Every time I ate I had to run to the loo.
I could have sat at a computer for a couple of hours.
Depends on what it is and the person. but pp are right. You shouldn't be going to work with d or v symptoms as they'll spread.

gingergenius · 02/08/2017 09:47

Are you trying to pull a sickie?

Travis1 · 02/08/2017 09:50

Why wouldn't you lift the phone and speak to someone? Email is a cop out

Cheerybigbottom · 02/08/2017 09:54

Phone them, say you are unwell. If you need to be close to a toilet only and are otherwise fine do some work from home if you are able. Don't email them, I don't know anywhere where that would be acceptable.

TuttiFruttiCutie · 02/08/2017 10:01

I'm one of those who goes in to work sick- brings all those germs with me. My employers (huge organisation) are very unsympathetic towards sick. We are disciplined if off 3 times in one year- obviously some people could be taking the piss but it could also be genuine. My employers never believe people are sick, automatically assume sickie! Hmm

I haven't had a day off sick in 5+ years.

Abra1d · 02/08/2017 10:02

It is quite possible to be ill enough to want to avoid a lengthy commute to work but able to do a few hours on a project after a rest.

I have never known any boss have a problem with this. Usually they just want the project completed as expeditiously as possible.

Perhaps I had enlightened employers.

Polarbearflavour · 02/08/2017 10:05

In my past few jobs people just text or email when they are sick! Much easier. I haven't rang in sick for years.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 02/08/2017 10:05

Always call and you're either well enough to work or not.

SpartacusSaiman · 02/08/2017 10:12

Depends on policy. Our companies policy is that you must ring in.

We dont allow people who are sick to work from home. You are either to sick to work or you are not.

Unless its (for example) a broken leg and its difficult to get to the office

Featherbag · 02/08/2017 10:13

If you really do have food poisoning symptoms (and not just an ordinary tummy bug) there is no way you'd be able to work from home, you'd be glued to the toilet with a bucket on the floor praying for death! If I received that email I'd think you likely had a hangover tbh! Anyway, you don't email in sick, you call in sick! Pick up the phone!

GahBuggerit · 02/08/2017 10:19

I had very unsympathetic employers in one of my previous jobs, no way could I have stayed off for 48 hours after the last bout of D&V, the kids used to bring home D&V bugs all the time from nursery so I had them often.

I'd usually be off for the day (or sometimes the bug would luckily hit me when I got home from work then Id be just about able to drag myself in the day after), maybe do a bit of work from home but still have it counted as a full sickness day and had no choice but to go back in to work as soon as I had stopped. Would have had formal absence management procedures instigated otherwise :(