To go to work ill...

[Veryillperson2737]

WIBU to go to work quite ill tomorrow and possibly infectious?

I have a very sore throat, feels like sandpaper. A temperature. Feel ill and weak in general. Occasional violent sneeze. Also occasional hacking, coughing fits. Loads of phlegm. Runny nose. Headache from coughing/ sniffing.

Oh and I work around food.

So far I know I sound completely unreasonable...

But here's why I want to go to work ill:

My manager has recently sent out an email saying days off due to illness are not allowed through out December. The exact words of his in the email were, "I will not allow it."

I won't be able to find cover as none of my colleagues will want to spend their day off in this rather awful workplace.

We are already hideously short staffed, so much so that my appearance will be the decider on whether or not the coffee shop opens or not.

I am already on thin ice as I've taken my legally allowed breaks during busy days when my manager has instructed that we 'don't need breaks.' On nine/ten hour shifts. I've also been reprimanded for not being able to do last minute shifts and not accepting overtime.

My job is shite but I need the money urgently. If I don't go in tomorrow I could potentially, very likely lose my job. I know I can say I've been unfairly dismissed and maybe get it back in time or get another job but the fact is right need I need to keep my job.

So WIBU to go to work tomorrow when so ill, given the fact calling in sick could make me lose my job?

And more importantly, WWYD?

I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place and right now I'm going to have to go in because I need to keep my job. I can't see any other options!

And yes I don't LIKE my job but it's bringing in money and that's all I care about.

Absolutely shouldn't have gone in if you're around good and infectious! I would have been pissed if I got ill due to you handling my food!

You can't be sacked for being ill. He just sounds like a cock.

You can be sacked for being ill. I suspect the op won't and shouldn't be but that is not a helpful myth to spread

Well you shouldn't but you sound a bit stuck!

You absolutely can be sacked for being ill. Most places have triggers etc in place.

To be clear I have not actually gone in yet.

And I know legally he shouldn't, doesn't mean he won't.

People have been fired for similar.

This is a workplace where working regulating and rights are fantasy.

Like I said it's a terrible place but I need the money and if I do get fired unreasonably I will lose money short term at least and even that I can't have right now.

Well it's not December yet!

I should have worded it better. You can be dismissed for long term illness or persistent time off. But this sounds like a couple of days? Surely that's not grounds for dismissal.

Would your boss rather someone notice you're sick and handling food and complain to whoever they complain to?

In places like this, I've gone in sock and coughed like fuck over the twat who made up the rules. Without fail I've been sent home without consequence.

Yes! Do that 😂 ^^

The first two hours I'll be working on my own with supervisor, out back. There's no customer entry here and no food or anything.

My other plan was to be very visibly ill so they have to send me home... if supervisor sends me home manager won't be as angry.

A supervisor went ill yesterday and was treated horribly. And that was a supervisor. I'm a new employee, they could easily discard of me and replace me. Hence why I'm so terrified.

This is a temporary, stop gap job after redundancy from a reasonable, well paying but very overcrowded market with little available jobs. I don't intend to stay long term but I do need to stay another few months at least.

I don't know what to say, as you say you need the money and can't afford to leave right now.

Ideally I want to tell you NOT to go in and to contact ACAS/HR/your union about these unreasonable working conditions. Its illegal to deny breaks, or face being reprimanded if you do. Its illegal to say they "won't allow" sickness. Although if you've taken far too many sick days, this is a legal reason for sacking someone).

But you say you need to work. So go in.

I'd like to think your manager would have the sense to send you home and find cover. But from what you say, it sounds doubtful.

Either way, you need to seek proper employment advice....

www.gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights

Go. It sounds like a horrible job with a terrible manager. If people get ill because you had to go in ill, so be it. Besides, let’s not get all sanctimonious here, we’ve all gone into work ill. I’ve got colleagues coming in with horrible coughs/runny noses/sth that looks a lot worse than a normal cold. I’ve gone in with a temperature and also with a stomach bug. You have no choice if the alternative is unemployment!!! And yes, he’s likely to fire you if you don’t go in.