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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New job, unwell with high temperature... WWYD?

102 replies

AngeloMysterioso · 11/12/2017 07:18

I started my new job 3 weeks ago after redundancy... I began to feel quite unwell yesterday afternoon and have woken up feeling pretty awful with a temp of 38.5°.
I’ve emailed my lovely HR woman so see what she advises... on the one hand I don’t want to have to take time off so soon, but at the same time it might be the kind of office where they think people who go in when they’re ill are dickheads.

WWYD?

OP posts:
InfiniteCurve · 11/12/2017 07:51

What is wrong with the world??
A temperature of 101 plus is a sign that you have an infection,and it's giving you horrible symptoms.
For heavens sake,stay at home.No one in your workplace is going to want to catch it,and if your workplace actually prefers people to go into work sick then not pandering to them would be a good idea.
Very few people's jobs are so important ( to society ,not to them obviously) that they need to stagger in sick spreading it around.

deepestdarkestperu · 11/12/2017 07:52

You're an adult! You shouldn't be emailing work and asking if they think you're well enough to attend.

You're clearly unwell, so take the day off and rest. A day of bed rest, plenty of paracetamol and OJ and you might feel fine tomorrow. But that's your decision to make, not HR's.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 11/12/2017 07:53

Sounds like you've got a chest infection. I developed one while pregnant that needed very strong antibiotics to shift.

ShiftyMcGifty · 11/12/2017 07:53

“It's not really appropriate to email the lovely woman in HR to ask for advice - you've really put her on the spot now and kind of handed the decision over to her to make!

Which was entirely my intention... she knows the office attitude towards sickness far better than I do! If she says come in and see how you feel then I will. If she says hell no stay far away then.”

Again it wasn’t appropriate. She has to tell you to stay home because if she said anything else, she’s opening up the company to liability. It shows you’re not that sick and you’re cowardly.

MsHarry · 11/12/2017 07:54

The things are always a 5-/50 split with the martyrs at one extreme and the work shy at the other. Most will fall inbetween. There are 2 things here;
1.Could you go to work physically?
2.Should you?

I had something similar a couple of years back but only work mornings so I dosed up and struggled through the morning feeling wretched but knowing I would deb home after lunch and just fell into bed. I think it fragged on for 2 weeks. Perhaps if I'd stayed home I would have recovered quicker.

MsHarry · 11/12/2017 07:55

These things are always 50/50! Damn keyboard.

tampinfuminragin · 11/12/2017 07:55

Could you take some paracetamol for the fever and go in? Better to go in and be sent home.

I wouldn't email HR like you have done, I would make a decision.

MsHarry · 11/12/2017 07:55

Dragged ! Fgs!

Bitlost · 11/12/2017 07:56

Stay home. Honestly - I don't get people who say to dose up. You're going to make yourself even more ill if you go in as well as potentially spread your illness. Hope you feel better soon.

raisinsarenottheonlyfruit · 11/12/2017 07:57

If I was your pregnant colleague I'd be really unimpressed and fearful that I would get it.

I'd stay home.

MsHarry · 11/12/2017 07:58

Remember that dosing is just masking, not curing.

Ishouldcocomonkey · 11/12/2017 07:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gwenhwyfar · 11/12/2017 08:01

"I always feel it’s better to go in obviously Ill and leave again than not go in at all. Sucks but often true. "

This is only if your employers suspect you of malingering. Why would you do it otherwise?
I have done this once. It was because I'd had a few days' leave and I do think a day off sick after being on holiday looks suspicious so I forced myself to go in only to be throwing up in the toilets. Wasn't contagious, I don't think, but not very nice really.

deepestdarkestperu · 11/12/2017 08:02

Why on earth are people recommending she goes in? She has a swollen sore throat, a temperature, a splitting headache and a cough - even if she's fit enough to drive, what would be the point?

She'll be in pain and miserable and not really fit for much - why not stay home, sleep and rest? I never understood going into work when you're clearly unwell - nobody else wants to get sick and the world won't stop spinning just because you need a day in bed.

Itchytights · 11/12/2017 08:04

If you aren’t well, then stay at home.

However, only you can make that decision. Asking on a public forum what to do is a bit rubbish imo.

You will get mixed opinions but as you have seen many are saying go in. Just share your germs and feel unwell too. Jeez, no wonder these things are rife in both workplaces AND Schools.

It’s fucking bonkers Shock

FuckyNellYaBastad · 11/12/2017 08:05

Ok ok can I just point out please that even a chest infection in otherwise healthy individuals go away on their own without the beef for antibiotics. Your free NHS quote of the day Xmas Wink

JaneyEJones · 11/12/2017 08:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gwenhwyfar · 11/12/2017 08:07

"She has to tell you to stay home because if she said anything else, she’s opening up the company to liability. It shows you’re not that sick and you’re cowardly."

Also means they can't tell her off for not coming in now. Quite clever really.

Sullabylullaby · 11/12/2017 08:10

I wouldn't appreciate you spreading your germs if I was your colleague, but employers are tough these days. The good ones pay for private healthcare, gym membership etc. as they know keeping employees well and fit and healthy costs them less, but some are brutal. You were right to ask HR. Particularly so soon into a new job.

londonrach · 11/12/2017 08:12

Dh was vvvv ill the first week of a new job. He honestly told them yet. He started his nee job one week late having had one week of sick pay. Fingers crossed hes not had sick pay for three years now. Yiu are ill tell them. Its stressful starting a new job without not being on top form. Rest and get well x

Original poster
AngeloMysterioso · 11/12/2017 08:16

I wasn’t trying to be clever or manipulative (and certainly not cowardly, but thanks for that assertion) by asking HR, I just wanted some guidance as I don’t know what the company attitude is to sickness. As it is she’s suggested I get to the Doctors, and reminded me that someone I work with was off with a chest infection on Friday. To be honest the thought of doing anything beyond lying in bed makes me want to cry.

OP posts:
guestofclanmackenzie · 11/12/2017 08:17

I don't understand why you felt the need to seek advice from HR? Surely self certification is self certification regardless of the company? You're an adult and need to make the decision yourself as only you truly knows how capable you are at doing your job!

I think you just wanted her to tell you to stay at home.

I also never understand these people who ask if they can stay off sick...or go to work and then ask if they can go home!

You need to remember you're an adult, stop being wishy washy and either explain you are not fit to go to work and will be staying off.. Or dose up and go in and if you still feel like crap and need to go home, tell them that... Not ask!

Dozer · 11/12/2017 08:19

Innappropriate to have contacted HR. You’re unfit to work and could pass on nasty bugs to colleagues, so you’ll have to take sick leave.

NeilPetark · 11/12/2017 08:21

It’s not up to HR to decide if you’re sick.

NapQueen · 11/12/2017 08:22

In my last job it really used to piss me off when people put their sickness in my hand.

Either you have d&v in which case it is cut and dry. See you in 3 days min.

Or you make a decision about whether you feel well enough to come in and work. Then you tell me your decision.