AIBU sickness and absence at work

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

Last week, I started a temporary job assignment through a recruitment agency (the assignment is expected to last 4 months altogether).

I’ve been really unwell this weekend with the flu, and have ended up being sick a couple of times as well. I’ve been asleep for most of today, and am still feeling really unwell. Have a splitting headache.

I’ve drafted an email to my work supervisor, and to the recruitment agency supervisor who I’ve been asked to report to, to let them know that I won’t be in work because of illness tomorrow.

I’m planning on sending the email to them around 7am tomorrow (before 9am, when I need to be in work by), and then phoning/texting my recruitment agency supervisor to let her know. I’ve been told I need to let them both know.

In the email, I’ve said:

Dear [Recruitment Agency Supervisor] and [Work Supervisor],

I hope that you’re both well.

This is just to let you both know that unfortunately I’ve been unwell with the flu all weekend, and am still feeling unwell today. I’m really sorry about this.

Please let me know if I can provide any further information. I’ll check this email address throughout the day, and will reply to your requests or messages as soon as possible.

I can be contacted on this email address or on my mobile number.

Kind regards,

WellAlwaysHaveParis.

I’m just worried that my absence will count against me, as one of my colleagues (also temporary) was really ill with the flu all last week, but they came into work every day regardless.

In my contact with the agency and the employer, it says that after 3 days of absence due to illness, I might be entitled to statutory sick pay. So it’s suggesting that I wouldn’t be entitled to it after one day.

AIBU to ask whether my email is okay, and if anyone knows about the sick pay entitlement after one day for agency workers? Oh and whether I might look like a wuss for staying off with flu when my colleague went in last week? (I know this last question is daft).

Thanks very much for your help.

Statutory sick pay is only paid after 3 days absence, as they correctly say.

Your email is fine, if you are sick, you are sick.. But the client needs staff so I would send the email now then if your agency accesses their email regularly they can put a plan in place and be prepared in the morning.

Good idea, CrispButty, about sending the email now. Thanks.

I’ve now changed the first paragraph slightly to:

‘This is just to let you both know that I won’t be in work tomorrow as unfortunately I’ve been unwell with the flu all weekend, and am still feeling unwell today. I’m really sorry about this.’

Just wondering is there’s a way I can make it seem more professional, or if it’s okay as it is?

Your brave colleague who came in despite having the flu last week has given you the flu. Yay.

Your email sounds fine to me; I agree with the pp - send it sooner rather than later.

Just to say, I remember your previous threads where you were job hunting - really pleased you've found something, even if only temporary. I hope it proves to be a stepping stone to the political/charitable career you're seeking. Best of luck!

Your colleague was an idiot for going into work and passing her germs around but as temps if you don't work you don't get paid but the bills still come in.. It's bloody hard. And, if it was actually flu she really wouldnt have been able to make it out if bed.

@PuppyMonkey yep 🙄😕

@ScreamingValenta thanks so much :)

Just to ask as well - I’m just worried that being off will count against me, as it’s a temporary contract.

I’d also booked a week’s holiday last November (before I knew I had this job), which I can’t cancel now unfortunately, as it’s a volunteering holiday. The agency says I just need to tell them when I’ve got holiday booked, and I’ve told them already, but I’m just worried it’ll give them a bad impression of me.

I'd take out the paragraph offering extra information. You're opening yourself up to them asking for a doctor's note.

I've had real flu once in my life - it floored me for a fortnight. I doubt ypur colleague had real flu if they were in work.

Your email is fine though - payment is definitely not till after 3 days though as far as I'm aware

Thanks @QuestionableMouse and @PlaymobilPirate.

I would take out the second paragraph. Also you haven't specified you are not going in to work, surely it's vital that you say so?

@playmobil pirate. Yes. This. When I had flu I couldn’t have cared less, let alone been able to drag my ass into work

Whoops good point @georgeoutside, thanks - I’ve now amended it:

‘This is just to let you both know that I won’t be in work tomorrow as unfortunately I’ve been unwell with the flu all weekend, and am still feeling unwell today. I’m really sorry about this.’

If your colleague made it into work she definitely didn't have flu and if you have it don't expect to be back to work any time soon

That is nonsense, flu can be severe or mild in clinical presentation.

If you are ill, then you are ill. It does sound like you caught something from your sick colleague! However, if you have real flu you will be very ill for up to 2 weeks, and you won't be able to think about going to work - staying alive will be your ambition! Get well soon

You might want to add that you've been sick. No way they'll want you in when you've been sick.

Don't bother with I hope you are both well. That second version is better. I wouldn't bother asking if they want more information.

It's not flu. Your colleague wouldn't have been in and you wouldn't be doing emails and MNetting. I've had flu once. I couldn't physically move. It's a very bad cold, which can make you feel utterly shit btw. Your colleague was very selfish to come in when they were like that.

I think I might say a flu-type illness instead of flu. As folk have said flu will take you weeks to recover from. Hope you feel better soon. DS said he had flu for a day.

My employers have always had a policy by which you must phone in sick, not text or email. What have you been told?

Hope you feel better soon.

How do you know it is the flu? Unless a doctor has diagnosed you, I would be a little less definite and say "flu-like symptoms". But do send it earlier rather than later, as others say.

I would phone rather than email tbh.

It will count against you, yes. But if you’re sick, you’re sick.

I once lost an ongoing temporary contract where I was told the week before I was well liked and respected because I took the day off after my nan’s funeral, they’d been understanding enough and it showed me as unreliable apparently. Was my first absense and there was Nothing I could do about it.

Yes I hav what’s flu twice for the first 4 days I thought I wa dying and couldn’t get out of bed. I had nothing to drink and was sweating so much with high temperature and shivering I got a water infection.
I think your colleague probably had a cold rather than flu.