To take tomorrow off even though it's going to leave work horribly short staffed

[Almondtree]

Back story is I have severe endometriosis with a lot of scar tissue in my abdomen. it frequently causes heavy bleeding and I am under a gynaecologist. Have had surgery several times in past. I take high strength painkillers to control the pain but sometimes just can't manage with it.
All last week I could feel a flare up coming on. - chronic fatigue setting in worse than it usually is, bleeding on and off and recurring pain worsening. Haven't had time off in about 3 months for it.
This weekend I have been in complete agony barely able to move (please no sarky comments about how if you were in that much pain, you wouldn't be able to post to mumsnet) I have vomited a couple of times due to pain.
Twice in the last 24h have had a sudden gush of bleeding, straight through pads and clothes. This is my 'norm' on a flare up but am going to try and get in touch with gynae nurse tomorrow.
However my manager really begrudges time off for anything and it's struggle to even get AL approved as we are so short on staff and staff sickness means she has to do extra hrs or the service must close for staff shortage. i know she will not be happy about me taking the time off but the thought of having to drive to work tomorrow and spend all day there when I'm bleeding heavily and in so much pain is making me want to bursts in to tears. I just want my painkillers and my bed and my hot water bottle. I know my boss is not going to be happy at all and I will be impacting th seRvice by not going to work.

Sorry posted too soon. Would you go and work through if you were me to avoid repercussions and impacting work negatively? Also worried for job security with chronic illness. :(

Seems like a reasonable reason to be off sick to me. If you see a doctor/nurse can you get a note from them to explain/shut your manager up?

Oh and because you are feeling bad.

Dalek I can try but not sure if they would give me a sick note unless I needed to be off more than a week?

It's not tomorrow, yet.

Take your pain killers and see how you feel then.

I'm a manager and it irritates me when people "expect" to be off. I have no problem if you're ill - just tell me on the day. It actually puts more pressure on the remaining staff when people talk about how they "think they are going to not be well enough to come in tomorrow".

I get more people phoning in sick as a result of worrying about being left to pick the work up.

See how you are tomorrow, perhaps try to go in? See how it goes and then decide?

Naturally, if you wake up really poorly, then you don't go in and your manager should be understanding. Just please appreciate that your manager is not upset with your absence, they are just stressing about managing it.

Are you physically and mentally able to work? No.
Yes it will impact on the service you provide but guess what thats not your problem. Thats your managers problem. That is why tjey get paid more. It is not your fault that they are short staffed.

Having said that, does your manager know that you have endometriosis and understand what it is? Is it classed as a disability under the equalities act? Are you likely to face a disciplinary?

it sounds serious, I can't imagine doing driving and staying focused when you feel like this, you certainly need to see doctor, for all you know it could be worse tomorrow.
Hope you feel better soon .

redexpat its blurred line as to whether or not it's classed as a disability. I was reading the other week that disability legislation applies to anyone who has a long term condition which impacts on their day to day life. Just feel like a fraud as I am in pain and tired most of the time, just it's sometimes more manageable than other days. My workplace know I have endometriosis as I have had time off in past due to surgery and gynae appts, as well as days like today.

Being unreasonable doesn't come into it. Yes it will inconvenience people, but That's not your fault.

You're not well end of story, Sadly, Alhough there's never a right time. These things always seem to flare up at the worse time.

YANBU

If you’re not well enough to work then you shouldn’t work.

If the manager can’t manage it due to staff shortages, then that’s not your fault. They should be looking to address the reason for staff shortages, not blaming individuals for being ill. Being chronically understaffed can increase sickness as people struggle with the stress.

Not a sick note exactly, just one explaining the condition (if you are happy with that) and the seriousness of it. My doctor did this for me when my work were being difficult. Once they had the letter their attitude changed completely. The doctor checked with me with how it was worded so that he didn't reveal anything that I didn't want him to. It took him about thirty seconds to do it so it didn't inconvenience him, I think it's a fairly normal thing for them to do.

Dont go in, its not your fault that other people are off sick too and they are short staffed. I carried on working when i was miscarrying and it was awful, but i dont think i was losing blood like that. I couldnt think of anything worse than being in work and bleeding and being in pain. Its not like you are faking. Does your manager know about it? You can be very apologetic but you need to put yourself first. In my experience (former nurse), you dont get any thanks for dragging yourself in when youre ill.

Sorry just read they are aware. Stay home and look after yourself

Going to see how tonight / tomorrow is - no point unnecessarily stressing my manager out on a Sunday night at all. If I'm up through the night that's usually a bad sign so hoping I can get a decent nights sleep and the pain eases off

YANBU

You can’t be expected to go into work when there’s a very high chance you’ll flood through any and all protection & clothing. Not to mention feel so dreadful. Stay home, look after yourself and when you feel up to it, make sure everything is being done that can be done by your gynae. For your benefit, not works.

They might not like it, but tough. The fact they’re chronically short staffed is not your fault.