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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Sick hairdresser

89 replies

YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 11/03/2018 08:21

I've been going to a hair salon for years. It's close to home and I know the owner quite well now.

I was booked in to have my roots done on Thursday. When I got there, the lady who put the colour on was very quiet and not chatty which isn't like her, but I just assumed she was having a rough day or something.

When she was washing my hair, she said "oh I feel wobbly again!" and explained she had a viral bug. She said she'd been in bed the previous day with a fever, aches and pains and vomiting and she still felt really unwell.

She felt wobbly again while blow drying my hair, so I just got her to blow it straight and not style it as I just wanted to get away from her.

I started feeling sick myself on Friday night. I had the fever and pains all day yesterday so I couldn't go on a family day out I'd planned with my children. I still feel ill this morning and I'll have to cancel a mothers day meal at my parents as my Dad is terminally ill so I don't want to pass my germs on to him.

AIBU to think she shouldn't have been in work if she was still ill? I'm just upset my weekend has been ruined as it seems like I've caught her bug. I'd rather have rescheduled the appointment than be ill.

Should I message the salon owner with a friendly complaint? I'm not going to rant or bad mouth him to others - just explain what has happened so he can stop his staff passing bugs onto other customers in future.

OP posts:

TheQueenOfWands · 11/03/2018 18:55

It is shit.

Not really relevant to the thread, but a while back I got smacked around the head by an elderly man to who I was looking after (work in a dementia home). Was properly knocked off my feet. Blacked out. Vomiting. Phoned a colleague who not only came and finished my shift but her husband took me to A&E.

Did I still get paid for the shift? Nope.

The minute I left and my colleague took over my pay was cut.

We're paid so little. I do 36 hours but the cost of living is rising. I was really struggling the following weeks. Not only was my pay short by about 10 hours but I was still dealing with the aftermath of concussion.

And my boss never even text to ask how I was.

I lose sleep over money. I can't up my hours due to severe depression and everything's such a struggle.

That turned into a right old wings. I do apologise!!

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 11/03/2018 18:58

That is an issue with the home you work for and your management. How they operate is not the right way.

GummyGoddess · 11/03/2018 20:41

I'm really surprised at these responses. I've seen numerous threads about someone going into work sick and they're almost unanimously told how selfish they are.

I don't think you're unreasonable. Ok she may need the money, but what about all the other people she could potentially make ill who also need money and may be too sick to work? Surely one sick person losing out for a day is better than many people being infected and then getting sick?

Also completely disgraceful there's no sick pay for the poor hairdresser. Everyone should be entitled to basic sick pay, not just the statutory pay, she must have felt she had no other choice but to go in.

Saz1995 · 11/03/2018 20:47

I'm a self employed hairdresser and I would much rather lose a day or two of pay and recover properly rather than spread it or hinder my recovery. However not everyone is as lucky as me that they are able to take a day off without worrying about pay. It's a tricky one.

I hope you feel better soon OP xx

Sprinklesinmyelbow · 11/03/2018 20:54

“Surely one sick person losing out for a day is better than many people being infected and then getting sick?”

I’m 😱 at posts like this. A days pay? What if that means a bill can’t be paid? The rent can’t be paid? Seriously?! I earn good money and I would miss a days pay.

GummyGoddess · 11/03/2018 22:37

@Sprinklesinmyelbow so it's OK for one person to potentially jeopardise the bill payment of many people?

Pleasebeafleabite · 11/03/2018 22:54

Yanbu OP

I’ve had this at the hairdressers before. She should have mentioned she was still ill with a vomiting virus so you could have cancelled or as a bare minimum refused a cup of tea

Fruitcorner123 · 11/03/2018 23:02

Can't believe I have read so many responses saying you are unreasonable! Had you not had symptoms before the weekend you would have spent today with your dad and put him at serious risk.

IMO you must complain to the manager but in your complaint mention that you feel they should have a 48hr rule and a policy on sick pay which reflects this. People think they are being martyrs by forcing themselves into work when they are ill. In fact they are being incredibly selfish and reckless with other people's health.

Sprinklesinmyelbow · 12/03/2018 07:15

“GummyGoddess

@Sprinklesinmyelbow so it's OK for one person to potentially jeopardise the bill payment of many people?”

Tbh that’s not really a question. No one thinks like that when they’re struggling through their own life.

GummyGoddess · 12/03/2018 16:04

It is a question, and people do think that way. It's pretty much what people on this thread are saying, as long as they're OK, it doesn't matter that their actions affect others.

Sprinklesinmyelbow · 12/03/2018 17:02

No. I might think- I am in secure employment with paid sick leave and a good record.

If I were on the verge of being dismissed, maybe for the 3rd time in 3 years, and I have a family dependant on me and no savings, and I’m going to lose a days wages. Well then yes. I’d be stupid not to think of myself first because taking more time off than I need has serious consequences

niccyb · 12/03/2018 18:36

Unfortunately in modern day, many employers will encourage people to come to work and see how they feel especially if they are short staffed. It happens all the time in the NHS.

Lovesagin · 12/03/2018 18:44

But where is the line? The start of a virus is just as contagious as the end surely? so should I stay off if I feel a cold coming on? A bit of a dodgy stomach that may or may not be a bug? If I've got a raging cough but feel 100% ok?

Celticrose · 12/03/2018 19:18

We had a visitor once with a chest infection which got passed to my asthmatic DH. He was off work for 2 months. At the start he saw the doctor 4 times in one day to get the nebuliser to keep him breathing. At the last time when doctor called to our house (it was a while ago) he left the nebuliser with us as DH would probably need it and if doctor needed it he would come and get it off us. Very scary. Even when back at work it still took a least a year to fully recover. So people should if not well keep their germs to themselves thank you. After that it used to piss me off when someone came into work saying they had a chest infection and cough and splutter their germs all over the place. It was a case of look at me the dedicated employee. (They would have got paid so no reason to come in except to make themselves look good for the management)

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