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AIBU?

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Original poster

To tell DH's work to piss off?

28 replies

MacNcheese87 · 09/10/2018 11:18

DH called in sick today. He's very poorly with a D&V bug and he's gone back to bed with a bucket, wrapped up in countless layers because he has a low grade fever and chills.

He called in sick at 6.30am this morning, not sure who he spoke to (whether it was too early for the managers to be in, but he still spoke to someone in the office).

Since then, his phone has rang 3 times, all work. I don't usually have anything to do with his work, I'm not his mum, but AIBU to answer it and tell them to piss off?

They pile on so much pressure to not call in sick. Yesterday the tummy troubles began and he went in and explained to them he wasn't well. They said if he's well enough to come in then he's well enough to work, which wasn't true. He works as a driver so there isn't easy access to a bathroom.

He's much worse today. I suspect they will be angry he isn't answering his phone but he's upstairs really unwell and I'm downstairs next to his phone. I think when he wakes up he will be very worried about all the missed calls and hassle he will get when he's well enough to go back in.

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 09/10/2018 11:21

Answer it and tell them he is ill, asleep and in bed.

Tell them you or he will update them on his condition later today but PLEASE STOP CALLING.

greendale17 · 09/10/2018 11:22

Just switch the phone off

Surfinbird · 09/10/2018 11:22

Yes tell them to piss right off. You are allowed two self assessed sickness days from work, after that you need a doctors note. If he’s not better later it may be worth getting an appointment so he can rest properly and his work can’t find a way to get rid of him

Thebluedog · 09/10/2018 11:24

Yabu to tell them to piss off, your dh will be in a world of pain when he’s back in work, and he won’t thank you for it.

Simply switch the phone off. It’s prob all calls from people who don’t know he’s ill, once they don’t get a call back they’ll answer their own questions

goldrobin24 · 09/10/2018 11:24

He can self certify as unwell for 7 days in a row (including non working days) after which he would need a certificate from the doctor. I think maybe answer the phone & explain he is unwell & they will receive an update when possible. Only if you feel comfortable to do that.

BigChocFrenzy · 09/10/2018 11:27

Best to answer and say that he's ill in bed, rather than ignoring or switching off

That will avoid causing him aggro when he returns, as they sound unpleasant

IrianOfW · 09/10/2018 11:27

Ridiculous! If he's a driver he doesn't need to be asked questions abut work. I should answer the phone for him and tell them what is wrong. No way do they want a vomiting person with a runny bottom driving vehicles for them!

themuttsnutts · 09/10/2018 11:28

Yes, I would answer it (though not to tell them to piss off even though I'd be thinking that) and explain that he is too unwell to take any calls today and advise he'll call in the morning.

Returnofthesmileybar · 09/10/2018 11:30

Just pick it up and say "He is I'll in bed, you'd normally not answer his phone but just in case they were waiting to get through you thought you better answer to let them know he doesn't have his phone as he is ill in bed and you'll pass on a message later. But also as it's d&v he won't be in tomorrow either and you'll ask him to call them tomorrow"

Original poster
MacNcheese87 · 09/10/2018 11:34

Thank you. I think if they call again I will answer and just tell them that he is asleep in bed because he's not well.

It's just infuriating that they don't want to believe him, even though he hasn't really had any sick days off at all. I get that it messes them up a bit at work but he really wouldn't be much use to them in this state.

Will check him soon. I'm a bit worried about him, although it's just a D&V bug we've all had, it seems to be going right through him.

Thank you for the level headed advice.

OP posts:
ittakes2 · 09/10/2018 11:56

Honestly, unless your husband works in a tiny office with two people...I doubt very much his work sent an email around or called any clients/suppliers to make sure they didn't call him! Its quite easy to be sick or on holiday and other people ring you because they didn't know. Answer the phone or if you can put it on divert to voicemail.

Bubbaduck · 09/10/2018 11:56

My DH's work are the same, it's a nightmare. He has to be able to make announcements and speak to customers so therefore one day when he woke up and literally had no voice, I had to phone in sick for him. His work were hugely unhappy with that and wanted to speak to him, and of course he couldn't tell them anything as he wasn't even managing a croak.

Hopefully your DH is feeling better soon and the calls stop so he can get plenty of rest.

Oysterbabe · 09/10/2018 12:01

In our place if you didn't speak to a manager when you called in sick then a manager would call you back. It's company policy that you need to speak to a manager when ill. Maybe his is the same? It is shit though.

DarlingNikita · 09/10/2018 12:08

Answer it and say politely but firmly that he's not taking work calls as he's off sick; he's in bed with a bucket beside him because he has violent D&V.
Remind them that people can self-certify for up to seven days and he hopes very much to be better before that time is up, but he or you will phone in again first thing tomorrow to update them.

MTBMummy · 09/10/2018 12:20

Does he by any chance work as a driver for a large super market?

DP worked for one for 18 months, and the number of times they called him to cancel his days holiday, asked him to work extra shifts which would have broken the law on number of hours driven.

I was so grateful when he left, they had no respect for their staff. It wasn't just a case of 1 or 2 crappy managers, but went way up the chain.

Hope your DP feels better soon

Stillme1 · 09/10/2018 12:21

I hope your DH will feel better very soon.
His work are being very short sighted about his illness. If he went in he would be spreading his germs around all the staff, including the managers. If he went out driving he could have D & V in the work vehicle. He could crash if he feels weak due to the D & V. If he is a delivery driver he could spread the germs round all the customers. I would not be impressed with that, especially as there is someone in my household who could get dangerously ill with what is a minor illness to others.
They should not be pressuring DH to work in that state. He needs to rest recuperate and then go back to work when better.
Answer the phone once, tell them DH is quite unwell,

MysteriesOfTheOrganism · 09/10/2018 12:28

Just switch the phone off

^this

Feellikeimthemaid · 09/10/2018 12:30

As above, if they ring again, answer politely and say DH is ill in bed with D&V and cannot come to the phone. Say you will update them again later but for now you'll be switching his phone off so that he can rest and get better.

Make sure DH drinks plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. If he can't keep fluids down either then seek advice from 101 or your GP. I hope he starts to recover soon.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 09/10/2018 12:31

If he wouldn’t reasonably be getting calls from people who wouldn’t know, next time they ring tell them he’s unwell and ask for the HR phone number. Don’t comment on why. Guarantee they’ll stop calling.

RedPanda2 · 09/10/2018 12:37

How irritating! They should leave him.alone but agree it could be clients that don't know he's off.
He csn self certificate for 7 days (not 2 as someone said above) and shouldn't go back until 48 hours after last bout of D or V

OliviaStabler · 09/10/2018 12:37

Maybe whoever he spoke to didn't pass on the message he is sick?

NoNoCharlieRascal · 09/10/2018 12:38

Next time just say your dh has gastroenteritis and they will be informed of any updates as and when needed. Until then the phone will not be answered while he recovers.

Some work places are complete arses Angry

bubbles092 · 09/10/2018 12:39

Turn off his phone or put it on silent.

TomHardysNextWife · 09/10/2018 12:41

Politely answer and say he is far too unwell to be answering his phone, he has a highly contagious virus that you've all had, that he won't be in tomorrow either but he will contact them later in the day tomorrow to let them know about the day after. And that you are going to turn his phone off.

I find drinking cooled boiled water with a bit of salt and sugar in a good way to stay hydrated but only tiny sips until a good few hours after the last vomiting.

Last time DH got D & V he got really badly dehydrated as he kept trying to gulp too much water down.... ended up coming out the bathroom, fainting and knocked himself out on the end of the bed Hmm. That wasn't a fun day!!

Lovemusic33 · 09/10/2018 12:47

I would answer it and say “sorry dh can’t come to the phone as he’s throwing up and is really unwell” tell them he will be back when he is well enough to work. I think a lot of company’s run a tight ship and being down a driver probably sets them back but they should have cover in place when someone’s ill.

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