Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

AIBU to have the day off sick?

84 replies

Geofax · 20/11/2018 05:41

Need some man advice here as I feel very guilty.

I’m half way through my third week at a new job. I love the job and want to stay there long term - it’s a professional environment and my role has some management responsibilities; just for some background.

I’ve felt a bit under the weather for a few days; but nothing serious. However, I woke up at half one this morning with pretty bad sinus pain. I went to grab some painkillers but found we didn’t have any in; so I tried to just get back to sleep - but no matter what I tried I just couldn’t. It’s now the time that I would normally get up and get ready for work, but I’m in pain, unsteady on my feet and sleep deprived and I just don’t feel like I could safely handle morning rush hour traffic (my job is about an hour commute from home.) so I’ve called in sick.

I’m planning on running to the pharmacy later to grab some meds and then trying to catch up on sleep so I can return to work tomorrow all drugged up.

I feel horrifically guilty though - I’ve not been at this place three weeks yet and I’m calling in sick; I’m worried I’m putting across a bad impression and letting the team down. I’ve tried rationalising that if i wanted to be work-shy I’d have called in sick tomorrow rather than today as Tuesdays are some of my lightest days and Wednesdays my busiest. I’m going to have to do some work from home later anyway so that I don’t fall behind with things.

Did I do the right thing?

OP posts:

FruitCider · 20/11/2018 05:44

I'm a nurse and I wouldn't have rang in sick with sinus pain or sleep deprivation. But then I'd never be in a position when I didn't have essential medicines in my house either....

bluefolder · 20/11/2018 05:46

I'd probably have gone in via the pharmacy TBH, but like the poster above also work for the NHS so tend not to take time off sick. Hope you feel better soon.

Monty27 · 20/11/2018 05:48

Sounds like a weak excuse to me.
Your call

Alfie190 · 20/11/2018 05:50

No I would not have called in sick for those reasons in a new job. Was there someone in to speak to at 5:40am?

Original poster

Geofax · 20/11/2018 05:54

Well the consenus seems to be that I am being unreasonable... I’ve decided to call back and say I will be in work today

OP posts:

parrotonmyshoulder · 20/11/2018 05:57

‘Consensus’ of four unknown people? Are you usually this weak at decision making?

GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 20/11/2018 05:58

Your now going in because a few random ppl have told you yabu?
If you feel really sick then don't go in but if painkillers do help then either get some this morning, ask a colleague for some or go out at some stage in the morning to get some

Workreturner · 20/11/2018 06:04

I’m three weeks in to a new senior role

I have a big day of meeting ahead of me today in London. I’m sleep deprived, sore throat and generally I’ll feeling.

Not a chance I’m calling in sick.

Original poster

Geofax · 20/11/2018 06:05

We’ll I did feel like I was being a bit of a flake anyway - the quick succession of people agreeing with that just shored it up.

I’ve cancelled my social commitment tonight; so I can just get in from work and flop.

OP posts:

Workreturner · 20/11/2018 06:06

You called in and now you’re calling back?

Ok OP

I’m guessing you’re fairly young and inexperienced? In any event, if you enjoy the job and taking on managerial responsibility - you need to get with the programme, and fast! And that means a heck of a lot more professional than phoning in sick and then getting four anonymous responses to a thread and phoning back to go in to work.

bluefolder · 20/11/2018 06:08

Well if you were still planning on going out tonight then you aren't that ill.....

Original poster

Geofax · 20/11/2018 06:10

Oh just to clarify - I didn’t plan on going out tonight if I wasn’t at work! What I meant was I’d sent a text cancelling that right after I got in touch with work the first time.

OP posts:

Talith · 20/11/2018 06:12

Sinus pain is horrid. I'd have taken the day off! If you do go in hopefully being vertical and chucking some painkillers at it will help.

Notmorewashing · 20/11/2018 06:14

I haven’t slept either and am going in to work.

GaryBaldbiscuit · 20/11/2018 06:14

have the courage of your convictions op.
i hope you dont regret going in and obviously hope you can get your pain killers and feel better soon.

Darkestnight · 20/11/2018 06:14

I'm a carer to my disabled disabled dd I've been up all night with her and still going into my job later this evening as I'm in a new job to and don't want to not go in as I've had no sleep

OneStepSideways · 20/11/2018 06:16

I would just go into work late, so you miss rush hour, call and explain to your boss you don't feel up to driving yet but might feel better in a few hours.
I wouldn't mention the sleep deprivation! Any colleagues with kids under 3 are likely to be getting about 4-5 hours interrupted sleep each night, you just adapt.

Can you take some Lemsip and see if it eases off?

BlitheringIdiots · 20/11/2018 06:18

I was working at home til 11pm after having had working day disrupted with a poorly child. Had 3 hours sleep followed by 2 hours disrupted sleep due to child and now I'm ready to go to work. Small business owner - can't stay home. I think you've made the right call going in - you can always go home if feel terrible.

Thishatisnotmine · 20/11/2018 06:19

I think the posters above are being really unfair. Do you feel too ill to be in work? Yes? Then you take sick leave.

I know the NHS is extraordinarily stretched right now but if a nurse was in the same posistion with what is probably a cold virus, shouldn't they take the day of rather than being around vulnerable patients?

GaryBaldbiscuit · 20/11/2018 06:19

Please dont ask this sort of question, MN is famous for telling people Not to all an ambulance for starters. You need to make your own decision sometimes

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 20/11/2018 06:21

I think you’ve made the right call to go in.

Thishatisnotmine · 20/11/2018 06:21

But yes, never ever mention being tired as a reason to be off work. One bad night is not sleep deprived.

sittingonacornflake · 20/11/2018 06:24

I hope you feel better soon OP. I think you're doing the right thing going in as it's such a new job - make the right impression and all that. If the people you manage see you battling through sickness then they will hopefully be less likely to call in sick when you need them.

gamerwidow · 20/11/2018 06:28

If the pain is so severe you haven’t been able to sleep you shouldn’t be at work. Sometimes sinus pain is just a cold and you can soldier through. Sometimes it’s agonising and you can’t even move your head. Only you know which it is and if you can work with it.
You’ll get all the martyrs on mumsnet telling you that unless your heads fallen off you should go in but in reality most jobs won’t expect you to work when you’re really sick and I expect my staff to be sensible and know when to phone in.
Realistically how effective will you be today if you go in? Sometimes a day off to rest means yes you lose one day’s work but you are on form for the rest of the week vs. 3-4 days of sub par work because you’re exhausted and I’ll because you’ve tried to ignore your body.

PrincessJuanita · 20/11/2018 06:29

Wow op you've had a hard time here..... Mumsnet finest I see. Sinus pain is awful and I hope you feel better soon. I quite often find that if I push through then it does make me feel better in the long run but only you know how bad you feel. Please don't let strangers on the internet make decisions about your health for you, they don't know you and they don't know how ill you are. Have a good day.

Flip

1 2 3 4