To feel pissed off with work colleague

[twocats335]

I work in healthcare one day a week on a self employed basis. The staff who I work with are employed by the company but we rarely see the boss as we are based at a remote site so it's usually just two or three of us.
I've had a cold which as usual, has left me with a tickly cough but feel fine now and carried out my work as normal this morning wearing a mask all the time. I was doing great with only the occasional slight cough.
Next thing I knew, one of the assistants who wasn't working directly with me stated that I should go home because she didn't want to catch anything. The other assistant meekly contributed with her agreement. Despite my protest, she cancelled the afternoon session, phoned the boss to tell him (I've no idea what she said) and made me go home. I've lost half a day's much needed pay plus the cost in terms of travel. They, on the other hand, have had another nice early finish
I'm prepared to be told IBU but right now I'm pretty pissed off about it. It's not the first time I've noticed her take advantage of her position. The boss is pretty weak and has no idea what's going on half the time.

@Howhot I think that's probably more like a cough that's not getting better as opposed to almost gone but a slight tickle remaining (unless tickle doesn't go of course!)

I've had whooping cough for over 2 months, I sound awful and vomit sometimes, but I'm no longer infectious (I'm a scientist and I work with doctors and they're not worried!)

Sorry but you shouldn';t be in work coughing on people.

What? I pretty much have a tickly cough all winter. The economy would grind to a halt if everyone stayed home with a cold.

I agree that as they cancelled the session you should be paid. You need to write to your boss and set out the circumstances, that a decision was made to cancel the session, you were there, ready and able to work and be clear re payment. What does your contract say re cancelled sessions. You need to do this before next week. Its important you stand up for yourself here or you may find this becomes a regular occurrence.

Well we know who the people are that cough on people...

That’s ridiculous everyone knows the cough is the last to go when you’ve had a cold.
Blimey my last cough after a cold went on for 3 months before it finally went, as long as your not coughing over people and as you say you wear a mask I don’t see a problem.

I'm self-employed in a consultancy type role and I would invoice for this.

My goodness how annoying!! NO you ANBU and I would be in touch with the weak boss to explain what happened in a calm but firm way and in future be more forceful with the work shy woman who did this.

@flumbybear yes I do agree which is why I didn't make an appointment for myself despite people at work telling me too was just thinking it might get them off OPs back but seems a waste of the doctors time...

Spoke to the boss. Apparently, I was 'ill and needed to go home'. No mention to him that 'she didn't want to catch it' as most likely he would've said man up. He's offering me an extra day to make up for it and he's going to speak to her.
Now - cue the hostility next week! I'm glad I've told him the truth though.

Don’t accept the extra day to make it up. You were available as arranged so they need to pay for the session they cancelled. Make that very clear.

Of course you can't take time off with the tail end of a cough,.sometimes they go on for weeks.

Separately, I thought they'd tightened up on "self employed" regular staff and if you do the same shift regularly with little autonomy, you can't be considered self employed?

Gemme it's not right but I doubt I'd get that. I suppose at least I'll gain an extra session. Hopefully now, this issue won't be repeated.
bestseller I'll have to ask my accountant about that.

Any suggestions for dealing with moody colleagues greatly appreciated.

Ah, moody colleagues are tricky to deal with. Just be your consummate professional self. And challenge politely. Moodycolleagues will do what they do anyway as they don't like not getting their own way!

I think next time your coworker tries a stunt like that, now you've laid excellent groundwork you can say " I disagree and I am perfectly fit for work, so I am staying. If you choose to cancel this session and go home, I will be ringing (your boss) and advising I expect to be paid for this session you left early & are leaving me in an untenable position "

(Then in your head add "And how do you like them apples bud?!! so that your face says it all...)

Who on earth goes home because someone else has a cold or a cough? What absolute nonsense. Glad you stood your ground.

They did go home and didn't let OP speak to (their) big boss, so she was unable to that time. Next time she can say I am not leaving I am here to work , please get big boss on phone for me to them, as boss is prewarned.

I'm self employed health care, when I have a cold I simply wear a mask all day. What's the problem?

Let me guess, hygienist? YANBU.