To call in sick on first day of job.

[Wigwambam10]

Due to start a night on Monday as a carer caring for a girl with multiple disabilities.
Tomorrow night was meant to be a shadow shift.
I just got out of hospital 4 days ago after a kidney infection but I though I would be able to cope. In the last 24 hours I have come down with this horrible bug along with chesty cough that is going round. My husband has been flat out with it for 4 days and my little boy has it as well.

Now with it being the first day I would normally drag myself in and get on with it but the girl I am caring for is immune compromised.

I have sent an email to my employer outlining what has been happening and saying I am quite willing to drag myself in but I am aware if the risk to the young girl. If anything goes on her chest it makes her really ill and she may need to be hospitalised.

I have thrown the ball to them but the first day of a bloody job. I feel so guilty and so awful and worried I will come across badly. Had this happened to anyone else and they have come back from it ok

Just to say you’ve done the right thing, rather than going in unwell.

I work in a similar role, very few of our parents would welcome you into their homes if you have any kind of infection (especially D&V or respiratory), the infections that make us unwell can be life threatening to children with complex medical needs. You have absolutely done the right thing.

If it were my child who you were caring for and you turned up at work as ill as that then I'd be sending you away with a flea in your ear for putting them at risk. You are right to say away.

You've done the right thing. Hope you feel better soon.

Definitely done the right thing x

Not quite the same but I slipped a disc in my neck in my first week of a new job. It was awkward but ultimately not a massive issue despite me being unable to leave the house for 3 weeks.

Definitely sounds like you’ve done the right thing. Obviously not ideal but you can’t help being ill and with your job it sounds particularly important to be careful.
A friend of mine got a new job - in an office so totally different environment to yours. He woke up really ill on his first day but because he had it in his head he couldn’t possibly call in, he went in. He ended up throwing up down his shirt and over the floor in the office, getting sent home, and getting some stern words from his new boss about not bringing vomiting bugs into the office. No one thanked him for trying to power through, he just ended up annoying several new colleagues by vomiting profusely next to their desks (not envy)

Id also give them a ring and have a chat

You are right not to go in but also do try to speak to someone via phone as it looks more professional. Wish you better.

I think the parents would barricade the doors, pull up the drawbridge, and start pouring boiling oil from the battlements if you tried to go near their DD.