To call in sick?

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I've always been of the opinion that you don't call in sick for a cold.
Struggled in yesterday, felt bloody awful. Boss told me I looked bloody awful. (Tbf I had an important meeting which is why I stayed).
Today I don't feel any better - hot/cold, feeling sick, skin hurts, very congested, can't lie down or I feel like I can't breathe. (Hence being up now).

Aibu to call in sick for a cold? I feel like if I get on my commuter train, I will either be sick or pass out, but the concept of calling in sick for a cold is a bit
If it helps, I don't work in a health care role or catering or anything like that.

There is a terrible 10 day cold going around this season, I got it in Dec and Feb, didn't stay off as my employer applies the Bradford thing so I cant be off again until July! I work in a healthcare setting and the manager prefers us to come in and share the germs....

I've had to call in sick today but due to minor injury rather than illness (I have quite a physical job) and I'm sure they think I'm pulling a fast one as I'm due to start maternity leave in a few weeks but it's genuine and I'm heavily pregnant. You've got to thinking yourself sometimes and I'm a huge believer in rest when you're unwell.

And as others have said, a cold can range from the sniffles to feeling absolutely dreadful and stuck on the settee or bed for 3 days straight. Feel better soon OP!

DH spent most of last month floored by some kind of virus. More than a cold. Not quite a flu.

As he was begining to recover, he phoned up to cancel on an important meeting halfway across the country and was thanked for keeping the lurgy to himself. I'm sure the train carriage of people would have been grateful too!

I learned my lesson early on in teaching. Had a heavy cold. Tried to plough on. Lost my voice halfway through the day and continued to teach by writing messages on the board and thumping it for attention. 3 days to get my voice back. I lowered my threshold for being off, and haven't needed so long off since.

If you're ill, go off and recover properly.

Hope you feel better today OP.

I went to work yesterday after developing sniffles overnight. Assumed it would be a manageable unable to avoid one. By lunchtime I felt so awful. I'm pregnant so can't take the range of cold and flu products and paracetamol not helping. Eeked it out until mid afternoon then went home and my goodness last night was one of the worse nights sleep ever hacking cough runny and bunged nose feeling like I'd throw up from coughing. Called in sick today I had to. Yesterday felt bad enough spreading germs as hadn't had a cough until I got to work. I'm part time too so aware I'm off on one of my work days but can't be helped. Feel so bad and would only be spreading it around.

Rest!

YANBU - I have done the same today absolutely streaming, sore throat and swollen glands and been awake since about 3am as my nose would not stop running. I have had it a few days and struggled in but really can't today.

I'm a teacher so there's no let up at work and my voice won't stand projecting over 30 children.

Get well soon OP!

I have the same thing. It’s not a cold op, but a virus. Stay at home and get better. I couldn’t contemplate going anywhere, just about shuffling to the loo and back. Eyes hurt. Everything hurts. Just sleep and get better soon 😷

That sounds like you’d be much better tucked up in bed.

I have to say that work and schools have gone a bit crazy with having time off. DC’s head teacher is quite clear you cannot have time off for ‘just’ a cold, so kids are sent in clearly unwell, and learn nothing as they feel so rotten. This then spreads germs around to the rest of the class and the teachers who have equally stupid sickness rules and have to struggle in regardless.

All to keep the attendance figures up for Ofsted!

This is how a gauge it.

If I worked self employed in my own company and I would not get paid sick leave would I go in?

Yes - well you go in today
No - call in sick and stay off work

Isn't cold just a catch all word for a variety of minor viruses, ranging from a sniffle, to things that can put you on your back for days? If you feel too ill to go to work, then you should probably stay at home. There are no prizes for going in and spreading it around.

My mother is immune compromised as currently going through chemo and has been on and off for the past two years. I can't tell you how much it winds me up when people come in to work really ill and spend the day coughing and sneezing next to me and struggle to hold their head up at the desk. If you are really unwell then there is no shame in taking a day off to recover. Hope you feel better

If the boss says you looks awful then it's a green light for a rest day imo.

@NotTheFordType oh ok. I've only heard of the Bradford factor on here. It's not something that applies in Ireland, at all. (There's just certified / uncertified sick leave, with relevant limits, nothing like the Bradford factor tho)