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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to go into work?

26 replies

AlexaShutUp · 01/07/2019 08:13

Yesterday, I had an upset stomach with around 3 incidents of diarrhoea. I'm not sure if this was a bug, the result of something I've eaten or possibly a symptom of undiagnosed irritable bowel syndrome. It could also be linked to my period, which hasn't started yet but is due soon - I do sometimes get an upset stomach during my period, but not generally before. The last incident was at around 10pm last night. Felt fine all day otherwise, other than a bit of stomach ache.

Nothing all night, and I feel fine. No further diarrhoea but if I'm honest, my stomach does still feel slightly churned up. Yesterday's diarrhoea was unusual for me.

It's one of the busiest days of the year in work and I'm the manager. My team will really struggle if I don't go in, especially as we have other people off sick/on maternity leave. My absence would put significant pressure on other people, at the beginning of an already stressful week. I can usually do a lot of my work remotely, but this week, they really need me to be physically present.

However, if it's a bug, I don't want to pass anything around. It isn't fair on others, and from a purely practical point of view, we really can't afford to have people off sick this week. I'm aware of the 48 hour rule but does that apply to all cases of diarrhoea or only sickness and vomiting? My symptoms yesterday didn't really last long enough to be a bug, I don't think, but I'm not sure.

I feel like I'll be really dropping my team in it if I don't show up, but don't want to pass my germs around. WIBU to go in?

OP posts:
TheHandsOfNeilBuchanan · 01/07/2019 08:16

If you feel ok go in, take antibac gel and be super careful with your hygiene, unless you work with vulnerable adults or children

WantLifeToBeBetter · 01/07/2019 08:16

You would be unreasonable to go in. If you stay at home today that's one person with one day off - if you go in and spread it around it could be lots of people with more days off. Stay at home at watch day time TV (or work from home if possible).

Wide0penSpace · 01/07/2019 08:16

I’m my workplace it’s 24 hrs for diarrhoea or vomiting and 48 hrs for both. I work in mental health.

Can you work from home at all? Just thinking you’ll be in a worse position if your colleagues catch it and are subsequently off work.

Original poster
AlexaShutUp · 01/07/2019 08:20

There's plenty that I can get on with at home, but the stuff that I can do at home won't help my team with the pressure that they'll be under today.

I just feel so guilty either way!

OP posts:
Brefugee · 01/07/2019 08:22

I'd go in - I'm guessing half-year closing/reporting?
It sucks - but it needs to be done and it's just one of those things.

Good luck!

Original poster
AlexaShutUp · 01/07/2019 08:24

Should add, my manager is too senior and too far removed to get involved in any of the operational stuff that we're dealing with this week, so the impact of my absence will be felt entirely by those who are junior to me.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlexaShutUp · 01/07/2019 08:26

I'm guessing half-year closing/reporting?

No, it's a big event involving hundreds of people. It's a challenge to manage at the best of times.

I feel ok and I want to go in and support my team. Just don't want to be the twat who makes other people ill.

OP posts:
EleanorReally · 01/07/2019 08:28

perhaps it is related to the heat?
not infectious?

EleanorReally · 01/07/2019 08:29

just be scrupulous with your hand hygiene op

Fluffymullet · 01/07/2019 08:30

Yabu. If hundreds of people at the event contract diarrhoea caught from you it will not be looked at favourably. Bad timing and I understand your dilemma, but the rule is there for a reason!

Dillow · 01/07/2019 08:30

I'd go in and use copious amounts of hand gel etc and not get too close to anyone if possible.

BayandBlonde · 01/07/2019 08:32

If your team are relying on you, you're their manager and leader, you need to go in.

Loads of hand gel as others have said.

Passthecherrycoke · 01/07/2019 08:33

I’d go in

Original poster
AlexaShutUp · 01/07/2019 08:33

If I go in, I will of course be scrupulous about hand hygiene.

I won't have much contact with the hundreds of people attending. My role would be more about coordinating/trouble shooting. But of course, there is always a risk of passing something on. And if I passed it to my team, there would be a risk of it spreading further.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 01/07/2019 08:33

that sucks big time, Alexa, but I think if you take precautions you should be ok.

But if you usually have contact with the public, I'd delegate that to someone else (point out that if you can't delegate it you'd be better of not being there at all)

Good luck!

Redcliff · 01/07/2019 08:34

It would never occur to me not to go in to work in these circumstances. I like others idea re hand sanitizer.

ControversialFerret · 01/07/2019 08:42

Thorough handwashing and a tub of sanitiser on your desk.

The 24 (or 48) hour rule only seems to apply to workplaces where there are vulnerable people - kids, immunosuppressed and the elderly. I've worked in offices all my life and most workplaces would expect you to come in if you feel fit for work.

newmomof1 · 01/07/2019 08:43

No, don't go in.
Many of these people will have children, could care for elderly or vulnerable relatives, etc.
If it's a virus, it's not fair to risk passing it on.

Original poster
AlexaShutUp · 01/07/2019 08:43

Thanks all. Views on both sides, but the overall consensus seems to be that it'll be ok to go in, as long as I'm super careful about washing hands etc. Will definitely take hand sanitizer as well.

OP posts:
dinnerpartyhell · 01/07/2019 08:49

I would go in.

Passthecherrycoke · 01/07/2019 08:50

“The 24 (or 48) hour rule only seems to apply to workplaces where there are vulnerable people - kids, immunosuppressed and the elderly. I've worked in offices all my life and most workplaces would expect you to come in if you feel fit for work.”

Exactly this. I’ve never worked in an office job where it would be ok to tell my employer I’m fine but obeying the 48
Hour rule 🤣 they’d think I was In primary school or something. Most companies are pretty lean and being without a staff member is inconvenient, you generally need to be back asap

GoldenBlue · 01/07/2019 08:53

I would be really cross if a member of my team did this. It sounds helpful but D&v spreads so quickly that you would unreasonably our others at risk

daphine2004 · 01/07/2019 09:03

Book a private meeting room so you’re on site, but contained. Agree with other posters re antibacterial gel and overall hygiene. You could go in for a few hours and then head home, having limited your contact with only those necessary.

DerelictWreck · 01/07/2019 09:08

It wouldn't occur to me not to go in. 24/48 hour rules are for places with children/old people/sick people etc.

If I took a day off every time I had a bit of a funny tummy I'd be off a few times a month! Different for different people.

skybluee · 01/07/2019 09:12

Same as what cherrycoke says. If I did this at my previous office job they'd have thought I was taking the piss and trying to get extra time off (if I told them I was fine, but I was obeying the 24 hour/48 hour rule). As far as they were concerned, if you felt well, you come in to work.

I think I would've gotten into trouble/a talking to if they'd have found out I was feeling well and not in work tbh.

I'd also take something like Dettol wipes and clean all of the surfaces. Don't share any food or drink. Stay away from people as much as possible. Use the furthest away toilet.

There are some Wet Wipes in a red packet that are outstanding at killing germs. These:

images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51CDzOnlU4L.jpg

They are amazing.