To not go into work today?

[usernameee]

Have woken up with a horrible horrible sore throat. The past two days I've been up and down width feeling hot and cold and off my good. I've had loose stalls and have felt so sick. I believe it's all related and I think it may be oncoming tonsillitis..again!

Today's my first day of a new job and I'm currently sat with a very upset stomach and stinging throat so I'm wondering whether I should be going in today?

Don’t go in if you’re not feeling well. It sucks that’s it’s your first day but it won’t matter or make a difference in the long run. I wish someone had told me that in my first month of my new job when I dragged myself in and was pretty useless- the managers were horrified I’d come in so sick and in hindsight it really would’ve been better had I rested at home.

Hope you feel better!

If you have loose stools I wouldn't go in. The sore tummy and throat is manageable. What area of work do you work in?

Have you taken any immodium? And now loose are we talking? I'm wondering if they are just a result of nerves?
If you're too ill you're too ill but I can't lie if I worked with you I'd be thinking this was a sign of things to come with you being unreliable

Thank you @PocaNinja !

@Hellosunshine30 I work in retail and specifically food do not ideal!

@Hahaha88 I've had loose stalls the past couple days and I haven taken Imodium. Been hot and cold with it so I don't think it's nerves. That's why I'm cautious to take the day off because I don't want anyone thinking I'm unreliable when I genuinely feel rubbish

If you are working in food, you can't go to work if you've e got diarrhoea.

If it's your first day will you be out on the floor? I couldn't call in sick on my first day. I'd be inclined to go and tell them when you get there and hopefully they will send you home

I would drag myself in on the first day I think. Unless actually unable to move.

In your position i would prob phone in and explain whats happening and let them tell you not to go in...

Morning, its meant to be my first day with you today but i have had diarrhoea last few days: doesn't seem to be easing off and worried with nature of the job that I shouldn't come in?

Them: a) yes i agree

       B) we would prefer you came in and contaminate all our customers so we are not left short staffed.

If the answer is B please come back and tell us where this place is so we can all avoid going there as they clearly don't care about health and safety/ hygiene to their customers x

Okay thank you everyone! From the responses I think I'll drag myself in and tell them honestly how I'm feeling..although I'm not sure how to tell them I have diarrhoea!!!

You tell them "i have diarrhoea " you will have to i am afraid. A reputable place which involves food should have a policy that you are 48hrs clear of sickness and Diarrhoea before working there! If u don't declare it and you infect people there will be more trouble than if u phone in sick for your first day x

Instead of using the term ‘diarrhoea’ say ‘upset tummy’ or ‘frequent bowel movements’.

Upset tummy? Frequent bowel movements? Why? She has diarrhoea so thats what she needs to say she has. Upset tummys and frequent bowel movements are not a reason to phone in sick! Diarrhoea is!! It will be referred to as this in the policy.. the other 2 wont be 💁🏽‍♀️

I’m sure they’d pick up that’s diarrhoea saying ‘frequent bowel movements’ I thought op said she was going in anyway!

I'm really in a complex because I don't want to mislead them at work and have them think I'm unreliable but my stomach is really cramping up and I can tell it's not over

I would ring them and put the ball in their court.

I don’t think you should go in, you don’t sound well. Phone in as soon as someone will be there and explain that you’ve had a very upset stomach and sore throat and you don’t want to pass it on. Hopefully they will understand.

Yeah I’d ring them. Say you can’t believe the poor timing and you’re so annoyed it’s happening before your first day. And that you’re really looking forward to starting, would they prefer you to come in even if you have to leave mid shift if things stay the same/get worse, or would they rather you stay home?

Normally I’m a big advocate of just ringing work like an adult and self certifying when sick with no shame or guilt but your first day at a new job is a bit different.

Ring them.

Any chef or waitress that came into work handling food with any sickness would be an issue. It shows a lack of judgement in my opinion to go in anyway when you must be food hygiene trained ?

So I decided I am going to go in and tell them how I feel to their face and give them the option of what the would prefer me to do. At least that way I can show that I'm not just trying to fleece them to get the day off. It's too late to call in sick now I think so I'll have to go otherwise I'll be in even more trouble.

Thank you for all of your responses

Hope you feel better soon!

If they say u have to stay can u let us know where u are so we can avoid 🤮

Ps really hope you feel better soon. Such awful timing and i know i would feel anxious about calling in sick on my first day somewhere. X

Sounds like a plan.
According to Mumsnet if you have 1/2 a day off in 20 years you're a malingerer, but I'm glad you got helpful responses here!

I’d also ask if there’s any work or training you can be getting on with away from food, to show willing.

To people disgusted anyone with D&V would go to work in a food place, it’s common. I’ve worked in a few chain well known takeaways where staff have gone in frequently with D&V, been shitting themselves in the toilets in the back and then back out front making pizza. You can’t pay minimum wage on a zero hour contract to someone and then expect them to risk their own very minor financial stability by not coming into work when they don’t get sick pay and will likely have their hours docked the next rota if they call in sick. I’ve lived it. If businesses paid people who work in food service properly and provided sick pay and didn’t punish them or treat them like children for calling in sick then staff could act like adults and not come in when it’s dangerous to do so.

I'd phone rather than go in!!! Say something like 'I am SO sorry for the timing but....' I would say it's diarrhoea and all about the sore throat. Say the ball is in their court and you'll come in if they like but you don't want to risk infecting every one without asking first.

I'd be irritated if a sick colleague came in and pissed off if they got me sick too. The fact it's your first day doesn't really change this, it is just one of those things xx

I'll let you know how I get on! Thank you to everyone wishing me well xx