Wfh today but not actually working

[AlexaShutUp]

I'm supposed to be working from home today, but I was up most of the night with a nasty gallbladder attack (currently awaiting surgery). I am much better than I was last night but still feeling pretty rough.

I tried to do some work this morning but couldn't really focus so I'm now lying on my bed hoping that I'll feel better soon. There is nothing that needs to be done today and I will make up the hours over the weekend. I'll also try again this afternoon if I feel up to it.

DH thinks I should have phoned in sick, but I don't feel that I need to because I will definitely do the hours tomorrow or Sunday. I will keep an eye out for any urgent emails and answer the phone if anyone rings.

So AIBU to rest today without calling in sick as long as the work actually gets done by Monday?

Assuming your impending surgery is known to your employer, this seems almost like a reasonable adjustment. I think you should just be keeping the phone near, as if something is really urgent then the person deeming it so should call (there is this thing called talking which some people at workplaces don't seem to be able to do any more, hope your colleagues are not like that).

If I was your manager, I'd be very happy with this. But I'd want to know!

@newnortherner111

Assuming your impending surgery is known to your employer, this seems almost like a reasonable adjustment. I think you should just be keeping the phone near, as if something is really urgent then the person deeming it so should call (there is this thing called talking which some people at workplaces don't seem to be able to do any more, hope your colleagues are not like that).

Haha, no, I told them yesterday to call if there was anything urgent because I hadn't wanted to be distracted by having to check emails all afternoon anyway.

The chair of the board to which I report does know of my impending operation, though the staff don't.

Well if I was your manager, I would be telling you that you shouldn't need to make up hours over the weekend because you are sick. I would be asking if there was anything urgent for Monday that you could hand over to me or another team member.

If I found out later that one of my team had worked whilst sick and made up the hours, I would thank them for their conscientiousness, but stress the fact that there is no need to do it, and not to make a habit of it.

Thanks @FishintheStream. As a manager, I would do exactly the same. The trouble is, the work doesn't just go away...

I was just thinking what business of DH's is it anyway. If my DH interfered in my job I would be a bit fed up, unless I had actually asked him for an opinion.

I genuinely wouldn't mind if one of my team did this. We do operate a flexitime policy in any case, so I see it as just an extension of that. As long as my team get the work done, I don't really mind when/where they do it. And I guess that's why I don't see it as an issue.

How do you know none of them are breaching WTD rules if they can pick and choose how they work?

In my work this would be absolutely fine, we work on deadlines rather than set hours so as long as the job is done there is no need to account for every hour of the day. Fortunately though if I was ill and unlikely to pick up the slack in a day or two (e.g. had flu) I can ring in and my work is reassigned.

@NavigatingAdolescence

I genuinely wouldn't mind if one of my team did this. We do operate a flexitime policy in any case, so I see it as just an extension of that. As long as my team get the work done, I don't really mind when/where they do it. And I guess that's why I don't see it as an issue.

How do you know none of them are breaching WTD rules if they can pick and choose how they work?

Because I talk to them regularly and monitor workloads.

I am relatively new in post and there is a whole lot of development work that needs to be done with the team before they will be in a position to step up and share the load. Ironically, one of the things I was supposed to be working on today was a plan to start addressing this.

I get this!

I think overall it makes sense, as a one-off & in the circumstances you describe. Just mind yourself & hope the op will sort this out soon. 💐

My work doesn’t care when I work, just that I do the hours. I only bill to sick time if I’m unable to make up the time reasonably quickly. They would much rather I get the tasks done anyway.

I'd tell my manager and I'd expect my team to tell me (in which case I'll say sod any Monday deadline, health is more important).

Not because I think anyone is abusing their position, but at least someone can step in if needed. Also if there are medical complications and more days off than thought to juggle cover etc.