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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Calling in sick on first day of new job

209 replies

Thepinkstuffing · 07/09/2021 22:50

I have my first day tomorrow, it’s in a school, working in the early years classroom as a general TA.
I started having signs of a UTI a few days ago, and today I rang the GP and managed to get a course of antibiotics.
I feel really crap though, I’ve only started them today, I’ve still got tummy pains, pelvic discomfort and the constant need to wee, although just a few drops come out.
If I’m still feeling this bad tomorrow, I may need to call in. I can’t keep running off to the toilet either, as I’ll be with the little ones.

I’m worried I’ll get fired on my first week the way things are going!
It’s so typical of me Sad

OP posts:
AveryGoodlay · 08/09/2021 00:00

I'd go in. I had a job when I was a student so not a career type job. However my first day I woke up and could hardly speak. I later learned I had bacterial tonsilitus. But I still went to work. I'll never forget the stupid woman who commented on the way I was talking (it had altered my voice) and that I didn't seem well. I replied that I didn't feel 100% but that whilst I was at work I'd give 100% at all times. She replied "well being ill on your first day doesn't give a good impression does it?" Like wtf was I supposed to do?!

EnsignKim · 08/09/2021 00:04

Crikey I don’t know where the POs in this thread work, but in my school they would totally understand you are ill and starting a couple of days late would be no big deal!

I think people understand that you must be feeling really dreadful to miss your first day, and they will sympathise.
They liked you enough to offer you a job, they’re not going to sack you for being ill!

Actually going in and being off your game and constantly in the loo would be more likely to give a bad impression.

These things can’t be helped: take the day off if you need to and any decent school will understand.

Overthecamelhump · 08/09/2021 00:05

POs?

EnsignKim · 08/09/2021 00:05

Acronym fail- PPs, not POs!

Overthecamelhump · 08/09/2021 00:06

Ah OK.

Being honest it’s about first impressions though. Doesn’t create a good one. It’s unfair but it is how it is.

Hardybloodyhar · 08/09/2021 00:08

Antibiotics are a miracle. After 12 hours you'll be so much better.

Geamhradh · 08/09/2021 00:10

It's unfair, you're genuinely sick and you probably shouldn't go.
But let's face it. It won't be forgotten.
That's just the way it is unfortunately.
It's happened to me once, as head of department. New teacher rang in sick. Day 1.
Day 2, she was there. And she was good. But it leaves a doubt.

Also agree with pp that the meds hopefully will have eased it a bit by morning.

LookAtMoiPloise · 08/09/2021 00:12

I would force myself unless I was on death's door tbh. Like others has said, it just gives a bad impression.

EnsignKim · 08/09/2021 00:15

She already made her good first impression at the interview though, and showing up pale, subdued and generally ill isn't going to give a great impression either.
Schools move at a frantic pace, give it a month (a week, really) and nobody’ll remember what day she started.

CornishTiger · 08/09/2021 00:17

@Mummy7777

Sorry but I had a uti once whilst pregnant- a uti is discomforting but that's about it. I would definitely go in on my first day.
@Mummy7777 you’ve clearly never had a bad uti then.
VividImaginationAgain · 08/09/2021 00:18

I phoned in sick on my first day in a new job (and my second). I had the flu. I managed to get up and have a bath but had to call my husband to help me down the stairs as I was too wobbly. At this point I realised there was no way I could make it.

I worked there for 10 years so it wasn’t a problem although nobody let me forget it. Hopefully you will feel better in the morning.

Newbabynewhouse · 08/09/2021 00:20

I agree that it looks bad to call in sick on your 1st day unless you were very unwell! But I will also say that I think these probation periods of 3 months are unfair if the employer is going to fail the employer for a sick day if it is genuine... you can't help being genuinely too ill to go into work .. doesn't seem right somehow...

Overthecamelhump · 08/09/2021 00:24

it wasn’t a problem although nobody let me forget

you can kind of see the contradiction there.

I am not saying it is right or fair but the fact that no one let you forget it does rather indicate it was very much a problem.

Snoopsnoggysnog · 08/09/2021 00:24

Gosh - I’ve only ever had one UTi and it was hell! I’ve no idea how long the antibiotics take to work but I wouldn’t be able to go in feeling like I did at that point. I’d call in sick. I don’t work in a school though and I rarely call in sick otherwise.

Millicentsparty · 08/09/2021 00:25

You won't get fired for it, but it's not a great look not showing up on your first day. In my experience those antibiotics kick in blinking quickly. If they don't, they're the wrong type.

Snoopsnoggysnog · 08/09/2021 00:27

Also I’d actually think the person was daft to drag themselves in and then tell people they’re not well with a UTI. How can you safely look after kids if you’re unwell? This makes no sense to me.

Millicentsparty · 08/09/2021 00:27

I've had cystitis and it was uncomfortable rather painful. But I know peoole who've had it, and they're not soft, and they found it excruciating.

Snoopsnoggysnog · 08/09/2021 00:28

Also what if the OP had COVID symptoms? That would be a valid reason for missing your first day…

Millicentsparty · 08/09/2021 00:29

@Snoopsnoggysnog

Also I’d actually think the person was daft to drag themselves in and then tell people they’re not well with a UTI. How can you safely look after kids if you’re unwell? This makes no sense to me.
Yeah, but it's not about the children, is it? It's about the perceived commitment to work.
pucelleauxblanchesmains · 08/09/2021 00:35

"Yeah, but it's not about the children, is it? It's about the perceived commitment to work."
See, I understand the need to give a first impression and have powered through days on painkillers before, but also I think turning up to show willing under any circumstances, whether you feel safe to or not, is part of the culture of presenteeism that hasn't helped our COVID response tbh. This sounds like maybe a case of hope the antibiotics kick in and keep medicated all day but in general I don't understand the reluctance to accept that sometimes people are too sick to work and not taking the piss.

gnushoes · 08/09/2021 00:42

I used to get agonising, recurring UTIs. Had to go into work because they were so frequent I wouldn't have had a job otherwise. ABs should help, take painkillers, drink plenty including either the sachets or some bicarb to make your wee sting less. I would also explain you're unwell but didn't want to miss your first day. Young woman at my current workplace went sick on the second day then with some frequency - it really wasn't a good look.

MrsMaizel · 08/09/2021 00:43

@Mummy7777

Sorry but I had a uti once whilst pregnant- a uti is discomforting but that's about it. I would definitely go in on my first day.
No thats not "about it" - that is what it was for you !

@Thepinkstuffing big dose of the antibiotics , painkillers and drink lots of coffee or water if possible .

MyDcAreMarvel · 08/09/2021 00:48

Terrible impression of what being susceptible to UTI’s. If you are too sick to work you are too sick to work. Health isn’t a choice.

louderthan · 08/09/2021 00:52

This blows my mind. You can't control when you get ill.
What if OP had Covid symptoms or had tested positive? Would you all still be telling her to go in?

EccentricaGalumbits · 08/09/2021 01:01

As others have said there's a good chance you'll be feeling a lot better once the ABs kick. The anti acid sachets really help with the burning feeling and need to pee.

Period pants if you have them (or Tena if you don't) in case you need to safely let a few drops out and it's just not possible to get to the bathroom. I use those to sleep when things are at their worst.