To not know whether to go to work today

[Dishwashersaurous]

Wfh office based job.

All weekend went down with the vomiting bug doing the rounds.

Yesterday couldn't get out of bed, shivering, sweating etc.

Today managed to get up , shower and dressed.

Still feel ill but not incapacitated like Yesterday.

If it were going into the office then I definitely couldn't manage it but wfh.

Don't know what to do

Have you been able to eat anything? I generally wouldn’t work unless you’ve had something to eat and kept it down.

I would probably e-mail the boss and explain you’ve been ill, and that you’ll try and work from home this morning but that if you get dizzy or unwell you’ll have to take the rest of the day off. However, I don’t know if with your job it would be easier for the company if you just didn’t work, rather than having uncertainty.

I'd work but let my manager know I was feeling ropey so I might need a rest later. I'm very lucky that I'm able to do that. Would your manager accept that?

I'd rest all day, then hopefully you'll be better tomorrow
I'd worry I'd make a mistake by being fuzzy headed and that would make me feel worse

I wouldn’t. Here’s why: even if you’ve stopped the shivering and serious unwell bit, that means you’ve just barely hit recovery. You are probably seriously dehydrated and not at full mental capacity. It would be a bit like trying to work whilst drunk. If you have tasks at work today that are repetitive and don’t require headspace, maybe. But I think it best to take the extra day and avoid: making a mistake because you’re exhausted and still barely well, missing a deadline while you’re technically “at work” but not working to speed (versus if you’re off sick and can’t be expected to meet any deadlines today), etc.

Thanks all. I managed to eat something last night and this morning.

You have all articulated the dilemma, whether to have a day and rest completely or whether to try and do something

Rest. You’re allowed time off work to recover from illness. Let yourself really get better and then return to work when you’re well.

In case anyone is interested. So yesterday I logged on for an hour. Then sat there trying to work, sweating uncontrollable before falling off my chair with the effort of staying upright. So went straight back to bed.

And now having the same dilemma all over again today

Surely there is no dilemma after yesterday? Surely it’s a no brainer?

How is this a dilemma? You are ill. It’s that simple.

Why do you need permission to call in sick? Unless you're being dramatic, if you are literally falling off your chair from the exhaustion of being ill then clearly you aren't well enough. Bit odd that a grown adult doesn't know this and use a bit of common sense. Stop being a martyr.

@Dishwashersaurous

In case anyone is interested. So yesterday I logged on for an hour. Then sat there trying to work, sweating uncontrollable before falling off my chair with the effort of staying upright. So went straight back to bed.

And now having the same dilemma all over again today

So why are you even asking about whether you should be working today? You're not well. The world won't stop turning if you have a day off - and you won't be any better thought of in the long term if you work, either.

WFH when ill is for when you have a bit of a cold but otherwise feel fine. It's more to protect your colleagues from your sniffles and coughs.

If you feel ill and not up for working then take the time you need to recover properly.

I would get yourself a PCR test.

What if you pass it on to others?

If you're going to not be able to do any work of value or sit at your computer without really struggling then call in sick. Just because you're wfh it doesn't mean you shouldn't rest if needed and take time to recover.

Personally my choice comes down to the following:

If I work will the % of my normal ability that I can manage be acceptable?

Generally I'd WFH for most illnesses, but if I genuinely can't do any of my job to what I'd consider an acceptable standard then it's right for me not to try. I've learnt in the past that while you get credit at the time for working when sick, if you make a mistake which is found out later it can come back to haunt you.

Thanks all.

I think its that wfh has warped my brain. Obviously I wouldn't have been able to go on a train etc but because I can sit at a desk in my pj's feel like I should work.

And we are all still permanently working from home. Boundaries are so blurred

I always use the measure would I be able to go to work in the office and if the answer is "no" then you are too sick to work.

I hope you are feeling much better, it's a horrid bug that's going around.