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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WFH calling in sick anxiety.

28 replies

Betibop · 12/12/2021 14:20

Currently WFH and have the most stinking cold that's going on to my chest, started Thursday. DH is stropping about the house downstairs at the minute because I kept him awake all night coughing and barking (even though I've caught it from him he's 2 days ahead of me though) I know it's early but really do not think I'll be well enough to sit at my desk and take call after call (customer service/contact centre) but have mega anxiety calling in sick. He's telling me I'll be fine tomorrow and I should just work through it but I really don't think I'll be 100%
It just feels like because I WFH I am not entitled to be sick, I have been unwell on a cpl of occasions since I started WFH at beginning of pandemic and just dragged my ass and cracked on but today I feel like I need a good 2/3 days in bed to recuperate.
AIBU?

OP posts:
DrSbaitso · 12/12/2021 14:21

Of course you should ring in sick. What are you worried might happen?

WorraLiberty · 12/12/2021 14:24

If you have mega anxiety about calling in sick, and the rules are that you're not allowed to text/email, you should ask Occupational Health if they can make allowances.

One person at my work is allowed to have her partner phone for this very reason.

Otherwise just take a deep breath and phone in, you'll feel much better for it afterwards.

KittenCatcher · 12/12/2021 14:27

Just phone in sick, your colleagues wont appreciate catching a cold the week before Christmas, stay indoors and keep warm with plenty if hot drinks.

Uninterested · 12/12/2021 14:27

I would wait and see how you are feeling before calling in. Although you could give your line manager the heads up that you might be going to call in.

I don’t see why you are anticipating that you will need 2 or 3 more days in bed recuperating when you can’t know how you will feel yet.

If you are I’ll tomorrow then call in sick and don’t worry about it. Unless you’ve had loads of time of sick before.

ChangeChingyChange · 12/12/2021 15:23

@KittenCatcher

Just phone in sick, your colleagues wont appreciate catching a cold the week before Christmas, stay indoors and keep warm with plenty if hot drinks.
You did not read the thread Grin I work from home OP and have just been signed off for 3 weeks due to illness. It's still work wherever you do it from. Look after yourself.
Cocio · 12/12/2021 15:29

Call in sick but you also need to book a pcr.

namechange30455 · 12/12/2021 15:29

Is your anxiety made worse because your partner is an unsupportive prick?

YANBU to call in sick but why is your partner not supportive of that? Do you get sick pay?

Original poster
Betibop · 12/12/2021 16:19

I just know how difficult things are at work at the moment, we're a small team and I know I'm no better thought of by working while I'm genuinely unwell and I don't have to physically "go" to work, I'm really just a people pleaser and even if I had a limb hanging off I'd still feel anxious ringing in sick and feel like I'd be leaving people in the lurch. I know I shouldn't feel that way but I do.
DH has finally got his head out of his arse though, which is a plus. I've taken 2 lateral flow tests since Wednesday and both negative so know is just a heavy cold. Just feel like shite...

OP posts:
Kitkat151 · 12/12/2021 16:23

@Betibop

I just know how difficult things are at work at the moment, we're a small team and I know I'm no better thought of by working while I'm genuinely unwell and I don't have to physically "go" to work, I'm really just a people pleaser and even if I had a limb hanging off I'd still feel anxious ringing in sick and feel like I'd be leaving people in the lurch. I know I shouldn't feel that way but I do. DH has finally got his head out of his arse though, which is a plus. I've taken 2 lateral flow tests since Wednesday and both negative so know is just a heavy cold. Just feel like shite...
If you are coughing you are required to have a PCR test....work will not be impressed if you have not even bothered to have this although you have been coughing since Thursday.
Emmas85 · 12/12/2021 16:31

@Betibop

I just know how difficult things are at work at the moment, we're a small team and I know I'm no better thought of by working while I'm genuinely unwell and I don't have to physically "go" to work, I'm really just a people pleaser and even if I had a limb hanging off I'd still feel anxious ringing in sick and feel like I'd be leaving people in the lurch. I know I shouldn't feel that way but I do. DH has finally got his head out of his arse though, which is a plus. I've taken 2 lateral flow tests since Wednesday and both negative so know is just a heavy cold. Just feel like shite...
You need a PCR test lateral flows are not for when you have symptoms. These have been the rules for a while now, I don't understand how people still do not get it!
GoodTid · 12/12/2021 16:32

Lateral flows are not to be used if you have symptoms. You need a PCR.

andweallsingalong · 12/12/2021 16:49

Take a PCR OP. Our lfts were negative, PCR was positive...

Gwenhwyfar · 12/12/2021 17:25

@KittenCatcher

Just phone in sick, your colleagues wont appreciate catching a cold the week before Christmas, stay indoors and keep warm with plenty if hot drinks.
Did you not read that she's WFH?
GrumpyTerrier · 12/12/2021 17:25

I had 6 negative LFTs before a positive PCR.

I totally get calling in sick anxiety, its awful. See how you feel tomorrow but if you are sick you are sick and you are allowed to have time off. I always feel weird and guilty about it though too.

Memyselfandfood · 12/12/2021 18:11

DH has finally got his head out of his arse though, which is a plus. I've taken 2 lateral flow tests since Wednesday and both negative so know is just a heavy cold. Just feel like shite

You don’t take lateral flow tests when you have symptoms you go for a pcr test!

How is it we’ve got to 2 years and people still don’t know this?
Do we need a campaign to explain the differences between the two as so many people seem to not know.

HangingDitch · 12/12/2021 18:15

There’s only one question you need to ask yourself - are you fit for work? If not, it’s not unreasonable to phone in sick.

SlashBeef · 12/12/2021 18:18

You need to take a PCR.
Phone in sick if you need time to rest.

CottonSock · 12/12/2021 18:21

Take a bloody pcr test. The rules apply to everyone

Boombastic22 · 12/12/2021 18:39

Honestly, if people with symptoms like yours that sound like bloody covid personified won’t go get a PCR then what hope do we have! A lateral flow is not sufficient.

Honestly if we end up locking down again because of people like you and companies that insist on holding Christmas bloody parties.,,

Take some responsibility and go for a PCR now.

HangingDitch · 12/12/2021 18:50

I tested positive following a PCR two months ago. Had negative LTFs throughout.

HangingDitch · 12/12/2021 18:50

Sorry LFTs, not LTFs.

tallduckandhandsome · 12/12/2021 18:52

@Betibop

I just know how difficult things are at work at the moment, we're a small team and I know I'm no better thought of by working while I'm genuinely unwell and I don't have to physically "go" to work, I'm really just a people pleaser and even if I had a limb hanging off I'd still feel anxious ringing in sick and feel like I'd be leaving people in the lurch. I know I shouldn't feel that way but I do. DH has finally got his head out of his arse though, which is a plus. I've taken 2 lateral flow tests since Wednesday and both negative so know is just a heavy cold. Just feel like shite...
If you have a persistent cough, you need to take a PCR test. Lateral flow tests are for when you don’t have Covid symptoms.

Definitely call in sick, you will just prolong the illness if you don’t rest.

Blossom64265 · 12/12/2021 18:55

You are perfectly allowed to have a sick day even if you WFH. DH and I both both WFH for years before the pandemic started. We have always taken sick days as needed.

Glitteryone · 12/12/2021 19:49

I manage a team who all WFH on a perm basis and of course they are allowed sick days.

If you’re ill and not fit to work, then off course you should call in sick.

CheesyFootballsAreEvil · 12/12/2021 19:51

Could you always start the day and see how tou get on? If not worry about it. People get ill.