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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Employers being unreasonable

42 replies

timestheyarechanging · 14/12/2021 19:43

I have Covid (or did). Ive been ill for about 10 days. Partner got much more poorly and ended up in ICU for 7 days, out of hospital on Sunday eve. he's thankfully out now but is still very ill.
I've been off sick since I tested positive by PCR and still don't feel well. Advice from 119 is to stay indoors. Work called me this morning and essentially said I have to go in as my 10 days isolation is over. It is but I don't feel well. Manager said to me that another manager had it and is back at work so why aren't I?? My son had it and had no symptoms, my daughter had it and was ill for a couple of days, my partner ended up in icu and nearly died. Obviously this affects everybody differently but I'm expected back into work, feeling unwell, just because my manager is.
Do I have to go in? I can't work from home, it's retail

OP posts:
NMC2022 · 14/12/2021 19:44

Can you get a sick note? And no, YANBU, you're sick!

Lazypuppy · 14/12/2021 19:45

Just treat this as normal illness now and get a sick note

dementedpixie · 14/12/2021 19:46

If you're not well after your isolation period then you stay off until you are well enough to go in. You will need to be signed off by a GP

Original poster
timestheyarechanging · 14/12/2021 19:53

Thanks everyone. I can't get though to my GP- been calling them day and night. Can't book on line as I have to go in to the surgery, but I can't!

Employers being unreasonable
OP posts:
ThesecondLEM · 14/12/2021 19:57

This exact thing happened to me, guil tripped into going back to work whilst still unwell and advised by 119 not to ho in until I didn't have temperature.

I have subsequently left said employer

andweallsingalong · 14/12/2021 20:02

Also continued to feel ill after the 10 days. GP happy to give a sick note, so keep trying.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 14/12/2021 20:02

You have isolated for the required length of time, so you need a note from the Dr to stay off any longer. Of course they are going to ask you to go in if you work retail. It is the busiest 2 weeks of the year.

emmaluggs · 14/12/2021 20:06

Advise them you understand you are no longer isolating but you are not well enough to work and therefore won’t be in. It’s stupid to compare same illnesses to different people covid or not. Hope you get it sorted

ChangeChingyChange · 14/12/2021 20:32

You need a sick note from GP. I organised mine just before my 10 days were up as I knew I still felt terrible. You just need to get onto the GP more - can't you contact yours online? Or send an email? Drop in a letter?

Original poster
timestheyarechanging · 14/12/2021 20:55

@sweeney thank you for stating the obvious but I'm up all night coughing, feel dreadful and can't get through to my GP!

OP posts:
negomi90 · 14/12/2021 21:00

If you've been unwell for over 7 days then call your GP and get them to send you a sick note.
This has moved from Covid isolation to normal sickness. Work is right to treat this as normal sickness and expect a sick note.

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 14/12/2021 21:01

I’m sorry but I don’t think they’re being unreasonable. You’ve been off work for an extended period of time due to sickness / isolation. If you still feel unwell you need to get a sick note

DismantledKing · 14/12/2021 21:03

[quote timestheyarechanging]@sweeney thank you for stating the obvious but I'm up all night coughing, feel dreadful and can't get through to my GP![/quote]
Phone them when they open and just stay in the queue until they answer. You need a sick note, and talking to the GP is the only way to get one.

Itsalmostanaccessory · 14/12/2021 21:07

You no longer need to isolate so you can go down to your GP surgery. If you cant speak to them any other way then you'll need to go down there.

You've had your isolation period. Any more sickness time requires a sick note.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 14/12/2021 21:08

Well it might be stating the obvious but it really is the only answer to the question do I have to go in. No you don't have to go in but you do have to provide a Dr note so you need to keep trying them.

WorriedGiraffe · 14/12/2021 21:10

@Itsalmostanaccessory it’s not about isolation, she cant go down there because she’s too unwell!

Agreed tho OP you need to just stay in the line until you get through and ask for a sick note, and then send someone out to collect it for you.

Itsalmostanaccessory · 14/12/2021 21:12

She says she feels unwell, not that she is bed bound.
Sick people sometimes have to go to the doctor even though they are sick.

LaurieFairyCake · 14/12/2021 21:20

Once your isolation period is over go to the doctors and get a fit note

My Dh did this and they signed him off for a month (was very clearly unwell like you)

BBCONEANDTWO · 14/12/2021 21:23

Surely this is still covid but you will need a sick note. Just keep trying your GP they will email you a sick note.

Mumzoo5070 · 14/12/2021 21:27

Also, if you still have a fever you have to extend your isolation period.

SmolCat · 14/12/2021 21:34

Gov website says ‘When to keep self-isolating
If you have a high temperature after the 10 days, or are feeling unwell, keep self-isolating’

CristinaYangismySpiritAnimal · 14/12/2021 21:38

Of course you’re not being unreasonable if you’re unwell. However neither is your employer - you need a sick note.

Carinattheliqorstore1 · 14/12/2021 21:39

@SmolCat delighted someone is sharing useful advice rather than trying to somehow “blame” the OP on this

Asi1 · 14/12/2021 21:40

Would it be self certified for the first 7 days?

blablablafoghorn · 14/12/2021 21:41

Are you vaxxed?

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