Being expected to work when ill

[TwoCatsTwoHats]

Fifth day off work with Covid. Possitive lateral flow, still awaiting PCR result which I took on Friday. Symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, nausea and the headache from hell. Feel like I have temp but don't own a thermometer so can't be sure. In short, I feel ill. I can't think straight or do my work properly. I just want to sleep.

However...
I'm a key worker in a sector that is struggling at the moment with staff absence.

Each day I've had to call in sick in the morning. I'm expected to join in via zoom with meetings and work from home. I'm not feeling up to it - I'm feeling quite ill.

Employer seems obsessed with Omicron being a mild illness and is making me feel increasingly stressed about being off work when there's so much work to be done.

I know IANBU but AIBU to ask those of you who've experienced this at work, what you did? It's not easy for people where I work to speak out as life can then be made rather difficult for them. I can't handle the stress that awaits me when I return if I don't just go along with it now.

(Name changed)

You're giving them mixed messages by checking emails etc

Just go off sick and let that be the end of it.

You're making this more complicated than you need to.

You self certificate for a week, you switch your phone and laptop off and you go to bed.

Covid is mild, my covid was fine and I could wfh through it no problem. But your run of the mill cold can be awful and have you in bed, so it's not "because covid" it's because your employers are being unreasonable.

Absolutely an out of office email that you are off until further notice and to contact x for anything urgent.

Phone up "too ill to work again today" hang up, switch of phone, don't check emails.

You don’t need a sick note for 28 days now (instead if the 3 before).
I’d state you are off sick (nit just self isolating) and self certify instead

I wouldn’t fight them too hard. It’s too easy for them to say that if you’re capable of responding to all their communications then you’re capable of work. Start ignoring them.

@LethargicActress

I wouldn’t fight them too hard. It’s too easy for them to say that if you’re capable of responding to all their communications then you’re capable of work. Start ignoring them.

This ^

Firstly, get hold of a copy of your company's sickness absence policy. You are not self isolating, you are ill. You could easily have Delta, as it's still widely circulating. Even Omicron isn't always as mild as some make out. You should not be checking mailing lists, running meetings, attending meetings or doing anything else except concentrating on getting well. I agree with a previous poster who said you were giving mixed messages. Send in written confirmation that you have Covid and will be off work until at least day 8, then switch everything off and don't engage.

If you've called in sick and are off work (not just isolating/ working from home) then why are checking your emails and responding to work queries at all?

You say you have brain fog but seem capable on here. Hmmm

Is definitely copy HR in or drop them a quick email. Disgusting behaviour from your workplace.

@jontyl there is always one

She's hardly going to be lying on an anonymous advice forum is she

Rest up, hold your own and get well soon Op!

@MatildaTheCat

I had covid last week and felt bloody unwell for several days. I actually developed a cough and shortness of breath after I was testing negative on day 12.

You tell your employer in words of one syllable that you are off sick. If possible get someone else to make the call for you if you have to ring in every day.

If it was always a mild illness I imagine there wouldn’t be over 2000 people a day being admitted to hospital.

Get well soon.

How many days in a week round your way then ?

@CheshireKitten123

OP, You are ill. You are infectious. You need to stay at home and self-isolate until you are better. You should not be expected to do Zoom meetings - that's pants.

When you are better you might like to think about a change of job.

^ this Have you called in sick? If you are sick, you are sick and under covid sickness five days self certifying has now been extended to 28 days I believe (in Wales). Why are you logging on? You have a duty to call in sick but that’s it!

My work expect staff to phone in sick every day and I refuse to do it. I’m rarely off. When I am off sick, I’ll call in sick straight away, tell them when I expect to be back then phone them if for any reason I can’t return when expected. Just calmly and politely say you’re off I’ll, you won’t be taking part in zoom meetings, you’ll be back in expected date. Don’t enter into any further conversation. Ignore any contact made until you return to work.

I am struggling to understand what is going on here.

Why do you keep logging on to work computer? You are off sick.

Just call in and say you cannot work, and that's it. If they ask can you just do ABC say sorry no I cannot. I am too unwell.

Have you actually called in sick? Or are you working and feeling unwell and now feel too unwell to work. Then you need to actually phone in sick.

You are probably confusing your employer by logging in and doing some work but then saying you are too unwell to do others. You are.either well enough to work or not.

Just phone in sick in the morning and turn you phone/laptop off once you have notified them.