AIBU to be annoyed that I am expected to work whilst off work with Covid

[ShirkerWorker]

Shortened story is, I have been expected to be in the office everyday and work over the last two years through the pandemic, which I have done and never missed a day.

Others in my workplace that don't work in the office and are site based have had numerous 10 day isolation periods away from work fully paid because they can't work from home. Some of these individuals have had three or more of these paid isolation periods in the last two years.

I am unlucky enough to have caught Covid last weekend and was told "its ok just work from home" (This has never been an option before) however I have been quite bad for a couple of days with a fever and never leaving my bed.

I am now being questioned as to why I haven't been online replying to emails and ringing people back.

AIBU to be miffed at being criticised for not working whilst being ill while others that haven't been ill tossing it off for 10 days fully paid when self isolating?

It is unclear whether you have actually rang to say you are off sick. If you haven't YABU. You are either on sick leave (in which case you shouldn't be working at all) or you are not (in which case you need to work from home for isolation reasons). Those who can't work from home, can't help that, and neither can your employer.

I don’t understand, you called or messaged your manager to say you are unwell so won’t be in. You then update them daily to say you are unwell and won’t be in
But they message you asking why you aren’t in?

Tell them you are too ill to work.

This is about having boundaries op. If you don't say no then they will push those boundaries.

Having covid doesn't automatically mean you're too sick to work. When you told your boss you had covid, they may have assumed that you were well enough to work.

When you were too ill to work, you should then ring in sick as you would for any other illness.

Today is the first day since the weekend that it feels "like a cold" so I have fired my laptop up and switched my phone on, but I still feel miffed!

You're a better woman than me! I'd be more than miffed.

And would be making it blatantly clear that it wasn't 'tested positive and having to isolate" but "I am ill with symptoms that mean I cannot work"

I think people are more and more used to people testing positive but either not having symptoms, or mild cold-like symptoms.
Just say that you are unwell and need to take time off sick.
One of my team tested positive earlier in the week - we're wfh anyway, but my response was work if you feel OK, or let me know but sign off if you don't.

Have you taken sick leave? Maybe they don't know you're actually unwell enough to be off? A few people at my work have had Covid lately but mildly and they've felt fine to work so have. But one did take sick leave and that was also fine. Were you clear that you are actually off sick?

If you are sick then you're sick

Stop trying to rush back
Put your out of office on
Go back to bed and take it easy

Email your manager to remind him you are off sick with covid and have been since x day when you informed him/her

You can self certify in England for the first 5 days then need GP letter - but GPs are doing that online

I wouldn't worry about having covid sick days no future employer will hold that against you!

Well did you actually tell them on the days you were too ill to work that you wouldn’t be working? Not clear from OP

Have you told them you’re sick? I think for many people covid is now asymptomatic or akin to a regular cold so nothing that would stop anyone working. If they don’t know you’re suffering then I don’t blame them for thinking you should be able to send emails.

I'm sitting at home with covid and I've not been in a for state for anything nevermind work. If you're marked off sick then you don't do work. I'm pretty sure harassing you to work whilst sick is illegal. Protect and trace sent me an email that can be sent to the employer to essentially tell them to bugger off.