Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Covid - is this something people are genuinely doing?

100 replies

alldaysleeper · 28/01/2022 13:25

A colleague disclosed to me that out of 4 periods of self isolation for them having Covid or family members contracting Covid only two of these were genuine and they were done to have time off "just to take a break". They said it was no questions asked so why not and lots of other people are doing the same. I've honestly never come across this and was surprised by the sheer brass neck of this person especially in disclosing it. Has anyone else come cross this as I can't believe it's as common as this person would have me believe.

OP posts:
truthfullylying · 28/01/2022 13:28

Undoubtedly some people will do this if possible, but most people are decent.

People who do the wrong thong always say 'loads' or 'most' people do the same, but they're lying to themselves.

bobsholi · 28/01/2022 13:29

To be honest I've considered doing it. I'm almost burnt out and could do with a few days at home. I won't though.

Original poster
alldaysleeper · 28/01/2022 13:48

I honestly don't want to believe the "lots of people are doing it" narrative but also understand why some people may feel the need to do it. I'm just struggling to get my head round it, especially the feeling comfortable enough to disclose it to a colleague part of it.

OP posts:
Stinkywizzleteets · 28/01/2022 13:50

Are these the same people also complaining about the protective measures we had in place going on too long?

BrickingIt44 · 28/01/2022 13:52

I probably would have done it if I didn't wfh home anyway.

TheKeatingFive · 28/01/2022 13:54

Are these people wfh or did they use it to skive off?

I don't know anyone doing this btw, everyone I know dreads having to isolate.

FangsForTheMemory · 28/01/2022 13:54

I don't believe lots of people are doing it but people who take the piss will always take the piss, it's just that COVID gives them a different way of doing it.

Xmassprout · 28/01/2022 13:55

No one I know has openly done this.

Most of our friends and family have young children so a couple of days cooped up at home isn't exactly appealing

Royalbloo · 28/01/2022 13:55

I've heard of people putting orange juice on it as apparently that can make it positive?! Madness!

I0NA · 28/01/2022 13:56

Yes some people are. It’s rife in some sectors - I know some small businesses that have gone bankrupt or had to close because of this.

Caramelvanillafudge · 28/01/2022 13:56

@bobsholi

To be honest I've considered doing it. I'm almost burnt out and could do with a few days at home. I won't though.
God, me too! Grin
Grapesavocado · 28/01/2022 13:59

Well this is an introvert's dream isn't it. I can't come out because we all might die. There'll never be another opportunity like it.

Washermother33 · 28/01/2022 14:00

I can’t understand why anyone would want to be stuck at home for 10 days … if it was 2/3 days then I could see why some might do it .

ShortColdandGrey · 28/01/2022 14:01

Yes unfortunately a few people are doing it. They are abusing the fact that covid absences won't be counted on their sick file. I have had one manager off a lot self isolating due to a close contact, or baby/child having a temperature. I know he is skiving and causing chaos as we then have to cover his office. Would order a test via post instead of going to a drive through/walk in testing site. It has calmed down now with the changes in rules, and with the fact that I was challenging every one of his absences when it was reported to me. So yes some people are taking the piss and are making the situation worse for all the people that they work with.

Caramelvanillafudge · 28/01/2022 14:01

Oh jeez I can. Bloody bliss. Watch crap on TV, read, nap, have baths, order in lovely food …

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 28/01/2022 14:01

Like the cunts who make bogus insurance claims to get a new carpet, there will always be some - but I think it's a small number.
Certainly where I work we are all WFH and some us have been working whilst having Covid.

MaizeAmaze · 28/01/2022 14:05

Doesn't the employer ask for proof in form of the notification to get the return date?

Lolamento · 28/01/2022 14:08

I am not surprise some people do it. Have you heard of the fraud regarding furlough payments?

girlmom21 · 28/01/2022 14:08

My employer asks for proof of a result either way.

But the people doing it are the same people who'd have made other excuses to pull a sicky anyway.

I0NA · 28/01/2022 14:14

To be clear, they are not actually self isolating . They are telling their employers “ My wife / child has tested positive and I’m not triple vaccinated so I need to SI”.

Then they are having 10 days off. As long as they don’t put anything on social media or meet their employer in the pub then no one will find out.

Justcallmebebes · 28/01/2022 14:15

Definitely would have done this as my employers are shite. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the pandemic they suspended all sick pay so if you catch it and have to isolate, you don't get paid

DrFoxtrot · 28/01/2022 14:22

As PP said, there will always be piss takers, it's the same people every time.

ufucoffee · 28/01/2022 14:23

I don't know anyone who has done this but the world is full of skivers who want to be paid to do nothing so it really doesn't surprise me

Winniemarysarah · 28/01/2022 14:24

Of course people do it. We were down from 2000 employees to 400 over Xmas/new year. What a coincidence that over 3 quarters of the workforce caught Covid over Xmas 🙄

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 28/01/2022 14:25

Why do you think the cases were so high over the Christmas holidays? I'm surprised you're surprised! If an employer doesn't ask for proof, then there will always be the piss takers unfortunately.