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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No reply from boss

68 replies

RudeBoss · 08/02/2022 11:23

So I've got covid and am pregnant and feeling really rubbish today with a temperature, headache etc. I emailed my boss to let him know that I wouldn't be working today and I've had no reply. He's been sending work emails to me since and has asked others to do some work for me on my behalf so he's definitely read my email.

AIBU to think that it would be polite to reply to me. Just a simple ok, hope you feel better soon email? Or am I just being overly sensitive?

OP posts:
2020in2020 · 08/02/2022 11:27

Hahah do you work for my old boss? Took me telling him I had been signed off for mental health reasons as the perfect time to start reviewing my work, pinging through constant comments and tasks to do.

If you’re ill, you’re not working. Pointless sending you emails that will get drowned in other emails; best to wait until you’re back. He’s being very insensitive. If he is sending emails it would take 2 minutes to reply.

Findahouse21 · 08/02/2022 11:28

Are you allowed to email in? We have to call because emails are easy to miss

HunterHearstHelmsley · 08/02/2022 11:30

Why didn't you call him? And why are you checking your emails?

Original poster
RudeBoss · 08/02/2022 11:51

Yes it's always been acceptable to just email/WhatsApp to let him know about anything like this. We don't have a formal procedure where we actually have to call in.

I've been checking my emails to check for a reply! And seen the subsequent emails. In the meantime I just emailed another director to tell him the situation and let him know that I'd emailed the boss but no response from him

OP posts:
TeddyTonks · 08/02/2022 11:51

Sometimes people are busy, especially if they need to arrange cover while you're off. I couldn't get too upset about this to be fair. You need to log off and rest.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 08/02/2022 11:52

He's probably busy sorting out your workload and giving it to other people.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 08/02/2022 11:53

@RudeBoss

Yes it's always been acceptable to just email/WhatsApp to let him know about anything like this. We don't have a formal procedure where we actually have to call in.

I've been checking my emails to check for a reply! And seen the subsequent emails. In the meantime I just emailed another director to tell him the situation and let him know that I'd emailed the boss but no response from him

So now you are throwing him under the bus with his boss? Shock
MatildaTheCat · 08/02/2022 11:55

Put your email to Out of Office.

Get well soon.

Hb12 · 08/02/2022 11:55

Why did you need to contact another director? You know he's seen it

Original poster
RudeBoss · 08/02/2022 11:57

I don't see how he's too busy to just say OK, hope you're better soon. That would have taken 5 seconds of his time.

I didn't throw him under a bus. I just messaged another director so that he is aware that I'm not working today.

OP posts:
Lampshading · 08/02/2022 11:58

Call in the future if you want a reply?

ZeroFuchsGiven · 08/02/2022 12:00

@RudeBoss

I don't see how he's too busy to just say OK, hope you're better soon. That would have taken 5 seconds of his time.

I didn't throw him under a bus. I just messaged another director so that he is aware that I'm not working today.

I have no idea why you would do that tbh. You know your boss knows you won't be working as you have read his emails. It just to me seems a strange and petty thing to do just because he hasn't instantly replied and is busy sorting out your work.
Pinkstegosaurus · 08/02/2022 12:00

I’d do the same as you OP. In fact I was in your exact situation when I was pregnant with my second only my boss did answer with ‘man up and take paracetamol, it can’t be that bad.’ Best thing to do is log off and sleep if you can.

Lampshading · 08/02/2022 12:01

Also though he probably thinks you aren't reading work emails if you're poorly so no point contacting on there, and if you didn't call perhaps thinks you aren't up to speaking on the phone.

FloBot7 · 08/02/2022 12:14

If it's on work emails I'd assume you weren't checking them after it was sent. Depends on if you have emails on your phone. At my workplace we don't so nobody would expect you to read a reply.

BlancheB · 08/02/2022 12:15

I'd have phoned a manager if they'd not replied to acknowledge that I was off sick. You're saying it would take him 5 seconds to reply but same could be said for you to pick up the phone to your employer.

Poppinjay · 08/02/2022 12:29

If one of my team emails to say they are off, my first thought is how I'm going to cover their role. I would never intentionally fail to reply but it's possible I could think I'd replied but hadn't. Especially if we had others off too and covering them was a challenge.

I hope that the employee concerned would just send me another email, checking I'd seen their first one, and I would then reply with an apology.

If you otherwise have a good relationship with your boss, why didn't you just follow up by email?

KatherineJaneway · 08/02/2022 12:36

If you were sick I'd assume you'd have logged off quickly. He probably got caught up in something then just assumed you'd gone back to bed.

Thiswayorthatway · 08/02/2022 12:38

Pick up the phone

HotelCaliforniaOnRepeat · 08/02/2022 12:39

He may have made a mistake and it's still in his drafts. I've done this before, been distracted by an urgent email notification & thought I'd sent the reply but it hadn't gone.

RedskyThisNight · 08/02/2022 12:40

I would assume you were no longer online so wouldn't bother to respond to the email. You should have rung if you'd wanted him to acknowledge you straight away.

gabsdot45 · 08/02/2022 12:42

Phone him, it's quite unprofessional to not phone when you're sick IMO.

CountdownToChaos · 08/02/2022 12:48

I agree that it's rude of your boss not to reply directly to your email.

Original poster
RudeBoss · 08/02/2022 13:14

I have my emails on my phone so just emailed from there this morning. He would never have expected a phone call, its just not how we work.

Our relationship is up and down to say the least so I'm worried he's just pissed off that I'm sick.

OP posts:
newnameforthis76 · 08/02/2022 13:40

It’s probably just an oversight. I’m amazed it’s bothered you enough to post on Mumsnet about it.

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