WWYD - first day back after mat leave, calling in sick

[Ohtheaudacity]

This morning I fell down the stairs. I went absolutely arse over tit, use my arms to break my fall and tobogganed down the stairs on my bum. I haven’t broken anything but I am battered and bruised. I can hardly walk due to my back and can’t lift my arms above my head. I’m due back at work on Monday after a year of maternity leave, I can’t bring myself to phone in sick on my first day back but can’t imagine a full on work day like this. Is this worth a 111 call tomorrow to hopefully get some good painkillers so I can power through? I can already see big areas of bruising coming out on my bum and outer thighs. I’ve got myself in a bit of a tizz about letting everyone down.

Hopefully if they're a reasonable employer then they'll understand

I would have thought there is a fair chance you will be fine by Monday (and yes I have fallen downstairs myself). I’d see how it goes. If you are not in any need of medical aid right now then I wouldn’t ring 111 either, but if you feel you need some advice then go ahead.

Depends on your job maybe? If it’s really physical I don’t think it’d be a good idea to go in, but somewhere you can rest a bit then maybe?

I suppose it depends what you do for work/how far you have to travel and how you get there? Is it a very physical job? If not I’d probably be tempted to let them know but pop a couple of co-codamol (if the pain is severe) and power through.

That's bad timing. But if you can't go, then you can't go. Any scope for extra leave / WFH?

I had to go to A&E with DC2 on the day I went back after 13 months ML. I'd also just dropped down to PT hours as well.

DC had croup and I'd left her with daddy for my return to work but we had to take her to A&E that evening. Wasn't home until 2am and dragged myself in the following day as well. I felt as she was with dad / wasn't admitted then I could endure it.

I once started a job the day after falling out of the loft because I didn't feel I could not! 🙈 I could just hear my mum in my head saying if you can walk you can work!

I use Arnica on bruising, if you have any it works well.
A few other things here www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-bruises#natural-treatments
For pain you may as well get otc ibuprofen or cocodamol. A pharmacist will advise you which is best. I doubt A&E will give you anything stronger. They gave me 2 paracetamol for a broken leg.

Ibruphen. Youl'l be fine. Its tough going back to work when you've been off a year but you will get back in to the swing of it

Depends on your job. If it’s office based and you can sit (even with an extra cushion or two) and type then by Monday you should be able to go. Principal at the Royal Ballet? Maybe not.

Call in sick. It happens. They've managed for a year they can manage for a week.

I reckon you'll manage by Monday. I fell down the stairs and tore my shoulder tendon (didn't know this at the time!) and went to work that day, even though I could barely move my arm. However, if you're not as stupid stoic as me, there's no shame in calling in sick.

I did similar a few years ago. I had some diazepam for something else so took one so I’d sleep and relax a bit. I felt sure I’d feel much worse the next day but I didn’t feel as bad as I expected. I did work at home for a couple of days but could have gone in. I’m sure your boss will understand if you really can’t go in, not much you can do

A week off ?

What world do you live in?

I called in sick on my first day back from Mat leave if it makes you feel better. 😁
DD had 2 settle sessions at nursery the previous week and picked up a bug which she kindly gave me. I was throwing up and had to phone in. A good employer won’t mind

I got flu the week I was due back and had to have a week off. It was taken as sick leave. Sometimes it happens like that.

I called in sick on my first day back. I had a really awful cold, shivers, bad temp and hacking cough with no sleep, awful head and I couldn't get out of bed. Actually I think I maybe asked if i could take it as holiday as i felt so bad about being sick. But I had worked there for ages and have worked there a long time since and actually people form an impression of you over time, not just over what happens on one day. If they know you they will know you're not taking the piss and wont hold it against you. Its actually better to be off sick after a period of absence than when you're at the end of a project or something

Any reasonable employer will understand. They can do without you for an extra few days, it’s actually much better timing than further in when you are taking on lots of responsibilities again.

You haven't said what your job is so it's honestly hard to comment really!

I caught norovirus the day before my first day back, and was in no state to go in on my first day.

I had to wfh on my first day, which was fine as I could do that in my role, but it wasn’t what I had planned. I was worried my team would think I was lying but there wasn’t much I could do.

Exactly. I wouldn't think twice about this, other than to feel very sorry for you.

They know you. I'm sure they are not going to think you are so desperate for extra leave that you would invent falling down the stairs.

I had to phone in sick on my first day of a new job as I had the flu. I couldn’t even stand up so didn’t have much choice. I started 3 days late. It was embarrassing but no one died 🤷‍♀️.

If your not feeling better on Monday just let them know.

Was my first day back from ML the week before last and we call came down with a really bad flu. I work with patients so had to call of for three days, my manager was understanding as she could hear how unwell I was and would put people at risk. It happens see how you feel tomorrow evening to give them a heads up

Depends on the job. If it’s an office job, you’ll probably be totally fine by Monday, I wouldn’t even think twice. But if you have a manual job and walk around a lot then maybe you’ll just have to see how you feel on Sunday night. Are you looking for reasons to not go back ?

My first day back in the office following ML, I got a call from my daughters nursery at midday saying they thought she had hand, foot and mouth! So I lasted a matter of hours. Whilst I was off with her I caught the flu and called in sick for the next week. Daughter was 12 months old at the time but I remember weeing a bit every time I coughed and wetting myself entirely every time I had a violent coughing fit. I was utterly miserable.

I very nearly handed my notice in actually - because i felt like it was always going to be like this, catching every bug going from her. Work were very understanding and totally sympathised with my 'new' life. I ended up there for a further 4 1/2 years until I went on ML with my second.

I did fall down the stairs myself actually - I was rushing to get DD1 some milk before she 'properly' woke up and slid down. Broke my foot in two places and husband and I were in A&E until 2am on the Saturday night. I was back in at work with my crutches on the Monday morning so you might get lucky and be ok for then! Please don't feel bad if you don't though. As someone else said, I think it's easier for you to be off slightly longer when you haven't been in for so long.