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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I should go to work tomorrow but.....

16 replies

Rosebel · 10/07/2022 12:56

Not really AIBU but wasn't sure where to post. I have completed my first week last week at new job. Am due back tomorrow and have almost completely lost my voice. I don't feel especially ill bit of a cough and cold but can barely speak.
Am praying I'll be fine by tomorrow but what if I'm not?
I work with young children all day so it's not a job where you can be silent.
OTOH I don't want to phone in sick on my second week at a new job. At the moment I am thinking I should just go in but I won't be able to do much and I don't really want to risk infecting someone else.
So I'm not sure what to do. WWYD?

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 10/07/2022 12:57

Do an LFT?

ManateeFair · 10/07/2022 13:01

If you really have completely lost your voice it sounds like your cold has become laryngitis and you definitely shouldn’t be doing anything that requires you to talk a lot or project your voice.

EmilyBolton · 10/07/2022 13:25

Is your manager in the office. If so go in, try(!) to explain the situation. Say you feel well but cannot talk..s there any other work you could do? If they can see you are willing but not able they can make the call whether you go home
but if you are infectious you should stay off. Did you do a LFTto be on safe side?

Silverbirch2 · 10/07/2022 13:31

If in a school you need to go in. It will be frowned on if you dont go in for a lost voice.

Stompythedinosaur · 10/07/2022 13:34

Tbh on the second week I would drag myself in if at all possible.

SnowyLamb · 10/07/2022 13:37

I work in school. I'd say don't come in if you're ill, but if it really is just loss of voice, come in and we'll work around it.

We're not currently asking people to do Covid tests.

Yerroblemom1923 · 10/07/2022 13:37

Go in, explain the scenario, and they might give you work that doesn't involve talking. If you've lost your voice you can hardly ring in sick! I recall my dd's school closing because of bad weather and phoning me to let me know to be her - I honestly could hardly whisper, they couldn't hear me it was excruciating!

Yerroblemom1923 · 10/07/2022 13:38

To let me know to collect her, that should read.

2reefsin30knots · 10/07/2022 13:38

I'd go in and find your line manager first thing. Show willing to be at work. They'll tell you whether or not you should go home or give you duties that you can complete.

HayfeverSniff · 10/07/2022 13:57

Is there anyone you can contact today? I only ask as I am a teacher if I go in but am unable to work/with the aim of being sent home ill, it's already too late to get a supply teacher in place so I leave my colleagues having to cover for me which is unfair. This is the same for teaching assistants where the SENDCo has to rearrange staffing to cover the EHCP pupil so the more notice the better. SLT are almost always at their emails so a Sunday afternoon heads up will probably be appreciated.

Is there someone you can email ahead and pre-warn them you believe you have laryngitis and have lost your voice? Ask them should you come in tomorrow or atleast give them some warning you may need to call in ill early morning tomorrow. They may have another person with planned absence already so having an afternoon to sort cover plans is helpful for the headteacher/member of SLT in charge of cover.

People get ill so don't worry about it being your second week! It's not like you've just posted that you want to stay home and sunbathe for example!

Original poster
Rosebel · 10/07/2022 13:58

It's childcare, not a school and I know we aren't busy but in my second week it's not good to ring in sick.
It's a hazard of the job but hoped it would be a bit longer before I got ill.
Okay, fingers crossed my voice will be okay tomorrow, if not I will go in and try to work around it, if at all possible. I do want to show willing and absolutely no chance of calling in sick as I can't talk.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rosebel · 10/07/2022 14:05

I think I still have some training left to do so I will go in and at least do that. After that I will see if there is anything I can do,

OP posts:
L0bstersLass · 10/07/2022 14:23

Do a LFT to rule out C-19.
If you're clear, then go in. There will likely be other work you can do.
It will show that you don't take time off for minor issues.

maddening · 10/07/2022 14:31

Go in and say you are available for work but due to lost voice need to do other tasks if possible, advise you believe laryngitis, they may tell you to go home if they want to prevent infections spreading.

Original poster
Rosebel · 10/07/2022 15:46

We don't have any LTF left. Even if it is Covid (and I'm not sure if loosing your voice is a symptom?) we aren't issolating anymore so I'd still be expected to go to work.
I will go in and let them know my voice is gone and see if there's other work I can do.

OP posts:
balalake · 10/07/2022 16:20

I think you have made a sensible decision, hope your voice is OK tomorrow in any case.

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