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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would it look unprofessional to take a hot water bottle into the office?

66 replies

riotlady · 27/07/2022 09:15

Hi :) I’ve been off for work for a week with food poisoning and desperately need to get back into the office. D + v has mostly settled down (was still throwing up yesterday so working from home today) but I’m still getting terrible pains in my stomach and back. A hot water bottle is helping a bit. I really need to go into the office tomorrow to do some work that can’t be done from home- would it look really unprofessional if I was sat at my desk with a hot water bottle on my tummy? I work with a lot of older gents and a natural assumption might be that I’m having period cramps

OP posts:
Canihaveacoffeepleasexx · 27/07/2022 09:17

Iv always had a hot water bottle in the office, at least in the winter. Lots of people do. Even if it was period pains it’s even more of a reason to do it. I don’t think anyone will notice ☺️

olympicsrock · 27/07/2022 09:20

You are not well enough to be back in the office. That is what would be unprofessional.

itsgettingweird · 27/07/2022 09:20

Until I had my hysterectomy a few weeks ago I often had a tens machine attached to me or heat patches or even a wheat bag tucked into my trousers Grin

No one gives a shit and if you're office based it's probably a lot more discreet than I was as behavioural support in special education.

awwbiscuits · 27/07/2022 09:21

My colleague has a hot water bottle all year round! I think it's a total non-issue :)

Whitehorsegirl · 27/07/2022 09:21

If you need the help of a water bottle to cope you should still be a home, not in the office.

No need to ''martyr'' yourself. Be sensible and work from home.

Janefx40 · 27/07/2022 09:22

I have a soft bag that I can wear over my shoulder. I used to put a hot water bottle in that for period pain so it was slightly more subtle! I'm all about comfort personally. But do check you are well enough before going in! X

Sherrystrull · 27/07/2022 09:22

I think it's fine in terms of the hot water bottle, but as you're working with elderly people I would wait a bit longer before returning to the office if you can.

It sounds like you've had a very nasty bug and it would be awful to pass it on.

Hope you feel better soon.

EarringsandLipstick · 27/07/2022 09:23

olympicsrock · 27/07/2022 09:20

You are not well enough to be back in the office. That is what would be unprofessional.

Exactly.

I know you want to go back to work, but you're not well. Your physical well-being trumps any work task. (Speaking as someone who far too often pushes through when unwell & regrets it)

SalviaOfficinalis · 27/07/2022 09:23

Is it usual for food poisoning to last that long, how do you know it isn’t a virus?
Throwing up in the office would be unprofessional, as would giving everyone else D&V.
A hot water bottle would be fine.

SirChenjins · 27/07/2022 09:24

You're going back less than 48 hours after a D&V bug - that's too early as there's still a risk you could pass it on. NHS advice is to stay off work until you've not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

LIZS · 27/07/2022 09:24

Would adhesive heat patches like deepheat or wilko ones for period pain help?

Ontomatopea · 27/07/2022 09:25

I work with a lot of older gents and a natural assumption might be that I’m having period cramps nothing wrong with that. Just go for it. Make sure you're well enough though.

mindutopia · 27/07/2022 09:25

I’d take the same approach as schools: 48 hours from last d & v episode before you return.

Ontomatopea · 27/07/2022 09:25

SirChenjins · 27/07/2022 09:24

You're going back less than 48 hours after a D&V bug - that's too early as there's still a risk you could pass it on. NHS advice is to stay off work until you've not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

I think a lot of places don't care and would just want you back in tbh

DangerouslyBored · 27/07/2022 09:26

SirChenjins · 27/07/2022 09:24

You're going back less than 48 hours after a D&V bug - that's too early as there's still a risk you could pass it on. NHS advice is to stay off work until you've not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

She says she had food poisoning Confused

ManateeFair · 27/07/2022 09:31

Has your illness been confirmed with tests? If so, do you know it’s definitely something that can’t be passed on? Some food-borne illnesses can. If you are still unwell you need to check all that before going back to work. You don’t sound anything like well enough.

Even if it’s not contagious, being in an office with shared loos while there’s a strong chance you might be throwing up and getting the shits is a bit gross for others.

catfunk · 27/07/2022 09:33

You really shouldn't be going into the office whilst you still have symptoms.
Try taking some strong pro biotic tablets to help repair your gut, that'll help with pain.

NightmareSlashDelightful · 27/07/2022 09:36

Oh dear, I feel your pain — I had food poisoning from chicken once. Never. Again.

I'd give it another day at home, personally.

But broadly speaking, I don't think anyone sensible would have an issue — or even notice — someone working with a hot water bottle. I've worked with lots of people who've done this, for a variety of reasons from a chilly office to period pains to stomach aches.

And so what if they do assume period pains? Let them. Their assumptions are not your problem.

Original poster
riotlady · 27/07/2022 09:36

Thanks everyone for the advice re: hot water bottle.

As for not being well enough to be in, I do get what you’re saying but… a week off for food poisoning is already a long time. I’ve only been in this job for 6 months and there’s important tasks waiting for me. If I can get into the office for one day to get started with what I need from the office, I should be able to do the bulk of the rest from home.

My husband and daughter haven’t been ill at all despite being in close contact with me and I’m pretty sure I know exactly what food caused it, so I really don’t think it was a bug.

OP posts:
GonnaGetGoingReturns · 27/07/2022 09:38

olympicsrock · 27/07/2022 09:20

You are not well enough to be back in the office. That is what would be unprofessional.

This. Don't go back into the office until you're well.

I'll never forget after 3 days of being off with Norovirus my boss demanded I was back in the office (I was like a wet rag, exhausted from puking and diarrhoea) and now I'd tell my boss I wouldn't come in!

Original poster
riotlady · 27/07/2022 09:38

Also no longer have diarrhoea, just some intermittent vomiting, although I do hear you that nobody wants to hear their colleague throwing up!

OP posts:
Cakecakecheese · 27/07/2022 09:43

When I worked in an office it was so damn cold I used to bring in a hot water bottle. And a blanket.

Freckledot · 27/07/2022 09:44

If you’re not well you’re not well. Stay home.

Skelligsfeathers · 27/07/2022 09:48

Do NOT go back into the office. If you are still being sick after a week , you need to see a dr and stay away from other people. Food poisoning bugs like campylobacter can be passed on via door handles and things and can kill people.
It would be really wring and irresponsible of you to go in.

EarringsandLipstick · 27/07/2022 09:49

You sound really unwell @riotlady - I honestly think you need to rest more. I know it feels a long time. But going back when you're still sick is going to make your recovery harder.

If it was something like a persistent cough that you didn't feel unwell with, that would be one thing - but you aren't fit to work when still vomiting!

Also it really doesn't sound like food poisoning if you have had D&V and are back to vomiting. With food poisoning, while it can persist, once you've vomited and it's moved lower down your digestive tract (usually leading to diarrhoea), it's very unusual to vomit again.

I would say you've had an awful gastro bug, and DH & DD lucky to escape it.

Hope you feel better soon 💐