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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Sickness new job

64 replies

misssunshine4040 · 29/08/2022 21:53

Posting here for traffic.

I've just worked the first shift of new job which I love. However I began to feel unwell on the way home and for the last 4 hours I have had diarrhoea and sickness and it's not showing any signs of stopping.

I cannot, I absolutely cannot call in sick on my second day.
Does anyone have any tips to help this go away fast and hopefully be gone by the morning? I've been sipping iced water regularly.

I don't feel unwell otherwise, no fever etc

OP posts:

Original poster

misssunshine4040 · 29/08/2022 22:47

ReginaPerrin · 29/08/2022 22:43

I’d be fuming if someone in my team came in with a stomach bug and passed it on to me, so stay home! Is it a job where you can work from home at all (assuming you’re well enough to)?

No I work in hospitality- not serving food or drink

OP posts:

RaininSummer · 29/08/2022 22:47

Should say 'were my new manager '. Edit button please

Mangledrake · 29/08/2022 22:48

PenguinLove1 · 29/08/2022 22:41

To be honest, I would judge someone being off on the second day. It will be a bit better by tomorrow, drink plenty fluids, get some sleep and buy some immodium and cocodamol - the codeine helps stop the cramps and eases the pains.

A lot of people would, but how is it different from any other day, really?

I work in a stressful environment - don't we all though - and my heart sinks when I see managers looking like victims or martyrs. It's bad for them and bad for their team. They don't last long. Don't perform good management. Be a good manager - stay home and remember that everyone is human.

You got this job because you earned it OP, not on condition you never had an infectious condition again. Hope you get a good email back in the morning.

ReginaPerrin · 29/08/2022 22:53

misssunshine4040 · 29/08/2022 22:47

No I work in hospitality- not serving food or drink

Show quote history

Ah well, don’t sweat it - everyone gets ill occasionally, it’s just unfortunate timing. You’re better off staying home for a clear 24hrs. Hope you feel better soon.

justasking111 · 29/08/2022 22:53

OvertiredandConfused · 29/08/2022 22:09

Honestly, if they have anything about them at all it won’t be as big a deal as you think it is. Yes, it’s inconvenient and there will probably be some tutting, but it will quickly be forgotten. Much quicker than you rushing off to the loo every few minutes and then lots of other people being ill later in the week.

I have occasionally had people call in sick in their first week, and even on their first day once. I didn’t decide I wanted to restart a recruitment process on the basis of one or two days sick with unfortunate timing

This in spades. I've sent staff who walked in with a bug home immediately. One Sick person an inconvenience, the whole department plus their families and mine a disaster. Don't be the first Domino to fall.

Original poster

misssunshine4040 · 29/08/2022 22:54

I've asked if I can swap the days over so I'm still working the same hours just a different day instead.
I'm absolutely gutted

OP posts:

Spudlover · 29/08/2022 22:57

It’ll be ok OP, they won’t fire you. It happens.

I had to do the same thing once. Felt really rough on my first day, had to call in sick the second. I had a flu type virus and was shivering so badly I couldn’t keep still. They were fine about it. A little surprised but glad I hadn’t gone in!

Hope you feel better soon then go and smash your new role.

Confundo · 29/08/2022 23:17

I hired someone before who called in on their first day with Noro. I thanked them for being considerate to their new colleagues and not spreading it! They’re still with the company now, in a more senior role too.
I know you feel bad OP, but going to work with Noro is grim, and not just for you. I would be really annoyed if I had to spend a day training someone in only to come down with sickness because of it.

pawkins · 29/08/2022 23:19

Have you taken an antigen test OP as this is a symptom of covid?

Mangledrake · 29/08/2022 23:20

misssunshine4040 · 29/08/2022 22:54

I've asked if I can swap the days over so I'm still working the same hours just a different day instead.
I'm absolutely gutted

Good move.

It's tough now but you'll look back and this won't matter.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 29/08/2022 23:23

I got mumps the first day in a new job! Or that’s what the GP said, and she was prepared to certify it.

it was a dreadful place to work, everyone was ill all the time, and when they weren’t ill, they were grumpy because they were expecting to be. I got another job asap.

Jossse · 29/08/2022 23:25

You could try chopping up a clove of garlic and swallowing it with some water (like paracetamol) I always do this if I get bad stomach/diarrhoea and it always goes away within a few hours. Good luck op.

Candleabra · 30/08/2022 07:13

misssunshine4040 · 29/08/2022 22:54

I've asked if I can swap the days over so I'm still working the same hours just a different day instead.
I'm absolutely gutted

That’s good.
And stop worrying. It’s fine, and if you act over apologetic then it looks more suspicious. You can’t help being ill. Focus on getting better now and and good luck in your new job.

Original poster

misssunshine4040 · 30/08/2022 07:42

I haven't heard back from my boss and I'm feeling slightly better this morning as the throwing up has stopped.
I'm going to go, I honestly couldn't live with myself if I jeopardise my new job and prospects in this cost of living crisis.
I absolutely have to make this work so I'm sure I will be ok. Perhaps it was just a 24 hour bug

OP posts:

Annieisalright · 30/08/2022 07:57

misssunshine4040 · 29/08/2022 22:03

On my second day? I honestly don't think it's acceptable.
I know spreading germs isn't either.

It's a management position and it l call in sick on my second day I can't possibly be expected to be taken seriously and I honestly think they would be looking for a replacement

Of course it's acceptable

I'm shocked you're in a management role and have 0 concept of infection control

lancsgirl85 · 30/08/2022 08:19

misssunshine4040 · 30/08/2022 07:42

Which you will continue to be contagious with for another 24 hours, so you're probably going to infect everyone. 🙄

Mamansparkles · 30/08/2022 08:27

I've worked in places where it would be a formal conduct warning for coming in with vomiting and diarrhoea because it broke health and safety rules and put others in the company at risk.
Don't be daft. Phone your boss and stick with the request to swap hours.

SwissRole123 · 30/08/2022 08:41

I remember years ago someone winning The Apprentice having to call in sick for his first full week because he got a serious dose of the flu and being absolutely mortified.

Even Alan Sugar said "it happens!" You are sick. Stay at home x

LargeglassofRosePlease · 30/08/2022 08:43

I think you are being a martyr. Also very selfish.
Incredibly likely that you are still contagious so very likely you will you pass it on to other people. You say you work in hospitality but not with food. Likely you will pass it to someone who perhaps does work with food.
Great YOU feel better but it is a really selfish approach in my opinion and not a good call going in to work literally a few hours after you have stopped being sick.

Original poster

misssunshine4040 · 30/08/2022 08:48

They are understandably not too happy but I have called in sick.
I'm so worried now about how this is going to impact me

OP posts:

PhilippaPhilpot · 30/08/2022 08:48

Do you get an upset tummy when you're stressed? Obviously I don't know you, but when I'm stressed/anxious or sometimes after the event when I've been worried about something I get an iffy tummy. I usually have it on my first day of annual leave, it's like my body destressing! I wouldn't go in if you think it's a bug but I would if you're feeling okay and you think it's a response to the stress of the new job.

LargeglassofRosePlease · 30/08/2022 08:50

Aah well done you. You’ve made a good call. I am sure it’ll all turn out absolutely fine op.
Rest up and get better 💐

LindsayStauffer · 30/08/2022 08:51

misssunshine4040 · 29/08/2022 22:03

On my second day? I honestly don't think it's acceptable.
I know spreading germs isn't either.

It's a management position and it l call in sick on my second day I can't possibly be expected to be taken seriously and I honestly think they would be looking for a replacement

You have some really warped and uncomfortable ideas about work and health, OP.

You say it's management, is this how you would treat/view your subordinates as a manager? If someone was genuinely poorly would you want them to come in and spread something like that around because of their own issues and beliefs?

Bodies are fallible and people are humans as well as workers, you can't choose when you get poorly and it's ridiculous we're even having this conversation tbh. You say 'I just can't not go in, end of'. Well I promise you if you were poorly enough/hospitalised/hit by a car you wouldn't go in!

Stomach bugs are miserable and spread like wildfire, the last one we caught slayed all three of us (me, DH and DC) for days, it spread around nursery (where we caught it), led to SO much suffering, days off, lost productivity, it ruined a birthday, spread to a friend of mine who was at ours when symptoms started who then had it begin while on a flight to another country which probably spread it further afield... fucking miserable. Don't do this to people.

GlueyMooey · 30/08/2022 08:53

You poor thing OP. Hope you feel better very soon.
Even if they didn't 'sound happy' it doesn't mean they are pissed off with you. They might be pissed off at the situation.

LindsayStauffer · 30/08/2022 08:53

Annieisalright · 30/08/2022 07:57

Of course it's acceptable

I'm shocked you're in a management role and have 0 concept of infection control

Show quote history

Yeah, this is worrying.

My manager is very gung ho about 'if you're sick you're sick, don't come into work until you're better'. I'd be seriously questioning the capabilities of a manager who held the sorts of views OP holds about sickness and work attendance. Poor subordinates. Probably gonna be one of those bosses who demands people come in at death's door cos they're short staffed.

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