Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Got covid - Bit annoyed with co-worker

78 replies

notthecarebears · 01/10/2022 17:38

Hello all. I want to start out by saying I'm not a Mum, I was just curious about this site and honestly I decided to try my luck. I need someone with a sound mind to help me out here because I'm very angry about this

Last Saturday (24th) my co-worker lied about having Covid and said they had a cold. Co-worker said she'd be fine in a few days and how it was just a little sniffle, nothing some vicks vapo rub couldnt cure etc. I've caught it from her despite being almost military like with washing my hands and keeping myself safe. Wednesday night and early Thursday morning my fever spiked from normal to 40 and I think at some point it got higher. I've been suffering on and off for a couple days with fever, its been miserable.

I took a covid test a few hours ago, it was positive. I'm living with my parents right now because of reasons and my Dad is on two different type of Medication for Arthritis that suppress his immune system. My parents are on holiday and are set to come back Monday, Im dreading them coming home only to catch covid from me. They've done so well the last few years to not catch anything

AIBU in wanting to tell my boss? I dont think she knows my coworker lied, she's very big on people staying home if they're too unwell to work. Also how should I tell my parents about this?

Thanks in advance and sorry for this rambling mess of words

OP posts:
balalake · 01/10/2022 18:00

@GroggyLegs you have done tests, you can tell dates etc. You have been responsible, the OPs colleague has not been it seems.

Notlosinganyweight · 01/10/2022 18:02

I don't see how you can directly trace it back to her. You could have caught it anywhere. She is not obliged to be off sick either as there are no rules about this and if she felt fine, why would she take time off when she might need the leave for something else that is more severe and most workplaces only expect a certain number of absences a year.

I wouldn't speak to your boss as I think it will just draw negative attention to you.

It's shit being ill,but we don't live in a world that has unlimited sick leave.

Notlosinganyweight · 01/10/2022 18:03

Plus people can carry it with no symptoms whatsoever. What do you think of those people?

Theluggage15 · 01/10/2022 18:05

Don’t be ridiculous. As with any virus you can catch covid anywhere. And your parents are on holiday, what are they doing, walking around in Hazmat suits? There’s no need to test anymore anyway, you have no more idea that she had covid than any other virus so whining to your boss will make you look like an idiot.

Hearthnhome · 01/10/2022 18:05

notthecarebears · 01/10/2022 17:57

@Hearthnhome Umm... My Mum had cancer. So no they didn't
@everyone my parents went to derbyshire to celebrate my Mum being in remission

Thank you for your kind "help"

And to @WagathaChristieMystery - Im dreading telling my parents. But thank you, this has given me some courage

Ummm are you seriously suggesting your mum and dad have not mixed with anyone for 2.5 years, including you and despite going on holiday?

Scianel · 01/10/2022 18:07

You have no evidence you caught it from your colleague or that she lied. She was well enough to come to work so she did.
It isn't 2020 any more, we don't get to blame other people for getting viruses. Stop it.

GreenWheat · 01/10/2022 18:07

I don't get why people always want to blame people they don't like or whose behaviour they disagree with for giving them covid when the reality is that you could have caught it from any public place. It's ludicrous.

user1496146479 · 01/10/2022 18:08

hulahooper2 · 01/10/2022 17:46

Do you proof your colleague had covid ? You could’ve picked it up anywhere , no offence , but your VM parents can’t be too worried if they went on holiday .

Exactly this

Clymene · 01/10/2022 18:08

Most people don't know they have it nowadays. Unless you work in care or are a HCP, there's no obligation to test for most of us.

MadCattery · 01/10/2022 18:09

I live where plants and flowers produce pollen in all seasons. I thought my allergies were acting up, until the cough began. Co worker and I both tested positive, but worked a couple days before the test and felt bad. Fortunately, none but the two of us caught it. Other than a cough, I would have thought it was allergies, or a cold at worst, and wouldn’t have even tested. I have a very, very bad heart, so was told it was dangerous to get Covid, but it was a cold with a cough and I came through fine. I hope if your parents get it, they are as fortunate as I was.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 01/10/2022 18:09

balalake · 01/10/2022 18:00

@GroggyLegs you have done tests, you can tell dates etc. You have been responsible, the OPs colleague has not been it seems.

We don't know for definite that the colleague wasn't acting responsibly it's an assumption that the op has made

CheezePleeze · 01/10/2022 18:11

Do you think your parent are irresponsible for going on holiday and potentially catching Covid, which in turn could've infected you?

I'm baffled that you seem to think businesses could even survive if everyone went off sick, the second they got a sniffle just incase it might be Covid.

BlodynGwyn · 01/10/2022 18:12

I'm almost 70 and on meds to suppress my immune system. I have have covid right now. My husband gave it to me because he has been thumbing his nose at it and thinks it would be better if we got it. We live in a remote area of the US, on a ranch/farm. I never go anywhere except do a grocery shop a few times a month and doctors appointments. I have been careful, but not in my own home. I'm fucking furious at him!

For gods sake deep clean their house and get out before they come home! I honestly don't think I'll fully bounce back from this. Protect your parents.

MajorCarolDanvers · 01/10/2022 18:13

How do you know she lied? Maybe it was a cold.

How do you know you caught Covid from her?

Rainraindontgoaway · 01/10/2022 18:13

How do you know they lied? Did they tell you they had done a test which was positive and still came to work?

plus, if your parents are on holiday were they just as much as risk as catching there. Sounds like you anger is misplaced. YABVU.

ReeDeeHee · 01/10/2022 18:13

I think YABU to be annoyed with colleague.
1- she may not have had covid. I've had a cold this week, tested everyday with leftover LFTs, all negative.
2- Even if she did, there is no legal need for her not to come to work if she feels OK.

CheezePleeze · 01/10/2022 18:16

BlodynGwyn · 01/10/2022 18:12

I'm almost 70 and on meds to suppress my immune system. I have have covid right now. My husband gave it to me because he has been thumbing his nose at it and thinks it would be better if we got it. We live in a remote area of the US, on a ranch/farm. I never go anywhere except do a grocery shop a few times a month and doctors appointments. I have been careful, but not in my own home. I'm fucking furious at him!

For gods sake deep clean their house and get out before they come home! I honestly don't think I'll fully bounce back from this. Protect your parents.

For gods sake deep clean their house and get out before they come home! I honestly don't think I'll fully bounce back from this. Protect your parents.

Protect the parents who have chosen to go away together on a holiday? Confused

BeanStew22 · 01/10/2022 18:16

Hi OP - I’m sorry to hear that, I’ve just recovered from Covid myself, took about 9 days from 1st symptoms to get clear tests though

It’s normal to be angry & frustrated about catching it from others (I am a bit!) but raising it at work will only cause problems

Let your parents know so they can ideally stay away from you (could they eg stay with a relative next week?). Or is there any way you could stay elsewhere (I appreciate a hotel would be v pricey: any friends/relatives who’ve just had Covid & could let you stay?)

Otherwise you will need to isolate as best you can at home - FFP3 masks (order now), disinfect everything & try to use a different bathroom than your parents and stay in your room and get them to bring food to you. My family have had to do this

If your parents have recently had boosters you may be lucky and they won’t catch it

BirdinaHedge · 01/10/2022 18:17

Your co-worker was completely irresponsible. She could be endangering other people. She should have let you know, and worn an N95 mask, and kept as far away from you as possible.

It's difficult, because employers are now requiring people to work if they feel well enough, but if so, people need to take steps to protect others. Mask wearing is the least your colleague should have done.

YellowTreeHouse · 01/10/2022 18:19

YABVU. She doesn’t have to tell you anything at all. She can work with covid with no issues.

If she feels well enough to be at work, she can be at work. No need to test or inform anyone.

You can be as angry as you like but we all have to live our own lives now.

Sitdowncupoftea · 01/10/2022 18:20

If your co worker knowingly had covid and went into work with it then yes tell your boss. If not you can't prove otherwise.

YellowTreeHouse · 01/10/2022 18:20

but if so, people need to take steps to protect others.

@BirdinaHedge No, they don’t need to at all. You may want them to, but that’s entirely separate. They don’t even have to tell you they’re feeling unwell.

YellowTreeHouse · 01/10/2022 18:20

Sitdowncupoftea · 01/10/2022 18:20

If your co worker knowingly had covid and went into work with it then yes tell your boss. If not you can't prove otherwise.

Perfectly fine to work with covid.

LIZS · 01/10/2022 18:23

Had she known/said she had covid what would have changed? There is no mandate to stay at home if you are well enough to work. Can you move out, isolate in room or parents stay elsewhere until next weekend (10 days post test is suggested for avoiding more vulnerable contacts). However it is just as likely they will have had a contact or contracted it on holiday.

Thesearmsofmine · 01/10/2022 18:23

Has your coworker actually tested positive for covid? Or you just assuming that she had it and that you caught it from her? You can pick it up anywhere so unless you have seen absolutely nobody else there is no way you can prove you caught covid from her.
Also she hasn’t done anything wrong by working even with covid, you say your boss doesn’t like people coming in when too sick to work but presumably your coworker wasn’t too sick to work.