Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to go into work with a cough?

22 replies

StarryNightSewing29 · 08/01/2023 21:48

I’ve been ill since Boxing Day, not Covid, just feeling tired and coughing. I can be ok for ages at a time, then get a coughing fit.
I’ve been back at work since Wednesday 28th and I’ve tried my best to not cough too much whilst at work, but sometimes I just can’t help it.
When I do cough, I cough into my sleeve, certainly not without covering my mouth.
We don’t get sick pay, and apart from the coughing, I’m perfectly able to do my job.
One of my colleagues is getting shitty with me though. It’s got worse as the days go by and last week he told me to ‘go home and do us all a favour’.
I was able to work in a separate room on Friday, but can’t do that any other day of the week.
I understand that he doesn’t want to catch it too, but AIBU to go in?

OP posts:
DoesItMakeYouFeelBetter · 08/01/2023 21:51

Have you been proactive in taking something to smooth the cough when it comes?

Anisina · 08/01/2023 21:53

StarryNightSewing29 · 08/01/2023 21:48

I’ve been ill since Boxing Day, not Covid, just feeling tired and coughing. I can be ok for ages at a time, then get a coughing fit.
I’ve been back at work since Wednesday 28th and I’ve tried my best to not cough too much whilst at work, but sometimes I just can’t help it.
When I do cough, I cough into my sleeve, certainly not without covering my mouth.
We don’t get sick pay, and apart from the coughing, I’m perfectly able to do my job.
One of my colleagues is getting shitty with me though. It’s got worse as the days go by and last week he told me to ‘go home and do us all a favour’.
I was able to work in a separate room on Friday, but can’t do that any other day of the week.
I understand that he doesn’t want to catch it too, but AIBU to go in?

He's being a dick. Post viral coughs can last for weeks.

ily0 · 08/01/2023 21:54

Ugh I can’t stand the ill people who come into the office. I’ve ended up with so many unnecessary illness because of it. I don’t blame your colleague for being annoyed as likely she will be ill now.

Anisina · 08/01/2023 21:54

Sorry didn't mean to quote the OP. I know it's annoying.

Anisina · 08/01/2023 21:56

ily0 · 08/01/2023 21:54

Ugh I can’t stand the ill people who come into the office. I’ve ended up with so many unnecessary illness because of it. I don’t blame your colleague for being annoyed as likely she will be ill now.

Would you stay off work for weeks with a cough? Even if you didn't get sick pay?

PiccalilliPops · 08/01/2023 21:57

It seems unlikely you are still contagious so it’s just unpleasant for you and them now.

Try Robittuson from any pharmacy. It’s a cough suppressant and helped my DP enormously with post viral/COVID cough. Stopping coughing reduced the inflammation enough for it to improve.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/01/2023 21:58

If you don't get sick pay well then I can see you're not left with much of a choice but to go in. Just have a bottle of water and a ready supply of murray mints with you to try and quell it.

ily0 · 08/01/2023 22:01

Anisina · 08/01/2023 21:56

Would you stay off work for weeks with a cough? Even if you didn't get sick pay?

Show quote history

It’s not just a cough, she’s said she feels ill and tired so it’s clearly a virus. Yes I would. Everyone is entitled to SSP.

Theluggage15 · 08/01/2023 22:01

Post viral coughs can last weeks and aren’t contagious, he’s being a dick. Tell him to stop moaning.

Anisina · 08/01/2023 22:02

ily0 · 08/01/2023 22:01

It’s not just a cough, she’s said she feels ill and tired so it’s clearly a virus. Yes I would. Everyone is entitled to SSP.

Show quote history

Lucky you that you can afford to live on SSP.

Theluggage15 · 08/01/2023 22:04

ily0 · 08/01/2023 22:01

It’s not just a cough, she’s said she feels ill and tired so it’s clearly a virus. Yes I would. Everyone is entitled to SSP.

Show quote history

SSP is far too low for the majority of people.

LCforlife · 08/01/2023 22:05

ily0 · 08/01/2023 21:54

Ugh I can’t stand the ill people who come into the office. I’ve ended up with so many unnecessary illness because of it. I don’t blame your colleague for being annoyed as likely she will be ill now.

People can have a cough for weeks or even months. If she's been unwell for over a week she's very unlikely to be contagious and can't be off indefinitely. If she doesn't have a fever and feels ok she needs to go to work.

I'd do a Covid test to double check.

ChristmasCakeAndGin · 08/01/2023 22:05

Sounds post viral and probably not infectious.

I hate when people come in and say "Oh I had a terrible night - up all night vomiting with a stomach bug!"

Bloody great. Thanks for bringing it in to the office.

Bringonsummer19 · 08/01/2023 22:07

i would figure out why you still have a cough (I realise the challenge of trying to get to see a GP) but no cough should last this long

namechangeforthisoneeee · 08/01/2023 22:09

Bringonsummer19 · 08/01/2023 22:07

i would figure out why you still have a cough (I realise the challenge of trying to get to see a GP) but no cough should last this long

It's been two weeks. That's really not cause for concern

Rainbow1901 · 08/01/2023 22:10

Viral coughs hang around for weeks. Had two colds over three weeks passed on by GCs which were gone by new year. But still have an irritating cough. Tried decongestants, cough mixture, soothers - nothing lasts long though!!
Tell your colleague if he'll pay for you to stay home then consider it done!! And when he's in the same position with an irritating cough that won't go that you will remind him what a twat he's being!!

Mariposista · 08/01/2023 22:19

Your colleague sounds like an absolute arsehole!
So sorry you have been unwell. Don't suppress your cough - it is your body's way of clearing your lungs and stopping any infection settling there, turning into a chest infection. Obviously don't cough over people (I'm sure you aren't doing that) but if your body needs to cough, it needs to. Post viral coughs can take weeks to go and it's really draining.
Get plenty of fresh air, and see your GP if it really isn't clearing. Get well soon!

JenniferBarkley · 08/01/2023 22:46

Theluggage15 · 08/01/2023 22:01

Post viral coughs can last weeks and aren’t contagious, he’s being a dick. Tell him to stop moaning.

This. Has he never had a cough or cold before?! I get a cough with every cold and have two small children so I get a lot of colds. If I stayed off with every cough I'd be fired, I'm fine to be in work.

HallieHufflepuff · 08/01/2023 22:48

You should go home. I'm very vulnerable and hate when people come into the office ill and cough and spread germs.
But if your company doesn't pay sick pay, it's their fault for not looking after their employees, not yours.

Jobsfor2023 · 09/01/2023 23:24

  1. Just because someone has a cough does not mean they’re contagious

  2. Using a cough suppressant is not disturbing ‘natures way’ or other bullocks. There are things such as non-productive coughs v common after a virus.

Doesn’t surprise me we’re a nanny state given the lack of really basic knowledge among some people.

UrsulaPandress · 09/01/2023 23:27

I’ve got ‘the cough’. As has DH and DD. It’s bloody grim and pretty embarrassing out in public. But we aren’t ill.

Go to work.

KilmordenCastle · 09/01/2023 23:31

ily0 · 08/01/2023 22:01

It’s not just a cough, she’s said she feels ill and tired so it’s clearly a virus. Yes I would. Everyone is entitled to SSP.

Show quote history

Yeah I'm sure you'd really stay off for weeks on SSP for a cough 🙄🤣

OP, your colleague is being a dick! Ignore him and don't let him get to you. YANBU to go to work. The bills aren't going to pay themselves.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page