ill, boss not replying to email

blephly · 2023-03-06T10:01:16+00:00

Should I send a follow up? A text? Pretty crap but we normally wfh, today was going to be an in person meeting then dinner. Me, my boss and then some junior collegues. Boss mainly set it up as she wanted people to meet in person, and I was going to go through a project I'd been doing as the main event, so feel really guilty. Not sure if she has too much to specifically discuss. I have raging tonsillitis which is so bad it's making me gag and can barely speak. Going in is impossible. Emailed at 7am, no reply from boss. Meeting is at 10:30 and have real anxiety there's going to be an awkward 10 mins where people think I just haven't shown up. Should I chase up boss? She has previously mentioned how she can't keep up with email, so not sure if she's not replying to save time, or becasue she hasn't seen it. I do normally always get a reply from her.

SimplySipping · 06/03/2023 10:03

I would try ringing her. If no response after a few mins send a group email so that someone will know. She could be ill herself or travelling.

TheDanceOfTheTomato · 06/03/2023 10:04

Everywhere I've worked, it's policy to call in not just email.

If I didn't receive a response by 9am then I would be following up with a call.

AlisonDonut · 06/03/2023 10:05

It's hard to call in when you can't talk!

Can you email or message a colleague that is also going?

Original poster

blephly · 06/03/2023 10:08

TheDanceOfTheTomato · 06/03/2023 10:04

Everywhere I've worked, it's policy to call in not just email.

If I didn't receive a response by 9am then I would be following up with a call.

I think industries are different but I don't know anyone who would call (or any boss who would want to recieve a call)

Also yes, as others have said talking is pretty hard, I'm not sure what would come out if I did try to call

OP posts:

Shinyandnew1 · 06/03/2023 10:11

Even with raging tonsillitis, I would phone if there had been no reply to my message. I suffer badly and can still get a whisper/croak out.

I would have definitely at least sent a text by 9 if I’d had no reply.

AllWorkYoPlait · 06/03/2023 10:12

Everywhere I've worked would expect a phone call.

If I wasn't sure my message had been received then I'd definitely be phoning and dont understand why you wouldn't?

I'm sure your boss would rather suffer the horror of answering a phone(?) than having you not show up at a meeting you're expected at.

When did everyone become so phone-phobic?

TellSomeoneElse · 06/03/2023 10:14

Personally everywhere I’ve ever worked it’s been policy to call and an email (or a text!) would be unacceptable. Regardless of this though, you’re unsure if she’s seen your email and shes previously acknowledged she misses emails so I would get on the phone asap.

Chowtime · 06/03/2023 10:16

Surely you have to ring if you're off sick?

I'm sure your boss will understand and be fine if your voice is a bit out of sorts because you have tonsillitis.

Billslills · 06/03/2023 10:19

Why on earth haven’t you rung your boss?! Ring them, now! I appreciate you can’t really talk, but to be honest, it would be good for them to also hear sick they are so they know it’s genuine.

donttellmehesalive · 06/03/2023 10:21

I have to call in too but presumably op understands the culture and etiquette of her workplace better than we do.

But I do agree that you should have followed up when you didn't get a reply to your email op, especially as you are the main event at a 10:30 meeting.

GiltEdges · 06/03/2023 10:21

Well, it just looks like you didn't want to go in for the presentation 🤷‍♀️

But either way, is email honestly the only medium you have to communicate in your company, despite the fact people are mostly WFH? I find that unusual. Even if phoning isn't the norm, most companies have other comms options e.g. Teams to help people keep in touch

Shinyandnew1 · 06/03/2023 10:23

If I knew something special was going on where the boss was getting people to come in to specifically meet in person and listen to my project, I would have rung her last night, otherwise presumably your boss and two office juniors have travelled in when they may not have needed to! I’m presuming you weren’t absolutely just fine last night but have woken at 7, totally unable to speak?!

Emptycrackedcup · 06/03/2023 10:30

TheDanceOfTheTomato · 06/03/2023 10:04

Everywhere I've worked, it's policy to call in not just email.

If I didn't receive a response by 9am then I would be following up with a call.

This. Act like an adult!

Original poster

blephly · 06/03/2023 10:30

Well, it just looks like you didn't want to go in for the presentation 🤷‍♀️

I think some of the replies say more about other people's jobs than mine! You don't go into this kind of industry if you're the sort of person who skives because it would be pointless. My boss knows this and I know this.

It wasn't a presentation, my boss wanted everyone to meet in person because she was going in for another event anyway.

Still good for junior collegues to meet her (and go out for dinner), so not a wasted trip for them.

I said I could fill some time by chatting about the project (and save her reading another email from me summarising it) but it certainly wasn't the main event. She still wants to talk to her employees in person.

OP posts:

TheDanceOfTheTomato · 06/03/2023 10:32

Sigh.

OP, if you ask everyone on a public forum whether or not you should follow up then you will get answers based on other people's jobs and experiences. Of course you will!

If your industry is so special with it's own special rpectaices then how the hell are we meant to know if you should follow up or not!

Original poster

blephly · 06/03/2023 10:32

Shinyandnew1 · 06/03/2023 10:23

If I knew something special was going on where the boss was getting people to come in to specifically meet in person and listen to my project, I would have rung her last night, otherwise presumably your boss and two office juniors have travelled in when they may not have needed to! I’m presuming you weren’t absolutely just fine last night but have woken at 7, totally unable to speak?!

This isn't what is happening, and yes, I felt terrible yesterday but was ready to power through.

Got up at 6, tried to shower, accepted it wasn't possible and emailed by 7.

OP posts:

UpendedPineapple · 06/03/2023 10:33

blephly · 06/03/2023 10:30

Well, it just looks like you didn't want to go in for the presentation 🤷‍♀️

I think some of the replies say more about other people's jobs than mine! You don't go into this kind of industry if you're the sort of person who skives because it would be pointless. My boss knows this and I know this.

It wasn't a presentation, my boss wanted everyone to meet in person because she was going in for another event anyway.

Still good for junior collegues to meet her (and go out for dinner), so not a wasted trip for them.

I said I could fill some time by chatting about the project (and save her reading another email from me summarising it) but it certainly wasn't the main event. She still wants to talk to her employees in person.

You literally said in your OP it was the main event

Anyway phone to check email received, or text at the very least.

JudgeRudy · 06/03/2023 10:33

Why can you call on the telephone?

GiltEdges · 06/03/2023 10:35

blephly · 06/03/2023 10:30

Well, it just looks like you didn't want to go in for the presentation 🤷‍♀️

I think some of the replies say more about other people's jobs than mine! You don't go into this kind of industry if you're the sort of person who skives because it would be pointless. My boss knows this and I know this.

It wasn't a presentation, my boss wanted everyone to meet in person because she was going in for another event anyway.

Still good for junior collegues to meet her (and go out for dinner), so not a wasted trip for them.

I said I could fill some time by chatting about the project (and save her reading another email from me summarising it) but it certainly wasn't the main event. She still wants to talk to her employees in person.

Sorry, I clearly got the wrong end of the stick from your OP saying...

Boss mainly set it up as she wanted people to meet in person, and I was going to go through a project I'd been doing as the main event, so feel really guilty.

Original poster

blephly · 06/03/2023 10:36

GiltEdges · 06/03/2023 10:35

Sorry, I clearly got the wrong end of the stick from your OP saying...

Boss mainly set it up as she wanted people to meet in person, and I was going to go through a project I'd been doing as the main event, so feel really guilty.

Show quote history

Can I be excused based on the raging fever?

OP posts:

Emptycrackedcup · 06/03/2023 10:39

An email, then a follow up with text. If still nothing phone, or text another colleague to pass it on. Yoi can't just not turn up to a meeting, extremely unprofessional no matter what industry

Shinyandnew1 · 06/03/2023 10:40

Can I be excused based on the raging fever?

This raging fever doesn’t appear to be stopping you posting on Mumsnet but does mean you don’t appear to be able to text or make a short phone call?

VanGoghsDog · 06/03/2023 10:40

OP: what do I do?
Everyone: this
OP: my industry is so special and unique noone would ever do that, oh it's so hard to know what to doooooooo

FordCreek · 06/03/2023 10:41

You should have phoned no matter how sore your throat is you can still speak presumably?

GiltEdges · 06/03/2023 10:42

Can I be excused based on the raging fever?

Why, because that's an easy excuse for why you go from saying one thing to the complete opposite, when otherwise able to type completely articulately? If it makes you feel better.