Everyone talking behind my back at work

[Treehouse00]

I work within a team but work on a one to one with a colleague. I have recently got a puppy and as it’s at the puppy stage I have been really more than tired more so at night time. The tiredness has been making me more dizzy than usual which I had to not go in to work today due to the dizziness. My work colleague who I work one to one with told me that everyone is talking at work about how I can’t cope with the puppy at night & how it’s making me so tired I can’t attend work. If anyone says anything to me tomorrow how should I reply back to them as I don’t think it’s right for them to judge me for being tired & not attending work today (just to add my work does not affect their work in any way)

Is the puppy on its own all day? Apart from you going home during the day?

I don't think it's ok to be off sick because you have a puppy. I've had loads of days I've been tired because I've been up all night writing a report, or I've been up all night worrying, or I was late to bed then up in the early hours with DC to sort something out. Sometimes we get tired. Shit happens. We can't just go off sick. If you are genuinely so ill from poor sleep that you absolutely cannot work, then you need to be upfront with your manager and get a plan in place quick so this doesn't happen again.

Sorry I don't have much sympathy.

I would be annoyed working with someone so flakey. You got a puppy and it makes you tired so you get dizzy and cannot go to work . Jesus wept. What about all the staff with a new baby or single parents with kids? Do they get to phone in sick because they are tired? Wise up.

God help your colleagues if you ever have kids. Puppies are bot that hard work. I have recently raised a litter of six, whilst working f/t - admittedly from home, and raising a family and I also have anaemia and lupus. No sympathy at all.

Are you taking iron tablets?
when people are talking rubbish about you try a scattergun distraction technique of doing it back 😂
I was really ill once OP and was told I was inventing it- I had never moaned about illness ever before. Prettyfrustrating. Anyway iron tabets/red meat/orange juice and sleep and you should feel better soon.

I am frequently tired and dizzy because I'm anemic. I have never considered that a reason to call off work.

Nor me @steff13 but it's perhaps a reason that colleagues could get on board with

The puppy excuse is shyte

I'd sack you. You're an entitled pathetic sick-note. Grow up, toughen up and stop stealing money from your employer.

I fucking hate having to carry slackers.

It's annoying when people are flakey and call in sick for small things- which is what this is.
I'm sorry OP, you should suck it up. They aren't saying anything that isn't true. If you really want a dog you are going to have to ride it out.
Imagine if you ever have kids? I've been in to the office on one or two hours sleep when my daughter kept me up most of the night, this includes a 60 mile round commute. You have to carry on as normal.
You must understand that not going in because the puppy made you tired sounds ridiculous?!

Try to solve this, don't let it happen again. Take something for your head for the dizziness and/or get some help with the puppy.

I think I’d find it hard not to be irritated by this as I had to go to work a few weeks after having baby and had to go for two years on very, very little sleep after being kept awake all night. Most parents do. If everyone took time off for being dizzy after no sleep, only the young would go to work.

Most people over a certain age get shit sleep. Kids / menopause / stress / insomnia etc. Life is tough so this reflects badly on you. I do sympathise though OP it’s not fair necessarily, but it’s the reality of life.

Calling in sick for dizziness in itself isn't wrong, I get labyrinthitis which makes me unable to stand vertical let alone drive to work safely.

But the OP sounds like she needs to sort herself out, millions of people have anemia and go to work just fine.

I'm extremely concerned that it sounds like she is leaving a puppy alone for large portions of the day! And this "night feeds" oops, didn't mean night feeds explanation is just absurd.

laughs in chronic insomnia

Does this puppy like eating steak cut chips?

Night feeds?! for a puppy? How old is this puppy?

A puppy, old enough to be sold, shouldn't need night feeds.

I don't blame you co-workers for being fed up.🙄

Yes but do you have a puppy?

Not currently. But I have had three children and anemia and have managed to not call off sick because I was dizzy/tired.

I’m very confused!

Staying off work because you’re tired as you have a puppy is absolutely ridiculous. I’d be mortified calling and and saying that to my boss. Even dizziness, unless you’re collapsing with it, is a joke.
Clearly your iron tablets aren’t working.

Are you leaving the pup all day?!

I am so confused. OP, you don't sound old enough to have a husband or a puppy. Or even a job. Perhaps you can get a newspaper round and bring your imaginary puppy with you.